The Ophir Awards (), full name: the Israel Film Academy Award, sometimes also known as the Israeli Oscars or the Israeli Academy Awards, are

film award Film award is a cinematic award which can be awarded in several categories. Unlike the film festival, the film award is not accompanied by a public screening of competitive films. Film awards are usually awarded based on the results of a secret vo ...

s for excellence in the Israeli film industry awarded by the

Israeli Academy of Film and Television Israeli Academy of Film and Television is a non-profit organization working in the fields of film and television in Israel. History The Israeli Academy of Film and Television, founded in 1990, is the Israeli equivalent of the US-based Academy o ...

. The award, named after Israeli actor

Shaike Ophir Shaike Ophir (; 4 November 1928 – 17 August 1987) was an Israeli film and theater actor, comedian, playwright, screenwriter, director, and the country's first mime. Early life Yeshayahu (Shaike) Goldstein-Ophir was born in Jerusalem. His famil ...

, has been granted since 1990. The Academy Awards ceremony takes place every year in September, about four months before the announcement of the nominees for the American Academy Award. The winner of the "Best Film" award is sent as Israel's representative to compete for an Oscar nomination in the "Best Foreign Film Oscar Award" category. Out of the winners of the Ophir Award in the "Best Film" category over the years, 10 films have been chosen to be nominated for the Oscar Award in the "Best Foreign Film" category.

History

The predecessors of the award were the Israeli Film Center Award () and the Silver Menorah Award (). The first Israeli Academy Awards ceremony was held since the establishment of the academy in 1990 It was held annually at the

Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center (TAPAC, ) or The Golda Center for Performing Arts () is a performing arts center at King Saul Boulevard in Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( or , ; ), sometimes rendered as Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and usually referred t ...

. In 2004 it was renamed the Ophir Awards after

. The award holds annual competitions in the field of feature and documentary cinema among the films produced that year. The Ophir Awards are awarded in 18 categories in the field of Israeli cinematic creation. Since 2003, the Academy has held a separate ceremony for television programs. Before the establishment of the Academy, the " Kinor Daviv" was awarded in the years 1963 - 1986 to creators in various fields of Israeli culture. The award was given both in the field of cinema and in the field of communication (where awards were given for television programs). Starting in 2003, these awards are given separately as part of the " Awards of the Israel Television Academy". The year 2004 is known as the record year for viewing percentages of Israeli films and the record year for the Ophir Awards ceremony: 23 feature films competed, including the blockbusters "

Turn Left at the End of the World ''Turn Left at the End of the World'' (, ''Sof HaOlam Smola'') is a 2004 Israeli film written, produced and directed by Avi Nesher and starring Netta Garti and Liraz Charhi. Plot The film takes place in a small Negev development town in 1968 and ...

", "

Campfire A campfire is a fire at a campsite that provides light and warmth, and heat for cooking. It can also serve as a beacon, and an insect and predator deterrent. Established campgrounds often provide a stone or steel fire ring for safety. Campfires ...

" and " Walk on Water". As of 2022, The highest number of Ophir Awards won by a single film is 11, for the film "

Nina's Tragedies ''Nina's Tragedies'' () is a 2003 Israeli comedy-drama film about a boy Nadav and his aunt Nina. The film is shown from the perspective of Nadav and tells of his experiences regarding his aunt Nina and her loss, understanding love and confronting ...

", which in 2003 won 11 awards out of a possible 13 (not including the "Best Documentary" award and "Lifetime Achievement Award"), including the best film, but lost the best actor award to Aryeh Elias and the best composer award to

Ehud Banai Ehud Banai (; born March 31, 1953) is an Israeli musician, songwriter, author, and a member of the prominent Banai family in Israel. Early life Ehud Banai was born in Jerusalem. His father was the actor Yaakov Banai, one of the Banai siblings. ...

(both from the film " James' Journey to Jerusalem"). The record for winnings per person belongs to

Assi Dayan Assaf "Assi" Dayan (; 23 November 1945 – 1 May 2014) was an Israeli film director, actor, screenwriter, and producer. Life Dayan was the youngest son of Israeli general and defense minister Moshe Dayan and peace activist Ruth Dayan (née Sch ...

and Gil Toran, who won 8 Ophir awards each. Assi Dayan is also the only one who won awards for directing, writing and acting. The award is televised every year. In the beginning it was broadcast on Channel 2 as part of Keshet Medial Group broadcasts, and then the broadcast moved to Channel 10. In 2016 the ceremony was broadcast live on Channel 24 and then returned a second Channel 12. The winner of the Best Film award usually becomes Israel's submission for the

Academy Award for Best International Feature Film The Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (known as Best Foreign Language Film prior to 2020) is one of the Academy Awards handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to a ...

