On June 6, representatives from the Jewish film industry assembled at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills for a pre-event lunch, prior to the 2025 Israel Film Festival.
It’s quite appropriate, given the context, that the festival’s director, Meir Fenigstein, who once played drums for the ’70s band Kaveret and has roots in rock music, often seems to repeat himself when attracting Hollywood’s Jewish community, much like a broken record.
Fenigstein from the IFF stated that the purpose of the sponsorship lunch is twofold: it honors the significant financial contributions made by our benefactors and sponsors, both individual and corporate, without whom the Festival wouldn’t be possible. The aim of the IFF is to introduce Los Angeles audiences to the finest aspects of Israeli culture and cinema.
Each year, his plea carries a sense of urgency, but following the Hamas attacks on Israel, specifically on October 7, 2023, there’s been an escalation in antisemitism globally, including the U.S. This unfortunate event has led to a decline in support for Israeli film and television productions. As a result, Israeli filmmakers are finding it harder to participate in significant competitions.
Debra Messing, the award-winning actress who served as executive producer for the documentary titled “October H8TE – The Struggle for America’s Heart“, expressed similar thoughts during her acceptance speech for the 2025 IFF Achievement in Film and Television Award. “The significant role you play, Meir,” she said after being introduced by podcast host Jonah Platt, “in providing a platform for Israeli narratives to thrive, is not merely valuable at this moment. It’s crucial.” She continued, “Given the current situation where many Israeli films are being barred from festivals or removed from streaming services — it’s more essential than ever that we stand by and support Israeli filmmakers; that we watch their creations and boost their voices. They are sharing stories that carry weight. Stories of determination, ingenuity, endurance, family, and self-identity.
Mayor Sharona Nazarian of Beverly Hills also took part, expressing thoughts on cultural diplomacy and acknowledging the festival with a declaration from the City of Beverly Hills. For quite some time, numerous Beverly Hills locals and businesses have been backing and engaging in this significant cultural gathering, she pointed out.
Besides him, Rabbi Marvin Hier – founder of the Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and a two-time Oscar winner – was honored with the 2025 IFF Humanitarian Award. He entertained the guests at lunch with tales about Elizabeth Taylor, sprinkling in Yiddish phrases that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
Despite the joking tone, Messing powerfully expressed her feelings in heartfelt words. She spoke about the relentless hostility, manipulation, and deceit, saying it had been overwhelming and draining. Yet, she also highlighted the remarkable strength of our community, noting how we support each other, lead with love, and strive to find light in darkness. We are resilient and stronger than ever. Let’s continue to amplify stories that matter, champion artists who speak truth, and stand together – with grace, determination, and hope for a brighter future ahead.
The 37th annual Israel Film Festival is scheduled for Nov. 5 – 20 in Los Angeles.
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2025-06-08 22:54