The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), in collaboration with the Israeli Cultural Film Forum, is pleased to announce the return of the 12th Israeli Film Festival, a popular annual celebration of Israeli cinema, running from June 4th-14th at Carleton University's River Building Theatre. WireService.ca Media Release (05/26/2015) Ottawa, ON - "We're excited to share a selection of award-winning contemporary Israeli films with Ottawa audiences," says CFI Executive Director Tom McSorley. "This year's line-up provides a diverse reflection of Israeli cinema that we hope audiences will enjoy." All films presented are Ottawa premieres. This year's Festival begins on June 4th with Dancing Arabs, a 2014 drama by acclaimed director Eran Riklis (Zaytoun, 2012; The Mission of the Human Resources Manager, 2010;Lemon Tree, 2008; and The Syrian Bride, 2004). Dancing Arabs examines with both acumen and empathy the complex texture of relations between Jews and Arabs in Israel, the influence of regional events on the lives of the people there, and the journey of a young man looking for a way to break out of all the boundaries that await him in life. Following on June 7th is Apples from the Desert directed by Arik Lubetzky and Matt Harari. The 2013 film has screened at international festivals and has won several awards, including 3 in 2015: the Special Jury Award (San Diego Jewish Film Festival 2015), Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature (Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2015), and the Global Vision Award(Cinquest Film Festival 2015, in San Jose, USA). Above and Beyond, the first major feature-length documentary about the foreign airmen in the '48 Arab-Israeli War, premieres on June 11th. Directed by Roberta Grossman (Blessed Is The Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh, 2008), the film brings together interviews and stunning aerial footage to tell the little-known tale about a group of Jewish-American pilots who smuggled planes out of the United States, trained behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia and flew for Israel in its War of Independence. The Dove Flyer closes the Festival on June 14th. Based on a novel by Eli Amir, and directed by Nissim Dayan, The Dove Flyer tells the story of the most ancient Jewish community in the world - the Jewish community of Iraq. The film's story is centred around a young Kabi, who becomes a central activist in the Zionist underground, thus enabling the immigration of the Jews of Iraq to Israel: a cinematic first. All screenings will be presented at Carleton University's River Building Theatre (43 Campus Avenue, at the corner of University Drive) beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available online and at the Box Office 30-minutes before scheduled show times. Tickets are $13 for general admission or $9 for CFI Members, seniors and students. For complete Festival details, including film synopses, trailers, ticket and venue information, visit www.cfi-icf.ca orwww.israelifilmfestival.ca. The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, nongovernmental, non-profit cultural organization. Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2015, it is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information about the organization can be found online at www.cfi-icf.ca. The Israeli Cultural Forum is a partnership between Soloway Jewish Community Centre, Vered Israel Cultural and Educational Program, the Embassy of Israel in Canada, the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation, and the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
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