Israel To Cut Funding For ‘Israeli Oscars’ After Film About Palestinian Boy Wins Top Awards

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 17:09 IST

Israel’s Culture Ministry criticised the Ophir Awards – known as the ‘Israeli Oscars’ – after ‘The Sea’, a movie about a Palestinian boy, won Best Picture and other awards.

‘The Sea’, about a Palestinian boy’s dream of seeing the ocean, won big at the ‘Israeli Oscars’. (Israeli Film Foundation)

Israel’s Culture Minister has pledged to cut funding for the country’s film academy, also known as the ‘Israeli Oscars’, and its annual awards show after a movie about a Palestinian boy’s dream of seeing the ocean won the top accolade.

The Israeli Academy of Film and Television awarded the 2025 Best Picture award to “The Sea” at the Ophir Awards on Tuesday, according to CNN. The film follows a young boy’s road trip from his home of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to the coastal city of Tel Aviv.

The movie was directed by Shai Carmeli Pollak and is set to represent Israel at the Oscars in the International Feature Film category. It also won four other awards, including four other awards, including best actor for 13-year-old Muhammad Ghazawi, the youngest recipient of the award.

During the ceremony, multiple filmmakers and nominees urged an end to the war in Gaza, while others voiced criticism of the Israeli government. “This film is about every child’s right to live in peace, a basic right we will not give up on,” said Baher Agbariya. “We are all equal.”

Israel Slams ‘Disgraceful Ceremony’

A day after the Israeli ceremony, the Israeli Ministry of Culture announced it would withdraw state funding for “the disgraceful ceremony” starting next year. The ministry said the movie “presents the Palestinian perspective” and depicts the Israeli military and country in a “negative way”.

“The fact that the winning film depicts our heroic soldiers in a defamatory and false way while they fight and risk their lives to protect us no longer surprises anyone,” said Culture Minister Miki Zohar, calling the movie a “spit in the face of Israeli citizens”.

On Wednesday, Zohar announced the creation of “Israeli State Oscar”, a new government-sponsored film awards ceremony to award Israeli filmmakers and movies that “reflect the nation’s values and spirit”, reported CNN.

However, the Israeli Academy defended the selection process for movies, saying it is “conducted by academy members, creators, filmmakers, and cultural figures, who choose the best of Israeli cinema with a commitment to cinematic excellence, artistic freedom, and freedom of expression.”

Meanwhile, legal experts are questioning the legality of defunding the academy. Oded Feller, the legal adviser of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, told CNN that Zohar is “waving empty threats” and has no authority to withhold the funds. “The ministry’s budget does not belong to his mother, and he is not empowered to interfere with cultural content or the professional judgment of those who select the films,” he said.

Gaza War On Display At Emmys

The ongoing war in Gaza, which has left more than 64,000 Palestinians dead and sparked widespread outrage, was raised at this week’s Emmy awards, where actors including Hannah Einbinder and Javier Bardem called for a ceasefire. Over 1,000 actors and directors have vowed not to work with Israeli film institutions.

Writer Daniel O’Brien, who accepted the award for best scripted variety series on behalf of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” spoke of a growing feeling in Hollywood that speaking out against the present US government is increasingly hard.

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

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