Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia

In 2024, the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia marks its 28th year.

The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia is a celebration of Israeli culture, with the aim of enriching the American vision of Israeli culture and society through film. Each season, a slate of feature films and documentaries are selected to provide a diverse and impartial reflection of Israel.

It is our goal to be both entertaining and informative. Our program includes feature films, dramas, comedies and documentaries that are award-winning and have received wide recognition both in Israel and abroad. As a non-profit organization, the continuing success of the IFF is due, in large part, to support from various organizations and private donors.

The IFF is funded through ticket sales, personal and corporate contributions, as well as in-kind contributions. Organizational support is provided by The Center for Israel and Overseas, the Consulate General of Israel in New York,  and a wide array of community partners.

Schedule:

4:00 pm: Children of Peace

Arabs and Jews have lived in ongoing conflict for over a century. A group of dreamers decided to challenge everything they know about their nationalities and histories and founded a village in 1970s Israel as a social experiment. The film follows the many children who were brought up in this unique environment. In this bold attempt to raise a new generation their internal struggles and the outside conflict challenged their revolutionary eco-system. The children of peace are now grown men and women dealing with the harsh reality of political turmoil, war and societal segregation.

Admission: General $15, Students and seniors $13  

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7:00 pm: The Monkey House

Nominated for 11 Israeli Academy Awards, legendary Israeli director Avi Nesher's critically acclaimed film The Monkey House is a splashy cinematic gem melding a literary mystery, a rambunctious comedy, and a moving character study that follows the unexpected connection between two lost souls.

Set in the 1980s, this epic tale with hints of Almodóvar melodrama revolves around Amitay, a struggling writer living near a monkey park from which the movie gets its name. Envious of his more celebrated colleagues and yearning for Tamar, his childhood love now widowed, Amitay conceives a plan to revive his literary reputation. To orchestrate this comeback, he must find a young and ambitious researcher, or at least someone capable of pretending to be one. Enter Margo, a failed actress residing at her sister's home, who eagerly seizes this mysterious job opportunity. So begins the unlikely meeting of a desperate author and an eccentric young woman, a fateful encounter destined to change both of their lives.

Radiantly shot and beautifully performed, The Monkey House continues Avi Nesher’s exploration of Israeli society and history with his own unique vision, arriving at the irreverent humor and vibrant visual sense that has defined his work for decades. With an exceptional ensemble cast that also includes Avi Nesher regular Adir Miller in an all-time best performance, Shani Cohen, and a breakthrough role by Suzanna Papian making her feature film debut, The Monkey House shows a master storyteller in total control of his craft.

Admission: General $15, Students and seniors $13  

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