Chantal and Gerard Buzaglo’s Message
Co-Chairs of the Montreal Israel Film Festival


It is with pleasure that we have accepted, for a second year, to co-chair the Montreal Israel Film Festival. The Festival is a production of the Communauté Sépharade Unifiée du Québec. This year we celebrate not only the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, but also the Montreal Israel Film Festival 13th edition, a special anniversary.

This year’s program comprises feature films, short films and documentaries with French or English subtitles and provide a critical look at Israeli society. The Festival presents films recognized at the international level. The creativity of the directors and diversity of issues raised reveal the many facets of Israeli society and challenges it faces.

We thank the main sponsors of this festival, Karen and Alexandre Abecassis and Air Transat whose generous contributions have helped the Festival shine. We also greatly appreciate the other sponsors for their continued support.

Thank you to the Honorary Committee Chair Bernard Landry, former Prime Minister of Quebec and other Honorary Committee members for attending the Festival.Thank you also go to the President of the Jury, Roger Frappier and members of the Jury Élie Castiel, Ina Fichman, Martin Gignac, Ismaïl Houdassine, Irois Léger and Chantal Renaud for viewing the feature films of this year’s Festival honoring the Israeli film artists at the Jury Award Ceremony.
  
We appreciate the continued support of  Henri Elbaz, President of the CSUQ, Benjamin Bitton, Executive Director, and Sabine Malka, Director of Community and Cultural Activities. We are grateful for the constant collaboration of the CSUQ professionals Toby Benlolo and Agnès Castiel. We also acknowledge the wonderful work of graphic designer Elodie Borel for creating the program and the flyers and web administrator Wei Song for creating the website of the Festival.

A sincere thanks to all members of our committee, Charles Barchechath, Martine Bellaiche, Georgette Bensimon, Samuel Bibas, Sam Edery, Claire Kramer, Silvia Lebensztajn, Dolly Mergui, and Michel Zgarka, for their work in planning the Festival. We highlight in particular the invaluable contribution of our General Delegate Michel Zgarka whose expertise has provided us great advice.

We also acknowledge the excellent work done by Katia Dahan of Concept Duo, who served as Public Relations Officer.

Finally a big thank you to you, our loyal public. Your presence and enthusiasm, encourage, year after year, this festival.

 

Chantal Buzaglo and Gerard Buzaglo
Co-Chairs of the Montreal Israel Film Festival

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