Cautious optimism at JFF panel on post-October 7 Israeli cinema

A panel at the Jerusalem Film Festival discussed the challenges and resilience of Israeli cinema post-October 7, focusing on Avi Nesher's upcoming film, Our Loves. Producer Danny Cohen expressed "Academy Award potential" for the film, which depicts the October 7 events through the eyes of southern Israeli residents. Panelists, including Nesher, Cohen, Emilio Schenker of SIPUR, and Yoav Abramovich of the Israeli Cinema Project, acknowledged the impact of boycotts and antisemitism on the industry. Abramovich noted, "Before October 7, success at festivals depended largely on making a good film. Today that's no longer enough." Despite the difficulties, they emphasized the importance of courageous partners and the power of cinema to foster empathy, citing a positive reception for Our Loves at a Writers Guild of America screening. The discussion highlighted Israel's filmmaking talent and the need to continue producing quality work to counter negative perceptions.