Indian Film Festival begins in Israel as Nation aims for Global Cinema spotlight

India’s film festival in Netanya, Israel, kicked off with Kiran Rao’s “Laapataa Ladies.” The event, leading up to WAVES 2025, aims to strengthen India’s position as a global film production hub. The festival, running until March 8, features acclaimed films like “Dangal,” “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” “Mimi,” “English Vinglish,” and “777 Charlie.”

The festival highlights India’s cultural diversity, heritage, and storytelling brilliance. “Laapataa Ladies,” India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards, captivated Israeli audiences. Moviegoers praised its emotional depth and compelling narrative. Lev Aran, a senior Israeli journalist, shared his admiration, saying the film left him “spellbound.”

Organized by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with Movieland, Netanya, the festival promotes cultural ties between India and Israel. India’s Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, emphasized the festival’s role in deepening connections. “This event not only provides quality entertainment but also fosters collaboration between our film industries,” he said.

Singh highlighted India’s growing role in global cinema. He noted the India-Israel Audio-Visual Co-production agreement’s first film is nearing completion. He also stressed India’s commitment to becoming a major film production hub, offering incentives like 40% reimbursement of production costs. “India has stunning locations, skilled technicians, and cutting-edge technology, making it ideal for international filmmakers,” Singh added.

Encouraging Israeli producers to explore co-productions, Singh invited stakeholders to the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025. He projected India’s media and entertainment industry would reach $50 billion by 2029. Singh also promoted the “Create in India Challenge: Season 1,” a precursor to WAVES 2025, featuring competitions in animation, gaming, films, and new media.

Netanya’s Deputy Mayor, Adir Benyamini, welcomed the festival, calling it a bridge between cultures. “Netanya is proud to host the Indian Film Festival 2025. We hope this becomes a lasting tradition,” he said.

Israeli actor Tsahi HaLevi, known for “Fauda” and Bollywood’s “Akelli,” attended the event. He recalled his visit to India and expressed hopes for more collaborations. “Art builds friendships and strengthens relationships between nations,” HaLevi remarked.

To celebrate Bollywood’s influence, HaLevi surprised the audience by singing “Tujhe Dekha Toh Ye Jaana Sanam” from “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.” The crowd cheered, highlighting the deep cultural bond between India and Israel.

With a growing partnership and shared appreciation for cinema, the festival marks a new chapter in India-Israel cultural relations. As both countries explore co-productions and creative exchanges, the future of their film industries looks promising.