It is with great pride and enthusiasm that we accepted to co-chair the 12th edition of the Montreal Israeli Film Festival, a production of La Communauté Sépharade Unifiée du Québec.
The Israeli cinema, that is gaining more recognition at an international level than ever before, takes a critical look at Israeli society. The creativity of the filmmakers and the diversity of the subject matter reveal multiple facets of Israeli society and the challenges it is confronted with.
We would like to thank the main sponsors of this festival, Karen and Alexandre Abecassis, whose generous contribution has given the festival a new vitality this year and has brought it to a higher level.
We would also like to thank all the sponsors who contributed to making the festival a success on the Montreal scene.
Thank you to all members of the Honorary Committee for their support and attendance at this festival.
We would like to express our appreciation to Laurent Zeitoun, President of the Jury, and to all the other members Audrey A. Benoualid, Michel Coulombe, Honey A. Dresher, Didier Farre, Natalie McNeil and Thomas Schnurmacher for taking the time to watch all the films presented at this festival and awarding the winners.
We would like to thank the exceptional work of past president Dolly Mergui. During the last four years, she has ensured the survival of the festival with a restricted committee of four people including Maurice Chalom.
Thank you to our director Daniel Amar for his constant support, to his assistant Agnès Castiel and to the professionals of the CSUQ Toby Benlolo and Charles Oiknine for their collaboration. We would like to acknowledge the admirable work of graphic designers Elodie Borel and Wei Song for creating the programs and website.
A sincere thank you to all the members of our committee, Charles Barchechath, Georgette Bensimon, Sam Edery, Dolly Mergui and Michel Zgarka for all their hard work organizing this festival. We would like to pay a special tribute to our Executive Officer Michel Zgarka for his exceptional contribution and for his expertise in the world of cinema that has brought the festival to the level it is at today.
Thank you to Katia Dahan, our public relations professional, for her remarkable work and commitment.
Finally, a huge thank you to you, our loyal public. Your presence and enthusiasm, encourage, year after year, the Montreal Israeli Film Festival.
Chantal Buzaglo and Gérard Buzaglo
Co-presidents