Israeli Film Council Takes Aim At Film Festivals; Proposes New Pro

Key Points:

• The Israeli Film Council has proposed removing film festivals from the points system that allocates film fund budgets and recommended creating a new state-backed funding category for films celebrating the heroism of Israeli soldiers, following the controversial Venice Film Festival screening of the documentary NAZA.
• NAZA, which features testimony from Israeli intelligence officers alleging deliberate targeting of civilians in Gaza, has sparked political backlash in Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu threatening to revoke the citizenship of the film’s co-directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
• The Israeli Film Council’s recommendations aim to counter international criticism of Israel and promote films aligned with nationalist narratives, but critics argue these moves could further isolate Israeli cinema and undermine artistic freedom.
• Netanyahu is fast-tracking legislation to revoke citizenship from those who “defame Israeli soldiers” and increase damages in defamation cases against critics of the military, while filmmakers Abraham and Szor face death threats and condemnation from press freedom organizations.
• Industry insiders view the citizenship revocation threats as politically motivated rhetoric lacking legal basis, highlighting concerns over escalating government pressure on Israeli artists and journalists amid the ongoing conflict and political tensions.