Lebna Finkelshtein to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Ophir Awards

The Israeli Film and Television Academy will honor veteran actress Lebna Finkelshtein with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Ophir Awards ceremony, scheduled for September 9 at Cinema City Glilot. The 78-year-old Finkelshtein, a prominent figure in Israeli cinema, television, and theater, was announced as the recipient on Sunday.

"When they told me I had won, I felt a chill run through my whole body, goosebumps from sheer excitement," Finkelshtein stated following the announcement. She emphasized the role of art during challenging times, saying, "In these tense and heavy days, culture and art are what lift the soul, comfort, and bring good to people's hearts."

The Academy cited Finkelshtein's "long, fruitful, and diverse career," noting her versatility as both a dramatic and comedic actress. Her notable film roles include "A Tale of Love and Darkness," "The Farewell Party," "The Cat's Meow," and "The Silence," with the Academy highlighting her belief that "there are no 'small roles.'"

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1947, Finkelshtein immigrated to Israel as an infant. She graduated from the Beit Zvi acting school in 1967 and later studied in New York. She was a founder of the IDF Theater during her military service. Her breakthrough film role came at age 21 in Menahem Golan's "My Daughter My Life" (1969). She has since appeared in numerous films and performed in major Israeli theaters.

Finkelshtein has frequently collaborated with director Shmi Zarhin, appearing in films like "Aviva My Love," "The World is Funny," and "The Silence." She previously won an Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for "A Tale of Love and Darkness" and a Best Actress award at the Haifa Film Festival for "The Farewell Party."

In addition to acting, Finkelshtein is also a sculptor, with her bronze works exhibited in Israel and Bulgaria. One of her sculptures, "Re'ut," commemorates the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust and the relationship between Israel and Bulgaria. Finkelshtein reflected on her career, stating that portraying women from diverse Israeli backgrounds has allowed her to connect with and reflect the Israeli society and the importance of culture within it.