Avi Nesher’s latest film, Our Loves, will open the 42nd Haifa International Film Festival, and he will be honored at the festival’s opening ceremony with a Lifetime Achievement Award, for his cinematic excellence and outstanding contribution to Israeli culture. The film has been nominated for Ophir Awards in 12 categories, including best picture, director, screenplay, cinematography, editing, and original music. The world premiere of Our Loves will take place at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it has been selected to screen in the prestigious Centerpiece program. The 42nd edition of the Haifa International Film Festival will take place from 26.9 – 3.10, 2026.
Avi Nesher is one of the most prolific and prominent Israeli filmmakers, with a career that spans nearly half a century, from The Troupe (1978) to The Monkey House (2023), including my personal favorite Turn Left at the End of the World (2004). Our Loves is his 21st film, and like many others, such as Image of Victory (2021), is inspired by true events. A distinctive aspect of Nesher’s storytelling is his ability to create memorable, grounded, emotionally rich and complex characters that elicit the viewer’s empathy. Our Loves tells of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack through the stories of 7 different individuals whose stories intertwine. The film introduces each of the characters on October 6th, as each of them struggles within a relationship. They all believe that October 6th is the worst day of their lives, the day that love went wrong. The viewer becomes acquainted with each character over the course of October 6th, empathizing with their troubles and smiling at the comic aspects of their lives – then the next day finds them struggling to survive.
The film stars Shalom Michaelshvilli, Magi Azarzar, Yaniv Biton, Noa Cohen, Daniel Gimpel, Hadas Yaron, Evelin Hagoel, Lena Fraifeld, Chancela Mongoza, Kim Or Azulai, Lev Lieb Levin, Naomi Aharoni Gal (Nunu), Lior Miller, Elad Turgeman, Amir Banai, Nevo Katan, and Itamar Pinto. Our Loves is produced by United King Films, Sipur Studios, Artomas Communications, Zoa Films, Fox Entertainment Studios, and Access Entertainment, and with the support of the Rabinovich Foundation, Gesher Film Fund, Avi Chai Foundation, Paul Singer Foundation and Keshet 12. The film will be screened courtesy of United King Films.
Artistic Director Yaron Shamir stated, “We are proud to open the Haifa International Film Festival with Avi Nesher’s latest film and to honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Avi is one of the most consistent, beloved, and admired directors in Israeli cinema. Many of his films have become classics, warmly embraced by Israeli audiences. Our Loves looks at the pain we all experienced on October 7th, but also offers hope, compassion, and the possibility of healing.”
The Haifa International Film Festival takes place with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports – Israeli Film Council, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Regional Cooperation, and the Haifa Municipality. The festival’s Artistic Director is Yaron Shamir, and it is produced by Ethos – The Haifa Municipality Art, Culture and Sports Association Company. The full program and ticket information will be available on the Haifa Film Festival website: https://www.haifaff.co.il/eng.
