The Israeli premiere of the film Brick Lane closed our 8th British Film Festival with an exotic eastern flourish, hosting film director Sarah Gavron and lead actor Christopher Simpson. Once again, Israeli audiences flocked to see some of the best of UK cinema in Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We were proud to have selected a programme that included seven Oscar and no less than 16 BAFTA nominations this year. Yet the highlight was definitely provided by the archive footage from the British Mandate period that we put together to commemorate Israel’s 60th anniversary. Calls have been flooding in for more access to this material – if you are interested please e-mail us

A groundbreaking exchange between the Habimah National Theatre of Israel and the Royal National Theatre in London is taking place in 2007-8 with the support of our BI ARTS programme. Staged play readings, panel discussions and workshops of new political drama are taking place in Israel and Britain. Five leading Israeli playwrights visited the UK in October 2007 for Conflicts and Confrontations - a three-day event dedicated to new Israeli political drama at the Royal Theatre.

Following the successful initiative, Habima theatre hosted a staged reading festival of British contemporary political plays on March 2008.

Five British plays were translated for the event and read in Hebrew. In addition, workshops and panel discussions took place with special guests Nicholas Hytner, Director of the Royal National Theatre, and British playwrights J. T. Rogers and Ryan Craig. These key figures in UK theatre shed light on the unique process of writing a political play for members of the Israeli theatrical community. Read more

Interview with Nicholas Hytner in Haaretz in Hebrew and in English.

FameLab was launched in Israel in March 2007 as part of Beautiful Science, our regional project in South East Europe. Now in its second year, FameLab invited young scientists (up to age 35) who are passionate about science to participate in this international science communication competition and share their enthusiasm with the general public.

National FINAL: 5 May, 19:00, Hemda Centre in Tel Aviv.

Join us for the Famelab final where nine finalists, selected in three local competitions, will compete to communicate a scientific concept without visual aids. Contestants will each have three minutes to impress the judges and the audience with an entertaining and original talk that is scientifically accurate, exciting and engaging for the general public. Admission is free but seats are limited! Online reservation at Hemda or call 03-5210800.

Find out more about the competition, prizes, partners and sponsors.

A series of contemporary music workshops and performances with some of the UK’s leading DJs took place this year in collaboration with the Israeli music colleges Hed Music Centre and Muzic School. Events were supported by our BI ARTS programme. The list of participating artists included DJ Mala (August 2007), The Bug (October 2007), MK with Roots Manuva (December 2007), Vibronics (March 2008) and lately Dreadzone sound system.

Greg Roberts, founder of the legendary group Dreadzone, well known for its wonderful and skilful combination of reggae and black music, came Israel in May 2008 for a one time show and workshop in Tel Aviv, with lead singer M.C Spee. Known for its unique way of combining different music styles such as dub, hip hop, reggae, dance hall, techno, drum and bass and more, the group has changed the world of reggae and continues to be a dominant player in the UK scene today.

Nigel Charnock, a founder member of DV8 Physical Theatre, is renowned as a maverick and a captivating performer with a string of internationally renowned solo shows to his name. Last April Charnock led a professional dance workshop for professional dancers at the Group in Jaffa school, examining his methodology and unique style of performance. This is the third time Nigel has taught this unique workshop in Israel. Read more

Video footage of Nigel’s previous workshop in Israel can be viewed here