Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles in full force

The 26th annual Israel Film Festival opened over the weekend in Los Angeles with a festive red carpet gala at Paramount Studios. Academy-Award nominee actor Jonah Hill was honored with the 2012 IFF Achievement in Film Award and “Homeland” (based on the Israeli series “Prisoners of War”) producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa along with Showtime President David Nevins were feted with the 2012 IFF Achievement in Television Award. Special guests at the gala event were Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport Limor Livnat and IFF Honorary co-Chairman Arnon Milchan.

Jonah Hill, nominated at this year’s Oscars for his role in “Moneyball,” is mostly known for his comedic roles in movies including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Knocked Up.” Hill’s colleague and frequent co-star Seth Rogen was on hand to present him with the award, and the punchlines just kept on rolling.

“Wow. That was a lot of Jews,” Rogen said. “I’m here to give an award to Jonah Hill, who’s Jewish, I assume that’s why we’re here ... Did they already give out the award for best circumcision? ... We have an award to Jonah Hill and to a show about Islamic terrorists. You’re really bursting outside the Israeli box this year, shattering our stereotypes.”

When Hill took the stage to accept the award, he thanked his friend, the festival organizers and added, “I want to thank Israel for creating a home base for our people all over the world, and most of all, I’d like to thank Israel for Natalie Portman. Thank you for her. We all love her and adore her.”

Among the star-studded event’s 300 guests were respected Hollywood figures and a strong showing of Israeli actors and producers, including Yaron Brovinsky, Oz Zehavi and Michael Moshanov. The festival opened on March 15 with Yossi Madmoni’s film “Restoration” (“Good Morning Mr. Fieldman” in Hebrew), which won best film at the Jerusalem Film Festival and best screenplay at the Sundance Film Festival.

“This year marks an important turning point in the relationship between Hollywood and the Israeli entertainment industry,” said Meir Fenigstein, IFF founder and executive director. “For 25 years, the IFF has made great strides in connecting the two, but for the first time, we are able to honor a remarkable U.S. TV show, “Homeland,” which is based on the successful Israeli series “Hatufim” (“Prisoners of War”).”

The festival is produced by the Israpost Fund, a non-profit organization established in 1985. The fund works in cooperation with the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles and with the support of the Israel Film Fund, the Rabinowitz Fund of the Israel Ministry of Absorption, the Israeli Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, Cheryl and Haim Saban, Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, the LeRoy and Shoshana Schechter Family Foundation and a number of corporate sponsors.

Milchan was part of an honorary committee that included Michael Douglas, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner and other Jewish Hollywood luminaries. Milchan went off script during his moment on stage to call out to Jonah Hill in the audience. “Jonah,” he said, “Do you want to be in a movie called ‘True Story-’”

“Yes,” Jonah said.

“Well, you’re in,” said Milchan.

Gordon, the “Homeland” creator, spoke about Israel in his speech, reminding the audience that the cast and crew will spend the month of May in Israel to film the show’s second season. He added, “Israel may not have oil, but it has talent. There’s something very special going on there.”

Full disclosure: Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson are primary shareholders of Israel Hayom.

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