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Esther Krauze

President of the CSUQ

One of the great strengths of the Montreal Israeli Film Festival, organized by the Sephardic Jewish Community of Quebec, lies in its ability to blend tradition with innovation, year after year. The 19th edition of the MIFF, which will take place from October 30 to November 10, 2024, will be no exception. Due to the ongoing conflict in Israel, this year’s festival will be held entirely online. The entire team has worked diligently to offer you an event where the audience can enjoy films of high quality and exceptional diversity.

We must also acknowledge the outstanding work of the MIFF co-chairs, Chantal and Gérard Buzaglo. Together with the selection committee members and CSUQ professionals, they have put together a program that meets the high expectations of our audience.

Since its beginnings nearly seven decades ago, Israeli cinema has undergone numerous transformations: from Zionist realism to social critiques, and even the influences of the French New Wave. This cinema, with its unbounded freedom, invites us to reflect on the major societal issues that permeate the life of the state of Israel, to which we feel deeply connected.

The MIFF has always been able to rely on distinguished juries, and the 2024 edition is no different, with Mr. Didier Farré serving as this year’s jury president. I want to express my sincere gratitude to him for the challenging task ahead.

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to our generous patrons, particularly Didier Benita of the Fimu Foundation, whose support enables the Sephardic Jewish Community of Quebec to continue offering you, yet again this year, a Montreal Israeli Film Festival that continues to gain prestige and importance on the Montreal cultural scene.

I wish you all an excellent festival.

Esther Krauze



Paul Hirschson

Consul General of Israel in Montreal

Montréal wouldn’t be Montréal without its incredible portfolio of cultural activities. What a spectacular city! And Montréal’s cultural portfolio would be lesser without the incredible work of CSUQ and the Israel Flim Festival.

Congratulations to all those who put so much love and energy into organizing the festival. A huge thank you too. For me and for all those of us who enjoy seeing the films screened, Montreal would be a little less magnificent without you.

Israel has had a more difficult year than most but we continue to build, to create, to experience and to make the world a better place. In the years ahead we will get to experience many expressions of the depth, intensity and authenticity of emotions that have spilled out across Israel’s streets and across the world, not least in the realm of film.

We dream of a future where peace is a reality, not just a distant hope. A future where terror is a memory and Israel stands as a beacon of resilience, innovation and hope for all.

The road ahead is long. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that Israel does not back down.

One year later we remember, we honour and we look forward – with hope in our hearts and an unshakeable belief that the best is yet to come.

I trust you will enjoy the quality of the vast portfolio of Israeli film, I certainly will.

Paul Hirschson



Chantal and Gérard Buzaglo

Co-Chairs of the Festival

The year 2024, since last year October 7 tragic events, is a year which will mark the history of Israel and that of the Jewish people. We hope that in a very near future we will experience the release of the hostages and an outcome that will shape a new Middle East where peace will finally reign.

Despite the difficulties that Israeli society is currently experiencing, this year’s film production remained very fruitful because many titles were submitted to us.

The Communauté Sépharade unifiée du Québec invites you from October 30 to November 10 to watch the festival’s films and thus honor the work carried out by those involved in Israeli cinema in these difficult times.

This year, the Montreal Israeli Film Festival offers a selection of 12 films that you will have the opportunity to watch at any time in the comfort of your home for 12 days.

Among the 12 films, let’s mention the opening film “Seven Blessings” which won 10 Ophirs awards including the Ophir for best film and the closing film “The Monkey House”, by the renowned Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher, a film which was nominated for 11 Ophirs awards.

Let us mention the film “Running on Sand” which won the audience award at the Israeli film festival in Paris and the film “Home”, nominated for 9 Ophir Awards in which Roy Nick won the Ophir Award for Best Actor.

We express our deep gratitude to our main partner Didier Benita of the FIMU Foundation, Foundation for Universal Medical Innovation, for his support in the realization of this year’s Festival.

We would like to warmly thank all our sponsors who, year after year, support the festival.

We thank the members of the selection committee, Georgette Bensimon, Martine Bellaiche, Claire Kramer, Dorith Mizrahi, Rita Sabbah, Beverly Shaffer and Joelle Weizman for having viewed around fifty films and establishing the program for this year’s festival.

Many thanks to Didier Farré, President of the Jury and Corinne Bénichou, Élie Castiel, Honey A. Dresher and Ariel Ifergan, Members of the Jury of this year’s edition for the time spent viewing the films in competition and for having deliberated to attribute the Lys d’Or for this year’s festival.
The Jury award ceremony will take place online on November 10 at 7pm.

We extend our sincere thanks to the president of the CSUQ, Esther Krauze and the director of the CSUQ, Benjamin Bitton, for their constant support. We express our sincere appreciation to Sabine Malka, director of cultural affairs and the entire CSUQ team for their professionalism during the preparation of the festival.

Finally, a warm thank you to you, loyal spectators who are present every year and who, through your enthusiasm, encourages the Communauté Sépharade unifiée du Québec to maintain this essential event in Montreal’s cultural life.

Chantal and Gérard Buzaglo

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