Israeli Filmmaker Nitzan Giladi Dies at 56 After Cancer Battle

Nitzan Giladi, an Israeli director, screenwriter, and producer known for his work in both documentary and narrative cinema, passed away at his home on Monday at the age of 56. His mother confirmed that he had been hospitalized in a hospice prior to his death. Giladi's funeral is scheduled for 6 p.m. today at the Rehovot cemetery.

Over more than two decades, Giladi created films exploring themes of identity, family, community, belonging, and marginalized social lives, often blending intimate stories with broader political and social issues. A graduate of Telma Yelin and Circle in the Square in New York, his notable documentaries include "The Last Enemy," "In the Name of Satmar" (2003), "Jerusalem Proud to Present" (2008), and "Family Time." His films were screened at international festivals, won awards, and aired on television channels outside Israel.

"In the Name of Satmar" depicted the story of a Yemenite Jewish family brought to the U.S. by Satmar community activists, highlighting cultural gaps. "Jerusalem Proud to Present" focused on the struggle to hold the Pride Parade in Jerusalem. In 2015, Giladi transitioned to feature narrative cinema with "Paper Wedding," which he wrote, directed, and produced. The film starred Moran Rosenblatt, Assi Levy, and Roy Assaf, and told the story of a young woman with mild intellectual disability fighting for independence and love. It was screened at the Toronto Film Festival, won awards at the Jerusalem Film Festival, received nine Ophir Award nominations, and was distributed in New York cinemas.

Giladi later directed "As If There Is No Tomorrow," a drama centered on a deadly hate crime during Tel Aviv's Pride Parade, exploring themes including the 'chemsex' subculture in the LGBTQ+ community. His narrative work maintained a documentary sensibility, focusing on characters navigating identity, community, loneliness, and visibility.

Alongside his filmmaking, Giladi taught visual communication at the Holon Institute of Technology for many years. He also founded and led "Docustart," a flagship project of the Documentary Forum supporting emerging filmmakers, which he ran for 14 years. Shortly before his death, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Documentary Forum and Docaviv Festival.

In the last year and a half, Giladi battled esophageal cancer with liver metastases. In a December 2023 interview with ynet, he spoke openly about his illness and treatments, documenting parts of his experience on camera. The Documentary Forum mourned his passing, praising his dedication to nurturing new talent and his lasting impact on Israeli cinema.