Los Angeles' Israel Film Festival has announced its full program, kicking off with Tom Nesher’s directorial debut, “Come Closer” as the fest's opening night gala. The centerpiece screening is a sneak preview of Erez Tadmor's "Soda." The 36th edition of the festival, which runs Nov. 13-26, will honor Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz with the Industry Leadership Award. Actor Shaike Levi will receive the 2024 IFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the Closing Night ceremony. The festival’s founder and executive...
Mattel
Ynon
Kreiz
Chairman / CEO
Kreiz raised eyebrows when he brought together auteur Greta Gerwig with actress Margot Robbie to produce an unconventional script as the very first film project to power his strategy of turning the toy company’s iconic brands into media sensations. But he delivered big time with “Barbie,” in 2023 handing Warner Bros. Its biggest hit in the studio’s 100-year history, which in turn revitalized sales for the iconic Mattel doll. Not bad for someone whose career to date boasts plenty of franchise management experience but none in the medium of film, dating back to his days running companies as varied as Disney’s Maker Studios, Endemol and Fox Kids Europe. The Israeli-born Kreiz has an armada of other Mattel toys, including Hot Wheels, Pictionary and Monster High, aiming to make similar magic in Barbie’s wake — both in film, with other pedigreed producers attached, and other media.