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 p.m. today at the Rehovot cemetery. Giladi was a prominent figure in both documentary and narrative Israeli cinema, with his film "Paper Wedding" receiving nine Ophir Award nominations and his documentaries earning international acclaim.

Last year, Giladi publicly shared his cancer diagnosis and the challenges he faced, including metastases to his liver. He described the emotional and physical pain of his illness in a heartfelt social media post. Colleagues from the Documentary Forum praised him for mentoring emerging filmmakers and supporting new projects, highlighting his generosity, professionalism, and lasting impact on Israeli cinema.

Recently, Giladi was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Documentary Forum and Docaviv Festival, primarily recognizing his 14-year leadership of the "Docustart" initiative, which he founded to nurture documentary filmmakers. His legacy continues through the many films and artists he helped bring to the screen.