Culture Minister Backs Council's Plan to Cut Film Festival Funding

The Israeli Cinema Council has recommended to Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar the complete cancellation of the scoring mechanism that provides government support to films participating in international festivals. This move comes amid controversy surrounding the film "Incidental Damage," which has been criticized for allegedly harming Israel's image abroad. The council also proposed establishing a dedicated funding track for films focusing on the heroism of IDF soldiers and Israeli military history.

Minister Zohar immediately welcomed the recommendations, announcing his intention to adopt them swiftly. He stated that international festivals have repeatedly shown a desire to harm Israel, and the country should not fund films intended for success in such venues. Zohar emphasized that the proposed dedicated funding for films about IDF heroism is crucial and will be implemented quickly, reinforcing a broader reform he has led in the film industry.

The Cinema Council explained that these steps are designed to counter coordinated campaigns of defamation against Israel in global media and festivals, while simultaneously bolstering creative works connected to national identity and the memory of heroism. The proposed cancellation of the scoring system aims to prevent public funding for content that damages the country's reputation.

The new funding track will exclusively support content highlighting the contributions of IDF soldiers and security forces to the nation's existence, aligning with the principles of Memorial Day law. The council stressed that these recommendations are the result of extensive professional work that began before the current controversy and that the reform will continue to uphold freedom of expression and creation, while shifting primary incentives towards Israeli memory and identity.