Moshe Rozental’s Film 'Independence' Breaks Record with 16 Ophir Award Nominations

The Israeli Film Academy announced the nominees for the 2026 Ophir Awards, Israel’s premier film awards, with Moshe Rozental’s second feature film "Independence" setting a new record with 16 nominations. The film, which opened the Jerusalem Film Festival this summer, is set in 1987 and tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who uncovers a devastating secret about his father, played by Assi Cohen.

Following "Independence," two films, Avi Nesher’s "Our Loves" and Shuli Rand and Gidi Dar’s "The Clown," each received 12 nominations, competing closely for top honors. The awards ceremony will be hosted by actors Shani Cohen and Adam Gabay and is scheduled for September 9 at Cinema City in Glilot.

Notably, actor Ido Tako is nominated twice in the Best Supporting Actor category for his roles in both "Independence" and "Where Levin," the latter being Asaf Meknas’s debut film about a Palestinian Uber driver in Berlin. The late director Nitzan Giladi, who passed away last month after battling esophageal cancer, received a nomination for his short narrative film "Nechama," starring Raymond Amsalem.

The full list of nominees spans categories including Best Feature Film, Best Actor and Actress, Supporting Roles, Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography, Music, Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Casting, and Soundtrack. The nominated films reflect a diverse range of stories and talents within Israeli cinema, highlighting both established and emerging artists.

The Ophir Awards are a significant event in Israeli culture, often influencing the country’s submission for the Academy Awards. This year’s ceremony promises to celebrate a rich variety of cinematic achievements, with "Independence" leading the field in recognition.