Two JIFF films received nominations for Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Israeli actor Erain Naim has been nominated for a prestigious Asia Pacific Screen Award (APSA) for his role in Eynayim Sheli (Chained).
He will compete against actors from India, Islamic Republic of Iran and People’s Republic of China.
Advocate, by Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaiche, has been nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film. The compelling documentary is the story of Jewish Israeli lawyer human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel who has defended Palestinians in the Israeli courts for 50 years.
Both films are featured in Jewish International Film Festival [JIFF] which will be launched next week.
Erain Naim is the third Israeli actor to be nominated for an APSA for Best Performance by an Actor, following two nominations for Sasson Gabay in 2007 (Bikur Hatizmoret, the Band’s Visit) and 2011 (Boker Tov, Adon Fidelman, Restoration) and Lior Ashkenazi, who received a special mention for Hearat Shulayim (Footnote) in 2012.
Filmmaker Rachel Leah Jones will be in Sydney this weekend to present Advocate to Australian audiences at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival.
“We’re very excited about these two excellent films’ nominations at the prestigious Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Both are excellent cinematic works from talented Israeli storytellers,” said JIFF Artistic Director Eddie Tamir. “The nominations come ahead of their screenings at JIFF, which will include the Australian premiere of Chained – we look forward to bringing these wonderful films to local audiences around the country.”
APSA represents the 70 countries and areas of Asia Pacific, covering one third of the earth, and encompassing 4.5 billion people and half the world’s film.
APSA is an international cultural program supported by Brisbane City Council and powered by Brisbane Marketing. APSA is endorsed by foundation partners UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations. The awards ceremony is an exclusive presentation unique to Brisbane.
JIFF opens on October 23 To check titles, s
