Ophir Awards

Israeli film 'Where to?' to compete in Berlin International Film Festival

The Berlinale is one of the largest and most prestigious festivals in the world and will take place from February 12-22 this year.

IDO TAKO (left) and Ehab Salami star in Assaf Machnes' movie, Where To?, which will be shown at the Berlinale.
Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar speaks at a ceremony marking the reopening of the newly renovated Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, August 11, 2025.

Israeli film awards proceed as boycotting nominees reverse course

Lia Elalouf in Tom Nesher’s ‘Come Closer.’

Winner of Ophir Award, 'Come closer' opens in the US

Neta Riskin in ‘Nandauri.’

Eti Tsicko's Nandauri, far more psychologically complex than its outline indicates - review


From harlots to heroines: October 7 opens new chapter for women soldiers in Israeli cinema

Stories of women on the frontline on October 7 are opening a new chapter on female soldiers in Israeli cinema.

Swell Ariel Or, one of the stars of the upcoming movie ‘Tankistas,’ in the 2023 film ‘Kissufim.’

The Sea, a drama about a Palestinian father and son, wins the Best Picture Ophir Award

Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatened to defund the awards next year because of his disapproval of the winning film.

Ophir Best Actor winner, Muhammad Gazawi (left), presenting the Best Cinematography Award with Baher Agbariya, the producer of The Sea.

Sam Spiegel International Film Lab to hold pitching event at Venice Film Festival

This is the first time since its establishment 13 years ago that Sam Spiegel's International Film Lab will hold its annual pitching event as part of the Venice Film Festival.

Participants in the Sam Spiegel Film Lab, whose films will be at the pitching event at the Venice Film Festival.

‘The Sea’ leads Ophir Award nominations

The nominees for Israel's Ophir Awards have been announced.

MOHAMAD GHAZAWI in ‘The Sea.’

Israeli filmmaker Tom Nesher channels her grief into her new movie ‘Come Closer’

The movie tells the story of Eden (Lia Elalouf), a reckless, troubled young Tel Aviv woman still very attached to her younger brother, Nati (Ido Tako), and her struggle to cope after his death.

 TOM NESHER: For my generation, 18-30, everyone knows someone who died this year. Everyone.

Tom Nesher's Come Closer wins the Ophir Award in a ceremony overshadowed by the war

At the Ophir Awards in Tel Aviv, the usually festive event was overshadowed by the war, with winners and presenters honoring the hostages and fallen soldiers while celebrating cinematic achievements.

  Tom Nesher, who won Best Director and whose film, Come Closer, won Best Picture

Israel Cinema Day to premier an array of unreleased Israeli films

This Wednesday, Israel Cinema Day will involve over 40 recent Israeli films including unreleased Ophir Award nominees like 'Come Closer', 'Eid', and 'The Property' in theaters nationwide.

 A SCENE from ‘Eid.’

Wartime films get Ophir Award nominations 

The Ophir Awards will be presented at a ceremony on September 16 in Tel Aviv.

 ‘THE BOY,’ ‘Come Closer,’ and ‘Highway 65’ with Idan Amedi and Tali Sharon, are up for Ophir Awards.

Seven Blessings wins big at the Ophir Awards

Seven Blessings now becomes Israel’s official selection for consideration for a Best International Feature nomination at the Oscars.

 Reymonde Amsallem is seen accepting the Best Actress Ophir Award for Seven Blessings. She also won an award for co-writing the screenplay.

Israel's Oscars: What movies will take home this year’s Ophirs?

Relatively few movies directed by women and few films about Mizrahi Jews have won the Ophir Award in recent years, and this will give Seven Blessings an edge.

 ‘SEVEN BLESSINGS’ – an Ophir winner?