After celebrating two decades of film festival magic last year, the Israel Film Festival (IFF) in Singapore finally comes of age in 2013. They are turning 21 and are definitely flaunting their youth and exuberance by planning yet another memorable festival!

21st Israel Film Festival
Date: 28 Aug - 3 Sep 2013
Venue: Cathay Cineplex

(Check out the screening times & films here!)

It’s been a long time coming but Israel has taken its rightful place as a darling in the ever-evolving foreign film industry. For a country so small, Israel has a remarkable film and broadcast industry.

The nation has become an incubator for uncompromising, personal filmmaking and its now-vibrant movie business has produced so many critically acclaimed pictures that the nation has been a foreign film finalist at the Oscars four of the past six years.

(More information on IFF- Singapore Facebook!)



The Israel Film Festival is a celebration of Israeli culture, with the aim of enriching the Singaporean vision of Israeli culture and society through compelling storytelling and cinematography. Every year, the slate of feature films are selected to provide a diverse reflection of Israel telling stories of a vibrant, conflicted, modern society grappling with issues that audiences throughout the world can relate to.

As the only Middle Eastern film festival in Singapore, it has grown larger each successive year, becoming a springboard for dialogue and education. Today, IFF has become a staple in the film festival calendar of events in Singapore, with a solid support from generous sponsors and partners.

Israel Film Festival celebrates 21 years of bringing the best of Israeli cinema to Singapore - presenting you with highly commended films, all telling tales of love, kinship and family ties!

Opening film: Igor and the Cranes' Journey



Director: Evgeny Ruman
Genre: Family Drama
Duration: 90 min
Manguage: Hebrew/ Russian with English Subtitles
Cast: Itai Shcherback, Tomasz Sobczak
Rating: G



Synopsis
Since his parents' divorce, Igor cherishes his annual visits to his dad, a dedicated ornithologist, living in the Russian countryside at a crane observation centre. On an especially rewarding trip, Igor gets to watch the impressive sight of a baby crane hatching. He names the baby "Karl".

When Igor's mother decides for both of them to migrate from Russia to Israel, he must learn to face new challenges, just as the baby crane he observed hatching must soon set out on his first migration. This is the tender tale of an 11-year old boy and a crane, both on a journey that will change them forever.

Accolades
  • Special Mention Award for Director, Haifa Intl Film Festival 2012
  • 2nd place Adult’s Jury Award for Live-Action Feature Film, Chicago Intl Children’s Film Festival 2012