The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia, a celebration of Israeli culture, with the aim to enrich the American vision of Israeli society through film.

We are excited to announce that the 29th season of the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia will take place in select venues in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Schedule of Events:

March 12, 2025:

7:30 PM: Full Support - Narberth Theater
Special Pre-Festival Screening for International Women's Day

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 68 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Michael Cohen
Topics: Mother-Child Relationship, Women in Israeli Society

Full Support celebrates the stories and journeys of women in a Jaffa bra shop’s fitting room. In honor of International Women’s Day, join us for a special pre-festival screening of this heartfelt film that delves into the complexities of womanhood, self-expression, and empowerment.

Through intimate moments shared behind the fitting room doors, Full Support highlights the personal narratives of women from various facets of the Israeli society - each with her own triumphs, struggles, and reflections. Don’t miss this exclusive preview ahead of the main festival.

6:30 PM: Light bites at Nana's Kitchen
7:30 PM: Movie

Join us at 6:30 for a pre-screening light bites across the theater at Nana's Kitchen on 109 N. Narberth Ave. Narberth, PA 19072.

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March 22, 2025:

9:00 PM: Bliss - The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 125 minutes
Genre: Drama
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Shemi Zarhin
Topics: Family, Father-Child Relationship

Step into the lives of Sassi and Efi, an endearing couple whose love and humor light up the screen in Shemi Zarhin's acclaimed film Bliss. As they navigate the struggles of life, including the debts left behind by Sassi’s estranged son, their world is suddenly shaken by the arrival of two young men. Sassi’s free-spirited grandson, and a former student of Efi, bring unexpected challenges and revelations that test the strength of their relationship. With a delicate balance of warmth, wit, and raw emotion, Bliss is a profound exploration of love, loyalty, and the bonds that define us.

Starring some of Israel’s most celebrated actors, Sasson Gabay (The Band’s Visit) and Assi Levy (Aviva, My Love), this beautiful drama has captivated audiences worldwide. Premiering as a centerpiece at the Toronto International Film Festival, Bliss has earned critical acclaim for its heartfelt performances and relatable storytelling.

Join us for a gala reception at 8:00pm, with director Shemi Zarhin in attendance. Movie will begin at 9:00pm, followed by a Q&A session with Shemi Zarhin.

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March 23, 2025:

3:30 PM: Children of Nobody - The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2023
Time: 108 minutes
Genre: Drama
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Erez Tadmor

Set in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood, Children of Nobody follows Jackie (Roy Assaf), a former at-risk youth, who inherits the responsibility of running a crumbling shelter for neglected and abused teens after the passing of its founder, Margalit (Tiki Dayan). When the shelter faces demolition to make way for a boutique hotel, Jackie and the residents band together to challenge the municipality and fight for the only home they’ve ever known. Directed by Erez Tadmor (A Matter of Size, The Art of Waiting, both screened at the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia), this gripping tale captures the struggles of marginalized youth and the power of community.

Recipient of the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award at the Kolkata International Film Festival, Children of Nobody resonates with audiences worldwide through its moving performances and themes of social justice and resilience. With its deeply human storytelling and inspiring message, this film offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those often overlooked.

Join us for a Q&A session following the movie with director Erez Tadmor.

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7:00 PM: Soda - The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 96 minutes
Genre: Drama, Historical
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Erez Tadmor
Topics: Family, Holocaust/World War II, Immigrants to Israel

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sea of Galilee in 1956, Soda tells the powerful story of Eva, a seamstress whose arrival in a close-knit community of Holocaust survivors sets off a storm of emotions and questions. As whispers about her past as a possible Kapo during the Holocaust spread, Eva finds herself at the center of a moral conflict. This heart-wrenching narrative explores love, redemption, and the scars of history that refuse to fade.

Featuring performances by Lior Raz (Fauda) and Rotem Sela (Beauty and the Baker), Soda captures the essence of human resilience and the complexities of forgiveness. Directed by Erez Tadmor, the film has already earned critical acclaim, receiving multiple nominations at the 2024 Ophir Awards.

Join us for a Q&A session with director Erez Tadmor following the movie.

