The 40th Haifa International Film Festival Opening Event

Prepare your suits and gowns, get your tickets, and come to the festival's opening event.

THURSDAT | 2.1.2025

18:00 STAR OG FAME CEREMONY:

Pnina Blayer R.I.P

Michael Shvily R.I.P

18:30 RECEPTION COCKTAIL AT HECHT GARDEN

20:00 Opening ceremony and awarding Pnina Blayer the festival special award for lifetime contribution to the creation of cinematic culture in Israel

20:30 "THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG" screening in the presence of the director and producer

Don’t miss out! Tickets are limited!

Click here for tickets

Iman, an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, grapples with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify and his gun mysteriously disappears. Suspecting the involvement of his wife Najmeh and daughters Rezvan and Sana, he imposes drastic measures at home, causing tensions to escalate. Step by step, social norms and the rules of family life begin to disintegrate.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig won the Jury Special Award, the FIPRESCI Prize, and received the longest standing ovation at Cannes this year. Filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof daringly escaped Iran to attend the premiere, after being sentenced to flogging and eight years in jail.

Filmography: There Is No Evil (2020), A Man of Integrity (2017), Manuscripts Don’t Burn (2013).