Jerusalem Opens the 42nd International Film Festival

Jerusalem has officially launched its 42nd International Film Festival.
The opening ceremony took place at the open-air Sultan’s Pool amphitheater, bringing together over 5,000 participants, including leading directors, actors, critics, and film industry professionals from around the world.

The festival opened with the screening of “Sentimental Value” by Norwegian director Joachim Trier, a filmmaker previously honored with international awards. The film received positive feedback from both critics and general audiences.

A highlight of the evening was the special recognition of actress Gal Gadot and producer Lawrence Bender for their outstanding contributions to world cinema.

This year’s festival program includes screenings of more than 200 films from various countries, including Israel, France, Germany, Japan, Iran, and the USA. The schedule features feature films and documentaries, world premieres, retrospectives, as well as educational events such as master classes, meetings with filmmakers, and professional discussions.

The festival runs until July 27, 2025.