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March 25, 2025:

7:00 PM: His Own Way - Narberth Theater

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 120 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Yair Raveh

Dive into the extraordinary career of Avi Nesher, one of Israeli cinema’s most iconic filmmakers. This captivating documentary chronicles Nesher’s remarkable journey through five decades of filmmaking, from his groundbreaking debut with The Troupe to beloved classics like Turn Left at the End of the World and The Matchmaker. Combining personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews with family, colleagues, and film scholars, the film paints a vivid portrait of the man behind the lens.

With his work reflecting the evolution of Israeli society, Nesher’s films have become cultural touchstones that explore themes of identity, history, and resilience. His Own Way offers audiences an intimate and inspiring look at a visionary whose storytelling continues to shape the landscape of Israeli cinema.

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March 27, 2025:

7:00 PM: Midlife - Narberth Theater

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 98 minutes
Genre: Drama
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Danni Reisfeld and Yariv Horowitz
Topics: Family, Judaism, Orthodox-Haredi

Midlife is a deeply moving Israeli drama that explores themes of faith, family, and transformation through the intertwined lives of two sisters. When Ahinoam leaves her ultra-Orthodox husband, she seeks refuge with her estranged sister Sari. Sari, who has long abandoned their religious upbringing, struggles with her own marital issues and a health crisis, creating a tense and emotional reunion. As Ahinoam rebuilds her life within a spiritual community in the West Bank, the sisters grapple with their shared history, divergent paths, and the possibility of reconciliation.

Directed by Danni Reisfeld and Yariv Horowitz, Midlife delves into the complexities of religious identity, familial bonds, and the pursuit of redemption. The film portrays a profound journey of second chances and the enduring power of love.

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March 29, 2025:

9:00 PM: The Ring - Gratz College

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 121 minutes
Language: Hebrew, English, Hungarian with English subtitles
Director: Adir Miller, Doron Paz, and Yoav Paz
Topics: Holocaust/World War II, Immigrants to Israel, Mother-Child Relationship, Orthodox-Haredi

The Ring is a poignant tale of survival, redemption, and family inspired by true events. In 1944 Hungary, a young Jewish mother saves herself and her infant son from deportation by bribing a soldier with her cherished ring. Decades later in Israel, her son, now an observant Jew and estranged from his daughter, sets out to recover the ring as his mother’s health declines.

Their journey to Budapest reveals hidden family secrets, unspoken generational traumas, and the chance for reconciliation. Balancing humor and heartfelt drama, The Ring offers a moving exploration of love, identity, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

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March 30, 2025:

4:00 PM: Highway 65 - The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 102 minutes
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Maya Dreifuss

A compelling drama that delves into mystery and human connection. Set against the sweltering backdrop of Afula, far from Tel Aviv's hustle, the film follows a 41-year-old police officer adjusting to life in a quiet town. Her routine is shattered by the disappearance of Orly Elimelech, a magnetic army widow and former beauty queen, raising a troubling question: why isn’t anyone searching for her?

As the investigation unfolds, the officer’s relentless pursuit of the truth pushes her to cross personal and professional boundaries, unraveling secrets hidden beneath the town’s calm exterior. Winner of the Grand Prix at the Reims Polar Film Festival, Highway 65 is a masterful blend of suspense and emotional depth, offering audiences a gripping cinematic experience.

Join us for a dessert reception (6pm) following the movie, catered by Lilah Events (Zahav Group).

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7:00 PM: Matchmaking 2 - The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Country: Israel
Release Date: 2024
Time: 110 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Language: Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Erez Tadmor
Topics: Family, Judaism, Orthodox-Haredi, Sephardi-Ashkenazi Relationship

Matchmaking 2 (2024), directed by Erez Tadmor, is the delightful sequel to the acclaimed romantic comedy Matchmaking (screened at the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia in 2023). Returning to the vibrant world of macthmaking in the Orthodox Jewish community, the film offers a fresh and witty exploration of love, relationships, and tradition.

With familiar characters navigating new romantic entanglements and societal pressures, Matchmaking 2 seamlessly blends humor, heart, and cultural authenticity. This charming sequel is a standout in contemporary Israeli cinema, offering audiences a captivating and insightful celebration of the search for love in a traditional setting.

Join us for a dessert reception (6pm) before the movie, catered by Lilah Events (Zahav Group).

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Dates: March 22 - 30, 2025

Locations:

Narberth Theater, 129 North Narberth Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072.
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
Gratz College, 7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027.

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