The Tel Aviv Intenational Children’s Film Festival


The Tel Aviv Intenational Children’s Film Festival, held at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, is now concluded. Thousands of children from all parts of the country came to see the films. Thanks to the efforts of the Friendship Foundation, headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, more than 400 children from locations close to Gaza, Ashkelon, Dimona and elsewhere were able to attend.

A panel of 4 judges, headed by Ms Maryanne Redpath, director of the Berlin Children’s Festival, as well as Avi Nesher, Ben Diogaye Beye and Jo-Anne Blouin, designated the film “Max Minsky and Me” (Germany 2007), directed by Anna Justice, as the best of the 7 films that participated in the competition. The film won several prizes in the past, among them the Judges’ Prize at the Montreal 2008 Festival, the Judges’ Prize of the European Children’s Film Festival, Antwerp 2008, and a Prize at the International Childen’s Film Festival , Amsterdam 2007. The judges termed it: “A charming and witty script; excellent acting.”

The film relates the story of 13-year old Nelly who wants to be an astronomer and prefers the magic of the stars to the world of children. Her imminent Bat-Mitzvah strengthens her feeling that religion does not quite accord with her scienticific beliefs. Fortunately for her, Max Minsky, the new boy in town, enters her life and changes everything.
The prize, for IS.15,000, was donated by the Moses Family on behalf of Marila Moses Wolfowitz.

A panel of 9 young judges chose the film: “Mother Nanny” (Philippines 2006) directed by Pablo Biglang-Awa, Jr &Veronica B. Velasco: as the best film. This, too, is an award-winning film, including: The 2008 Cairo Children’s Film Festival Prize, the 2007 India Children’s Festival Prize, and more. According to the judges: “A sensitive, human story that touched every one of us there.”

The film portrays the mother of Ruby the nursemaid who also takes care of Louise. The two girls compete for her great love for them. The film causes the audience to identify with this unusual and moving story of motherhood.

In the context of the Festival, the CIFEJ Prize of the World Academy for Quality Films was awarded this year. The academy was established in 1980 and it awards prizes at 10 prestigious festivals throughout the world. The International Children’s and Youth Film Festival at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque was selected as one of these.
The prize went to the film made by Dana Nechushtan: “Dunya and Desie” This film is a candidate for the 2008 Oscar in the category of Best Foreign Films from Holland. The judges noted : “The CIFEJ Prize goes to a youth film that portrays the triumph of friendship and the dialogue between culture and religious beliefs with humor and rhythm. An engaging story with strong emotional impact.”

At the closing event of the festival, it was announced that a grant amounting to IS. 16,000 would be awarded for developing the script for a feature film The grant is the joint initiative of the Festival and the Israeli Cinema Foundation for the Promotion of Cinematic Creations for Children and Young People.

The festival authorities contacted the higher schools of cinema and television throughout the country and received proposals from all of them. The prize winner will be chosen from the writers of the submitted proposals and will receive the grant for developing a script.

In her closing remarks, Mrs Gila Almagor, chairperson of the Festival, thanked all those who had taken part in the work and all the judges who had arrived from overseas, especially the panel of young judges. She noted: “By virtue of the festival films we were able to open this window of understanding and culture to the world at large.”