23rd Israel Film Festival

New York City, October 29, 2008. The 23rd Israel Film Festival kicked off its Opening Night at the legendary Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. Guests of honor were award winning directors, writers and producers Danny DeVito, Irwin Winkler, and Edward Zwick. The Festival will visit the cities of Miami in December and Los Angeles in June.

Talented comedian, actress, and singer Lainie Kazan was the Emcee of the evenings festivities. Michael Douglas, Mort Zuckerman, and Liev Schrieber were the Honorary Guest Presenters of the awards.

Danny DeVito was accompanied by Rhea Perlman. He was presented with the IFF Lifetime Visionary Award by colleague Michael Douglas. Guest presenter Mort Zuckerman gave Irwin Winkler the IFF Lifetime Achievement Award. Edward Zwick received the IFF Outstanding Achievement in Film Award from Liev Schrieber.

Guests enjoyed the US premiere of Rashef Levy's Lost Islands after the awards ceremony. The film was the biggest Box Office success in Israel in 2008.

A portion of the proceeds from the 23 rd IFF Opening Gala will provide scholarships to exceptional Israeli film students from six film schools in Israel including: The Sam Spiegal Film & TV School Jerusalem, Sapir Academic College Shderot, Ma'ale School of Television Film & Arts, Tel Aviv University Film and Television Dept., Hamidrasha Biat-Berl Collage and Tel Hai Communications Center for Cinema. To learn more go to http://www.israelfilmfestival.com
Story and photos by Sara Herbert-Galloway
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