Welcome to our 8th British Film Festival

There is an historic strand to this year’s British Film Festival. In 1948, Britain was in the final months of its Mandate in Palestine. Sixty years later, our special programme of archive material looks back to this time. This unique material is seductive, evoking a sense of time and nostalgia; and yet our shared history has a continuing influence on the politics and culture of Israel today. Our panel discussions throughout Israel will explore the role of Britain in our relationship that has lasted over ninety years.

With our minds already in the 1940s, we are delighted to screen the Israeli premiere of Joe Wright’s Atonement, already nominated for seven Golden Globe awards. Together with our Ealing Comedies retrospective, these films will transport you to Britain in the 1930s and 1940s.

There are other, more contemporary, highlights this year. David Mackenzie’s Hallam Foe, features an extraordinary performance by Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot), and Sarah Gavron’s Brick Lane is a remarkable adaptation of Monica Ali’s bestselling novel. As always, it is our privilege to bring some of Britain’s emerging film talent to meet and work with Israeli professionals, students and audiences. In only two years, our Film in the Classroom project has developed into a nationwide initiative that will engage school students from Safed to Eilat; and BI ARTS, our professional arts development programme, is once again making a positive difference.

Many thanks again to our partners, sponsors and distributors; and of course to you, the audience, whose passion for film makes the British Film Festival such an exciting event.

Julia Smith
Deputy Director
British Council