The Jerusalem Film Festival is set to captivate audiences once again from July 9-19, 2026 offering a vibrant showcase of international and Israeli cinema. Founded by Lia van Leer the festival has become a beacon of cultural exchange and cinematic excellence, drawing film enthusiasts from around the globe.
This year’s edition, the 43rd in its illustrious history, will take place at the Jerusalem Cinematheque and the Lev Smadar theater. Under the leadership of CEO Roni Mahadav-Levin and Artistic Director Orr Sigoli the festival aims to celebrate the power of cinema to illuminate our world.
Sergei Loznitsa: The Guest of Honor
The festival will welcome over 25 international guests with Sergei Loznitsa the acclaimed Ukrainian director, taking center stage as the guest of honor. Loznitsa, known for his profound documentaries and features, will receive a special tribute at the festive opening ceremony at Sultan’s Pool on July 9.
Loznitsa’s filmography includes notable works such as My JoyIn the FogMaidan and his latest, Two Prosecutors which premiered in competition at Cannes. His films have a rich history with the Jerusalem Film Festival, with twelve of his works having been screened there. He has also won prizes in the In the Spirit of Freedom and Chantal Akerman competitions.
International and Israeli Jurors
The international jury for this year’s festival includes a diverse array of industry professionals. Among them are German actress Corinna HarfouchGerman director Angela Schanelec and French critic Nanako Tsukidate. The jury also features Swiss director Lionel BaierArgentinian director Jorge Stamadianos and French producer Marc-Benoît Créancier.
The Israeli jury will be composed of esteemed directors Roni AboulafiaNir Bergman and Yona Rozenkier. Together, they will evaluate the entries in the Israeli Competition, which offers a total of approximately NIS 1 million in prizes.
Notable Films and Premieres
The opening-night film will be the Israeli premiere of Tell Me Everything directed by Moshe Rosenthal. This film, which had its world premiere at the Sundance film festival stars Assi CohenKeren Tzur and Yair Mazor. It tells the story of Boaz who discovers a shocking secret about his father and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Other notable films include Amal directed by David Ofek and Nahd Bashir which explores the themes of revenge and redemption. The Wedding Entertainer directed by Gidi Dar stars Shuli Rand and delves into the life of a former party entertainer struggling to regain his past glory.
The festival will also feature a special world premiere screening of David Fisher‘s documentary The Survivor in a Tuxedo: In Search of Elie Wiesel. This intimate portrait examines the life and legacy of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, offering insights into his ambition, memory, and the burden of bearing witness.
In addition to these premieres, the festival will showcase a variety of international films, including The Trial of Wine by Kai StänickeIn the Land of Arto by Tamara Stepanyan and Noga by Benjamin and Jono Bergmann. These films represent the diverse and rich tapestry of global cinema that the Jerusalem Film Festival aims to celebrate.
The festival will also hold a special tribute to Israeli film history, presenting restored digital versions of classic films such as Uri Barbash‘s prison drama and the short film Crow.
