In 2020, the NFCT and The WEIL BLOCH FOUNDATION established the
Weil Bloch Film Award for the Most Outstanding Films on the Subject of Shared Society in Israel.

Completion funds are awarded annually to two film projects in post-production stage (documentary or narrative):

+ First Prize – $50,000

+ Jury Award – $40,000

+ Special Mention Award – $15,000

Projects must deal with shared society between the various communities that make up Israel, co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians or issues of immigration and racism.

The winners are selected by a selection committee made up of leading film professionals, the NFCT team and the Weil Bloch Foundation representatives.

This prestigious award is a wonderful platform for promoting powerful Israeli films, in various genres, which highlight crucial issues of immigration, racism, minorities, identity, nationality and shared society. Thanks to the generous contribution made by the WEIL BLOCH FOUNDATION, the NFCT is able to expand the support it can offer to Israeli filmmakers and to promote excellent Israeli filmmaking both in Israel and internationally.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2023 cycle is: Coming soon!

For the regulations and the online application form, please click here (for Hebrew) or here (for Arabic).

The winners of the 2022 Weil Bloch Film Award were announced in a live ceremony, which took place at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa. Prizes totalling in $115,000 were awaded to the three winners and the ceremony was followed by a screening of the 2021 First Prize winner, Cinema Sabaya, by Orit Fouks Rotem and Green Productions.

The First Prize was presented by actress Dana Ivgy and was awarded to Karaoke, by Moshe Rosenthal, produced by Efrat Cohen, Gaudeamus Films.

The world of Meir and Tova, a middle class couple in their 60’s, is shaken up when Itsik – a pleasure seeking bachelor with a fondness for karaoke – moves into their building, causing a stir in their lives.

After a world premiere at the 2022 edition of Tribeca film festival in NYC, the film was selected to the main Israeli narrative competition at the Jerusalem Film Festival.

The Jury Prize was presented by Palestinian singer and artist Amal Murkus and was awarded to Upside Down (working title), written by Bat-El Moseri, directed by Lee Gilat and produced by Aviv Ben-Shlush, Zoa Films.

The film tells the story of 17-year-old Shahar, who’s studying at an at-risk youth facility called Beit Gila, and meets 19-year-old Perry, a soldier-counselor, newly assigned to the institute, who sees in Shahar depths no-one has ever seen in her. Their evolving friendship and love story will push both of them to the edge. 

The Special Mention Prize was presented by Prof. Zvia Walden-Peres and awarded to Savoy, directed and produced by Zohar Wagner. The world premiere of this fascinating docu-drama will take place in the framework of the main Israeli documentary competition at the 2022 Jerusalem Film Festival.

Kochava Levi, a 31-year-old housewife of Yemeni descent, was taken hostage during an attack on the Savoy hotel in Tel Aviv (March 1975). Over the course of one night, she transformed herself into a fearless heroine. However, by dawn, she was left with nothing but shame.

In the program's first year, three projects won awards totaling in $115,000.
The winners were announced during an online ceremony and the Awards were presented by international stars Gal Gadot and Shira Haas.

The Weil Bloch Film Award – Winners:

First Prize: Cinema Sabaya – Director – Orit Fouks Rotem, Producers: Green Productions. This is Fouks Rotem's first feature narrative film, which tells the story of a group of Jewish and Arab women who attend a film course for city workers and the intimate and often heartbreaking revelations this seemingly professional encounter brings forth.

Jury Award: Where is Anne Frank – Director: Ari Folman, Producers: Yves Kugelman, Jani Thiltges and Ari Folman. This breathtaking animated feature film uses the historical story of Anne Frank in a way that is relevant to our times and highlights issues such as minorities, immigration and xenophobia.

In addition, a Special Mention Award was presented to The Fourth Window – Director and Procuer: Yair Qedar. The film brings forth the life and work of internationally acclaimed author and social activist, the late Amos Oz, whose books have been translated into dozens of languages and who was one of Israel's most renowned peace activists.