The 20th annual Israel Film Festival, the largest showcase of Israeli films in the US, and the only film festival that will visit four American cities - Los Angeles (April 29 - May 13), New York (June 17 - July 1), Chicago (October 14 - 24) and Miami (November 3 -14), will screen 37 new feature films, documentaries, television movies and student short films. The first leg of the film festival will start in Los Angeles from April 29th through May 13th. Tony award-winning actor Jason Alexander (best known as "George Costanza" on Seinfeld") will host the gala Opening Night festivities, Thursday, April 29th, at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theatre, which will include special tributes to pioneering filmmakers Gale Anne Hurd (producer of "The Hulk", "Aliens", "The Terminator", "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"), Norman Jewison (Director of "In The Heat of the Night"; has been personally nominated for four Oscars; his films have received 46 nominations and 12 Academy Awards. In 1999, Jewison received the Irving Thalberg Award at the Academy Awards) and Arthur Hiller (Director of Love Story; served two terms as President of the Directors Guild of America, as a member of the Board of Governors and four terms as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and as a member of the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress.)

Following the tributes will be the premiere of “Nina’s Tragedies,” the thought-provoking film from writer/director Savi Gabizon, which is the first Israeli feature to debut at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. The film won 11 Israeli Academy prizes including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Wellspring is planning to release the film in the United States in early 2005.

Since 1982, the Israel Film Festival has been dedicated to promoting Israeli culture, teaching tolerance and gaining an understanding between all people worldwide through the powerful medium of film.

Many of this year’s Festival selections are US Premieres, intriguing documentaries, the best short films from Israel’s film schools and films that exhibit the cultural, religious and political diversity of Israel. In addition to celebrating 20 years of presenting the finest Israeli films to American audiences, the 20th Israel Film Festival will showcase some of the best, entertaining Israeli films from past and present in a new special spotlight section.

Opening Night Gala tickets for Los Angeles are $100.00. Tickets are still available at this time, and the event is anticipated to sell out. To purchase tickets or for further information on all screenings and events, call 1-877-966-5566 or visit www.israelfilmfestival.com.