43rd Jerusalem Film Festival to Open With Moshe Rosenthal’s “Independence”

The 43rd Jerusalem International Film Festival announced today, Wednesday, that it will open with “Independence,” the new film by director Moshe Rosenthal (“Karaoke”). The festival will take place this year from July 9 to 19, 2026.

The gala opening will be held on July 9 outdoors at the Sultan’s Pool, before an audience of about 6,000 spectators and guests, with the participation of the filmmakers and cast. The film, produced by Alona Rephaia (Green Productions) and United King Films, features a cast led by Assi Cohen, one of Israel’s most prominent and beloved actors, in his first leading film role in 15 years. Also starring are Ido Tako, a rising star of Israeli cinema, veteran theater actress Keren Tzur, and child actor Yair Mazor in his debut performance.

“Independence” arrives in Jerusalem after its world premiere earlier this year at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, where it became the first full-length Israeli narrative film accepted to the American festival in about a decade.

“We are excited to open the 43rd edition of the Jerusalem International Film Festival with ‘Independence’,” said Jerusalem Cinematheque CEO and festival director Roni Mahdav-Levin and artistic director Or Sigoli. “The choice of an original and gripping Israeli work as the opening film underscores the festival’s commitment to placing local cinema at the forefront, לצד the rich international program and the Israeli competitions, whose full details will be published soon. We invite the audience to an exceptional cinematic celebration that will bring the best of Israeli and world cinema to Jerusalem.”

Director Moshe Rosenthal also shared his feelings ahead of the screening at the Sultan’s Pool: “It is a great honor to open the festival with ‘Independence’ and to present the film for the first time to an Israeli audience on this impressive stage. At a time when Israeli cinema is facing challenges on the global stage, the support and platform that the Jerusalem Festival gives us are more meaningful than ever. ‘Independence’ is a film that takes the personal, the small, and the local and translates it into a cinematic experience meant for the biggest screen. I am excited for the opportunity to celebrate the film and Israeli cinema together with the audience, and to feel the passion and excitement in the air.”