, although exceptions include ''

Aviva My Love ''Aviva, My Love'' () is a 2006 Israeli drama film directed by Shemi Zarhin. The film was regarded as a major Israeli success, attracting 300,000 viewers to cinemas. The film won six Ophir Awards, including Best Actress for Asi Levi and Best ...

'' (which was rejected in favor of the film it tied with, ''

Sweet Mud ''Sweet Mud'' () is a 2006 Israeli satirical drama film written and directed by Dror Shaul. The semi-autobiographical film was shot on the kibbutzim of Ruhama and Nir Eliyahu, and draws on Shaul's memories of growing up on a kibbutz with his ...

'') and ''

The Band's Visit ''The Band's Visit'' () is a 2007 comedy-drama film written and directed by Eran Kolirin, and starring Saleh Bakri, Ronit Elkabetz, Sasson Gabai and Uri Gavriel. It is an international co-production between Israel, France and the United Sta ...

'', which was disqualified for having more than 50% of its dialogue in English. Israel submitted the runner-up for that year—'' Beaufort''—instead. The latter film was eventually nominated for the

. The statuette awarded to prize winners was designed by the Israeli sculptor Richard Shiloh, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2011. The categories in which the award is distributed: * Best Movie * Best Director * Best Lead Actor * Best Lead Actress * Best Supporting Actor * Best Supporting Actress * Best Shot * Best Original Screenplay * Best Edit * Best Artistic Design * Best Costume Design * Best Original Music * Best Soundtrack * Best Makeup * Best Casting * Best Documentary * Best Short Documentary * Lifetime Achievement Award * Best Short Feature Film In addition, almost every year awards are given for lifetime achievement and a recognition award for professional achievements.

List of winners

* 1990: '' The Lookout (Shuroo)'' * 1991: '' Beyond the Sea'' * 1992: ''

Life According to Agfa ''Life According to Agfa'' () is a 1993 Israeli psychological-social drama film written and directed by Assi Dayan and produced by Rafi Bukai and Yoram Kislev. Starring Gila Almagor, Shmil Ben Ari, Irit Frank, Shuli Rand, Sharon Alexander and ...

'' * 1993: '' Revenge of Itzik Finkelstein'' * 1994: ''

Sh'Chur ''Sh'Chur'' () is a 1994 Israeli drama film starring Gila Almagor, Ronit Elkabetz and Hanna Azoulay Hasfari, Hanna Azoulay-Hasfari. It was written by Hanna Azoulay Hasfari and directed by her partner Shmuel Hasfari. Sh'Chur received critical accla ...

'' * 1995: '' Lovesick on Nana Street'' * 1996: '' Saint Clara'' * 1997: '' Pick a Card'' * 1998: '' Circus Palestine'' * 1999: '' Yana's Friends'' * 2000: ''

Time of Favor ''Time of Favor'' (in Hebrew language, Hebrew, Ha-hesder) is Israelis, Israeli writer-director Joseph Cedar, Joseph Cedar's 2000 debut film, starring Aki Avni. The film plays out a psychologically complex love triangle in the middle of terrorist c ...

'' * 2001: ''

Late Marriage ''Late Marriage'' (, ''Hatuna Meuheret'') is a 2001 Israeli film directed by Dover Kosashvili. The film centers on Zaza (Lior Ashkenazi, in his breakthrough role), the 31-year-old child of tradition-minded Georgian Jewish immigrants who are anx ...

'' * 2002: '' Broken Wings'' * 2003: ''

'' * 2004: ''

'' * 2005: ''

What a Wonderful Place ''What a Wonderful Place'' ( - ''Eize Makom Nifla'') is a 2005 Israeli drama film directed by Eyal Halfon. It includes three seemingly unrelated storylines which intersect at the end, set in southern Tel Aviv, the Arabah and an unidentified Israe ...

'' * 2006: ''

Aviva, My Love ''Aviva, My Love'' () is a 2006 Israeli drama film directed by Shemi Zarhin. The film was regarded as a major Israeli success, attracting 300,000 viewers to cinemas. The film won six Ophir Awards, including Best Actress for Asi Levi and Best ...

'' and ''

'' * 2007: ''

'' * 2008: ''

Waltz with Bashir ''Waltz with Bashir'' (, translit. ''Vals Im Bashir'') is a 2008 adult animated war documentary film written, produced, and directed by Ari Folman. It depicts Folman's search for lost memories of his experience as a soldier during the 19 ...

'' * 2009: '' Ajami'' * 2010: ''

The Human Resources Manager ''The Human Resources Manager'' (, Transliteration, translit. ''Shliḥuto shel Ha'Memuneh al Mash'abey Enosh'') is a 2010 Israeli drama film directed by Eran Riklis. Its script was written by Noah Stollman, based on the 2006 novel ''A Woma ...

