See you at the movies!

Twenty-first century Israel is not only a medical and hi-tech leader throughout the world, but a cinematic powerhouse as well.

This talent and drive will be on display during the 18th annual Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema–Chicagoland’s only all-Israeli-all-the-time film festival–April 29-May 9.

The result is a big tent, community-wide cultural event of which everyone can, and should be, proud.

To celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday, the Festival kicks off with a romantic comedy from Erez Tadmor ( A Matter of Size) . Titled Matchmaking , the rom-com follows a young, handsome Orthodox man’s attempt to find “the one.” Attendees at this live and in-person sneak preview can enter to win a 6-month subscription to JDate or JSwipe. The screening will take place on April 29 at 8:30 p.m. at the Landmark Theatres in The Glen, Glenview.

For Israeli history buffs, there are two significant documentaries with equally significant guests. The first is an artistic retrospective of the work of famed Israeli photographer Micha Bar-Am by highly accomplished director Ran Tal: 1341 Frames of Love and War . Tal, who appeared at the Festival back in 2018, will make a return personal appearance, along with James Snyder, former director of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The pair will be interviewed by Professor Elie Rekhess of Northwestern University’s Israel Innovation Project. The live screening will take place on Sunday, April 30 at 5:45 p.m. at the Landmark Theatres in The Glen, Glenview.

The second historic film, Tal Inbar’s Closed Circuit , recounts the 2016 terrorist attack in Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market, using actual closed circuit camera footage interspersed with the testimonies of people who were there and lived the experience in real time: members of Jewish and Arab families having celebratory dinners; restaurant employees; casual passers-by; off-duty police officers; and more.

Closed Circuit , a Chicago premiere, has all the adrenaline-pumping drama of Fauda, with the humanity of all involved shining through. Even more exciting– Nancy Spielberg, the film’s producer, will be present for a Q&A at both screenings, the first on May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Chicago Loop Synagogue, and the second on May 4 at 7 p.m. at the Landmark Theatres in The Glen, Glenview.

The rest of the 2023 Festival’s films are also filled with noteworthy Israeli stars and content:

In Karaoke , Sasson Gabay ( The Band’s Visit, Shtisel) and Rita Shukrun ( Ha-Chevre Ha-Tovim ) play a middle-aged couple captivated by their hedonistic new neighbor (Lior Ashkenazi of Walk on Water , Norman , and Footnote fame). And The Other Widow — a shiva showdown between a deceased theater director’s wife and mistress–showcases the acting chops of Dana Ivgy ( Zero Motivation ) and Ania Bukstein ( Game of Thrones ).

Ofir Raul Grazier follows up his amazing directorial debut of The Cakemaker , with America , starring father and son Moni ( Late Marriage ) and Michael ( Mabul ) Moshonov and Ethiopian-Israeli sensation Oshrat Ingadashet. This film is about an Israeli swimming coach based in Chicago, who returns to Israel to bury his father and renew a relationship with an old friend and his fiancé.

There is much to be learned from the remaining well-curated documentaries as well, including Chanoch Ze’evi’s Bad Nazi, Good Nazi , shown in a double feature with Esther Takac’s The Narrow Bridge .

Finally, the Festival is proud to present a family friendly program of animated shorts–one of which, Black Slide , was nominated for a 2023 Academy Award.

All films (with English subtitles) will be shown in person. With the exception of three programs, all films can also be streamed. For a complete list of films, tickets, passes, trailers, and in-person schedules, visitisraelifilmchi.org.

Cindy Stern is the Executive Director of the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema.