‘Hager (Land),’ an epic story of Ethiopian immigrants, wins Best Israeli Film at Haifa fest

Shmuel Beru's film 'Hager (Land)' won Best Israeli Film at the 42nd Haifa International Film Festival, depicting Ethiopian Jews on a dangerous journey to Israel amid political upheaval. It also won the artistic achievement award for cinematography. Other winners included 'Double Panther' and 'Blue Marks' sharing the Jury Prize.

Shmuel Beru's 'Hager (Land)' won Best Israeli Film at the 42nd Haifa International Film Festival. The film tells the story of Ethiopian Jews facing a dangerous journey to Israel against a backdrop of political upheaval and violence. It also received the artistic achievement award for cinematography, honoring Itzik Portal, Uri Ackerman, Ran Aviad, and Yoram Milo. The film is part of a growing number of movies by Israelis of Ethiopian descent bringing their experiences to the screen. 'Double Panther' and 'Blue Marks' shared the Jury Prize for Israeli Narrative Features. 'Double Panther,' directed by Marco Carmel, dramatizes the story of the radical Mizrahi-rights group, the Black Panthers, in the 1970s. Yaakov Zada-Daniel won Best Actor for his portrayal of a criminal turned police informer. 'Blue Marks,' directed by Dina Zvi Riklis, received three awards: the Jury Prize, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress for Noa Ohayon. Tomer Heymann's 'I Want to Tell My Story' won the Documentary Jury Prize, focusing on a Holocaust survivor recreating his memories on the eve of his 100th birthday. Reut Akkerman's 'Stay!' won the Amit Peled Award for Best Debut Film. The late director Nitzan Gilady received two honors: his feature 'Thou Shalt Love' earned the Pnina Blayer Special Mention, and his short film 'Nechama' won Best Independent Short. In international competitions, Lance Hammer's 'Queen at Sea' won the Carmel Award for Best Film.