'' * 2011: ''

Footnote In publishing, a note is a brief text in which the author comments on the subject and themes of the book and names supporting citations. In the editorial production of books and documents, typographically, a note is usually several lines of tex ...

'' * 2012: '' Fill the Void'' * 2013: ''

Bethlehem Bethlehem is a city in the West Bank, Palestine, located about south of Jerusalem, and the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate. It had a population of people, as of . The city's economy is strongly linked to Tourism in the State of Palesti ...

'' * 2014: '' Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem'' * 2015: '' Baba Joon'' * 2016: ''

Sand Storm A dust storm, also called a sandstorm, is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a Outflow boundary, gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. Fine particles ...

'' * 2017: ''

Foxtrot The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music. The dance is similar in its look to waltz, although the rhythm is in a time ...

'' * 2018: '' The Cakemaker'' * 2019: ''

Incitement In criminal law, incitement is the encouragement of another person to commit a crime. Depending on the jurisdiction, some or all types of incitement may be illegal. Where illegal, it is known as an inchoate offense, where harm is intended but ma ...

'' * 2020: ''

Asia Asia ( , ) is the largest continent in the world by both land area and population. It covers an area of more than 44 million square kilometres, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8% of Earth's total surface area. The continent, which ...

'' * 2021: ''

Let There Be Morning ''Let There Be Morning'' is an album by The Perishers, released in 2003. The album was re-released in North America in 2005 under Nettwerk Nettwerk Music Group is an independent record label founded in 1984. The Vancouver-based company wa ...

'' * 2022: '' Cinema Sabaya'' * 2023: '' Seven Blessings'' * 2024: '' Come Closer''

Awards ceremonies

This is a list of Ophir Award ceremonies.

Ceremonies

Award Records

Record nominations for a film (general): 15 - "The World is Funny" (2012) " Image of Victory" (2021), " Let it be Morning" (2021) Record of wins for a film (overall): 11 – "

" (2003) Record of wins per person (general): 10 - Israel David (all in the soundtrack category) Record of wins for the

soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...

: 10 - Israel David Record of wins for editing: 7 - Einat Glazer-Zarhin Record of winnings for photography: 4 -

David Gurfinkel David Gurfinkel (; born December 12, 1938, in Tel Aviv) is an Israeli cinematographer. In 2015 he was awarded the Israel Prize for cinema. He is the father of filmmaker Jonathan Gurfinkel. Selected filmography *''The Policeman'' (1971) *'' Hagig ...

Record of wins for an actress: 3 - Ronit Elkebetz (3 main actress), 3 -

Dana Ivgy Dana Ivgy (; born April 3, 1982) is an Israeli actress and the daughter of actor Moshe Ivgy. Career As a child, Ivgy appeared in several television and film productions. Since graduating from acting school she has appeared in several critically a ...

(2 main actress; 1 supporting actress), 3 - Anat Waxman (1 main actress; 2 supporting actress), 3 - Raymond Amsalem (1 main actress, 2 supporting actress) Record wins for a player: 4 -

Sasson Gabai Sasson Gabai (or Gabay; ; born ) is an Israeli actor. He is the winner of an Ophir Award, Asia Pacific Screen Award (nominated), European Film Awards and Jerusalem Film Festival in 2007 as Best Actor in the highly acclaimed Israeli film '' Th ...

(2 main player; 2 secondary player) Record of winnings for a

screenplay A screenplay, or script, is a written work produced for a film, television show (also known as a '' teleplay''), or video game by screenwriters (cf. ''stage play''). Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of w ...

: 4 - Savi Gabizon (" The Lookout", " Lovesick on Nana Street", "

" and " Longing") Record of wins for directing: 3 - Savi Gabizon (" The Lookout", " Lovesick on Nana Street" and " The Lookout") Record of wins for the

documentary film A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...

: 2 -

Arnon Goldfinger Arnon Goldfinger (; born 1963) is an Israeli film director and scriptwriter, winner of two Israeli Academy Awards, known for his films '' The Komediant'' and '' The Flat''. Early life Arnon Goldfinger was born in Ramat Gan, Israel, to parents wh ...

, Nadav Shirman, Shlomi Elder

Ceremony hosts

The following have hosted (or co-hosted) the Academy Awards ceremony on two or more occasions.

References

External links

Official site of the Israeli Film and Television AcademyAwards of the Israeli Film Academy
on

IMDb IMDb, historically known as the Internet Movie Database, is an online database of information related to films, television series, podcasts, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and biograp ...

{{National Cinema Awards Israeli film awards Awards established in 1982 1982 establishments in Israel