Israeli Filmmaker Nitzan Giladi Dies at 56 After Cancer Battle

Nitzan Giladi, a respected Israeli filmmaker known for works such as "Paper Wedding," "In the Name of Satmar," and "Jerusalem Proud to Present," passed away at the age of 56 after a prolonged fight with cancer. His funeral is scheduled for 6 PM today at the Rehovot cemetery. Giladi was a prominent figure in both documentary and narrative Israeli cinema, with his feature film "Paper Wedding" receiving nine Ophir Award nominations. His documentaries, including "In the Name of Satmar," "As If There Is No Tomorrow," and "Jerusalem Proud to Present," earned significant acclaim and multiple international awards.

Last year, Giladi publicly shared his cancer diagnosis on social media, describing the emotional and physical toll of the disease, including liver metastases. Colleagues from the Documentary Forum praised him for mentoring emerging filmmakers and supporting creative projects during their most vulnerable stages, emphasizing his lasting impact on Israeli cinema. They expressed gratitude for his generosity, professionalism, and dedication.

Recently, Giladi was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Documentary Forum and Docaviv Festival, recognizing his 14 years of leadership in the flagship project "Docustart," which he founded and passionately led. His legacy continues through the many films and filmmakers he helped bring to life.