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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider 18th Israel film festival puts women at the center

18th Israel film festival puts women at the center

Published Jul 28, 2025 02:28 pm
Deputy Ambassador Ester Buzgan, Mme. Gila Fluss (wife of Ambassador IlanFluss), and Ambassador Ilan Fluss of the Embassy of Israel
Deputy Ambassador Ester Buzgan, Mme. Gila Fluss (wife of Ambassador IlanFluss), and Ambassador Ilan Fluss of the Embassy of Israel
Cinema has the power to hold a mirror to our lives — not only to entertain, but to ask the questions we don’t always speak out loud.
This year’s theme, “Women at the Center,” highlighted the experiences, insights, and emotional depth of women in cinema. From July 24 to 27, the featured films encouraged audiences to reflect on what it means to love, lead, wait, rebel, and care — and how those stories shape the people and the societies we become.
Now in its 18th year, the four-day Israeli Film Festival in the Philippines celebrated award-winning films exploring identity, motherhood, the freedom to choose, and the universal impact of women’s stories.
The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines kicked off its 18th Israeli Film Festival with the gala screening of “Golda” at BHS Cinemas in Central Square, Bonifacio Global City. The film explores the life and legacy of Golda Meir, Israel’s first and only female Prime Minister and founder of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Golda offers a compelling look at Meir’s leadership during one of the most critical moments in Israel’s modern history — the 1973 Yom Kippur War — highlighting how she faced an existential threat with resilience and resolve.
Ambassador Ilan Fluss delivers his opening remarks at the 18th Israeli Film Festival launch
Ambassador Ilan Fluss delivers his opening remarks at the 18th Israeli Film Festival launch
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Ilan Fluss emphasized the theme of this year’s festival — the importance of women and their role in shaping history, culture, and society. He highlighted the value of sharing narratives that place women at the center of storytelling, and reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections through culture and the arts.
The festival also reflected the Embassy’s broader effort to introduce Filipino audiences to a vibrant, creative, and diverse side of Israel — one that goes beyond headlines, and speaks through the language of cinema and culture.
The evening marked the beginning of a four-day celebration of cinema and storytelling, with a focus on the enduring impact and contributions of women — both on screen and behind the scenes.
All films are in Hebrew with English subtitles, except “Golda”, which is entirely in English. Other featured films were “The Art of Waiting”, “Milky Way”, “Zero Motivation”, and “Marrying Myself”.
Ambassador Ilan Fluss with Mme. Gila Fluss
Ambassador Ilan Fluss with Mme. Gila Fluss
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