The Israel Film Festival (IFF) is the only Middle Eastern film festival in Singapore and this year, 7 award-winning films will be screened at the festival this July.

Since its inaugural edition in 1992, IFF has presented over 130 films, a host of award-winning talent and received all-round appreciation from members of the international film fraternity and the cinema-loving audiences in Singapore.



(Book your tickets at Cathay's website here!)

The same can be said for Israel’s film industry - Since the Israeli film industry became a major international player in the last 10 years, it was given the opportunity to present Israeli life beyond headlines and slogans. Israeli filmmakers have increasingly turned their cameras to personal, humanistic stories - of love, loss and relationships - and social issues, such as feminism, assimilation, social alienation and multiculturalism.



(Click to read the e-program festival booklet!)

Just this year, six full-length Israeli films made their premiere at Cannes. This new diversity and thriving creative energy shines through in the film selections for this year's festival in Singapore.


Opening Film: Hunting Elephants (PG13)
30 July, 7pm

Genre: Comedy/Crime
Hebrew with English Subtitles, Some English
Director: Reshef Levi
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Sasson Gabai, Moni Moshonov

Accolades: Nominated for 7 Israeli Academy Awards including Best Film




Synopsis
Jonathan is a boy genius with severe social problems. After losing his father in a traumatic event, his mother leaves him in a nursing home with his grandfather, a bitter and hard old man who has never once kept in touch with his grandson. At the nursing home, Jonathan meets a host of extravagant, picturesque figures, including his grandfather Elijah and his friend Nick, past "Lehi" underground members who used to rob banks for their country during the British occupation. Joining them is Jonathan's uncle, an Englishman and a frustrated Shakespearean actor, trying to put his hands on his sister's inheritance. Together, the four go on a journey to rob the bank that has ignored their existence.

(More information on the festival at the official Facebook page!)