Family-focused stories at forefront of Israel Film Fest

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 1, 2012

It’s springtime in Los Angeles, which means raising the curtain on the 26th Israel Film Festival, this year displaying a colorful palette of more than 30 feature movies, documentaries, TV shows and student shorts.

Oscar gold again eludes Israel’s grasp

By Tom Tugend
Published on February 27, 2012

‘Footnote’ falls, continuing Israel’s Oscar drought

Published on February 26, 2012

"Footnote” failed to win Israel’s first Academy Award, coming up short in the best foreign-language film category.

A sneak peek at ‘Footnote,’ Israel’s Oscar nominee

Published on February 21, 2012

In his latest film, Israeli writer-director Joseph Cedar has created a drama of personal controversy. He explores spirit, resilience and responsibility. “Footnote” tells the story of a father, embittered by his life and angered by the success of his son. That son, though publicly applauded, is in turn challenged by the not-fully-formed third generation—his son.

For Mideast foes’ Oscar films, family trumps flag

Published on February 17, 2012

As their nations warn of war, the Israeli and Iranian directors facing off at next week's Academy Awards share a reluctance to see politics read into their movies, both of which are portraits of troubled families. Joseph Cedar, director of Israel's "Footnote," and Asghar Farhadi, maker of Iran's "A Separation," stress that their works are about human issues and not conflicted governments that seem to be slipping into ever deeper diplomatic isolation.

How Tel Aviv became big business in Hollywood

By Danielle Berrin
Published on February 8, 2012

In December 2009, Avi Nir, the chief executive of one of Israel’s largest broadcasting and production companies, invited the Hollywood agent Rick Rosen to spend a day at Keshet’s Tel Aviv office.

Oscar nominee Agnieszka Holland on “In Darkness” [VIDEO]

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on February 2, 2012

Israel at the Academy Awards… again

Published on January 30, 2012

Most 43-year-old film directors/screenwriters cannot say that half of the films they have made were nominated for Academy Awards. Joseph Cedar is an exception to that rule. The 43-year-old Cedar, born in the United States but raised in Israel, just secured his second Oscar nomination this week, making it two out of the four major films he has directed being nominated for the coveted award.

Jonah Hill, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, ‘Footnote’ in Oscar finals

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 24, 2012

Will this finally be the year for an Israeli Oscar?

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 18, 2012

Joseph Cedar’s “Footnote,” Israel’s entry in the Oscar sweepstakes for best foreign-language film, has jumped the first major hurdle by making the shortlist of nine semi-finalists.

Israel’s entry to Oscars does not plan to become a ‘Footnote’

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 13, 2012

Joseph Cedar has made four movies during his 11-year career, and the first three have represented Israel in the Oscar races for Best Foreign-Language film.

Israel’s First Slasher Flick at Screamfest! [VIDEO]

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on October 22, 2011

Israeli director Cedars awarded at Cannes

Published on May 23, 2011

Israeli director Joseph Cedars won the best screenplay award at the Cannes film festival for his movie "Footnote."