Waltz with Bashir
'Waltz with Bashir' wins IFC award
Animated documentary wins top honors at Haifa Film Festival, as Israeli Film Critics' Association, Tel Aviv Journalists' Association name it best Israeli film for 2008. 'There Will Be Blood' hailed as best foreign film
The 19th annual Israeli Film Critics Awards ceremony was held earlier this week, as part of the International Haifa Film Festival and in association with and Tel Aviv Journalists' Association.
The awards traditionally celebrate outstanding achievements in four categories: Best Israeli film, best foreign film, and best lead actor and actress in an Israeli film.
Audiences' Favorite
Merav Yudilovitch
Eran Kolirins' film won the prestigious Sakura award at the Tokyo International Film Festival
Ari Folman's "Waltz with Bashir" was hailed as the best Israeli film, while Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" was named Best Foreign Film.
Actress Ronit Elkabetz was awarded the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor award, for her lead in The Band's Visit. The Band's leading man, actor Sasson Gabai, was named outstanding actor.
"I'm very flattered that people who see so many films and have such high standards, chose to give the best acting award to me of all people," Gabai told reports.
"A lot of times, the public's taste differs from that of the critics, but in the Band's case, it had overwhelming success, in Israel and abroad. It certainly feels great."
Ari Folman and Ronit Elkabetz were not present at the awards, as they were both on respective locations.
