Two very different Israeli films will screen at the 2026 Tribeca Festival in New York. Israeli films have long had a strong presence at the festival, which will run from June 3-14.
Ruthy Pribar’s new feature, What is to Come, has been selected for the international competition and will have its world premiere at the festival, according to press materials. The film stars Ronit Yudkevitz and Yaakov Zada Daniel.
The selection marks a return to Tribeca for Pribar, whose debut feature, Asia, also screened there and won three awards – the Nora Ephron Prize for Pribar, Best Actress for Shira Haas, and Best Cinematography for Daniella Nowitz – before going on to take nine Ophir Awards in Israel.
“Our film was created during a period of much pain and uncertainty and presents the possibility of a new beginning and hope,” Pribar said. “I am happy and filled with pride at the opportunity to present the film before an audience, and I believe that the humanity in it will find its way into viewers’ hearts.”
The film centers on Yehudit and Michael, a farming couple in their 60s who fall into a deep financial crisis and decide to end their lives. At the last moment, Yehudit changes her mind, but for Michael it is too late. Left alone for the first time in 40 years, she must grapple with fear, guilt, and mounting debts. When creditors come knocking, she flees to Eilat, where she meets Eli and tries to build a new life.
“Participation in an international festival has become a high bar for Israeli films,” producer Yoav Roeh said. “We hope that the screening in New York marks the beginning of a change, and that in the near future, we will return to days when it was a source of pride to represent Israeli culture.”
Liron Edery, head of distribution at United King Films, said: “Despite the not-simple conditions for Israeli cinema at this time, Ruthy Pribar’s excellent film was selected to be included in the international competition. In the very inclusion of the film in this prestigious festival, precisely at the present time, there is recognition that Israeli cinema continues to beat, and that art can grow and speak to the human heart beyond borders and political contexts.”
‘The Tale of a Wedding Entertainer’
Also heading to Tribeca is Moishe Badhan (or The Tale of a Wedding Entertainer), the new film by Gidi Dar and Shuli Rand in the Viewpoints section. Its world premiere is scheduled for June 4, with Dar and cast members Shuli Rand, Tzofit Grant, Malchi Goldman, and American Jewish comedian Elon Gold expected to attend.
Moishe Badhan tells the story of Moishe, once one of Jerusalem’s leading wedding jesters, who has lost his status because of alcoholism and now lives hand to mouth. When his 31-year-old daughter receives a promising match, he is faced with the seemingly impossible task of raising $20,000 for the wedding. After repeated failures, an unusual opportunity arises that gives him a chance not only to secure the money, but also to return to the stage and reclaim his former glory.
The screenplay is by Rand, based on a story by Rand and Dar. The cast also includes Tal Friedman, Gold, Grant, Goldman, Arieh Cherner, Eli Gornstein, Michal Yannai, Nira Rabinovitch, and Noam Inbar. United King Films is handling the production and distribution. Rand and Dar have worked together in the past, notably on the films Ushpizin and Legend of Destruction.
Israeli films have often won important prizes and critical acclaim at the Tribeca Festival, which was created by Rosenthal, De Niro, and Craig Hatkoff to help revitalize lower Manhattan following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
David Volach’s My Father My Lord and Talya Lavie’s Zero Motivation each won the Best Narrative Feature Award. Ohad Knoller received the Best Actor Award for Yossi & Jagger, while Joy Rieger won the Best Actress Award for the film Virgins. Most recently, Tom Nesher’s Come Closer won the Viewpoints section in 2024.
The festival will also include the world premiere of the documentary Noga, about Israeli alternative pop singer Noga Erez. The movie, which was directed and produced by Jono Bergmann and Benji Bergmann, is an American/Austrian/German/Israeli co-production.
It follows Erez, as she is on the brink of superstardom with a distinctive, captivating sound and a major studio album on the way. It shows how she must redefine her role as a global star when war breaks out in 2023.
After the premiere, there will be an acoustic performance by Erez and Ori Rousso.
Source:
www.jpost.com
