New Exec Director Is From Gladwyne – Plus Narberth Screenings

by Melissa Jacobs

The Israeli Film Festival Of Philadelphia is filled with chutzpah – and Main Line connections. Gladwyne’s Karnit Biran is the festival’s new executive director, a job she took over in 2024 after a decade of volunteering with Israeli Film Festival. A native Israeli, Biran graduated from Tel Aviv University and, like all Israelis, served in the Israel Defense Forces.

Biran’s name may be familiar from last year’s mishigas with Bryn Mawr Institute which, citing its desire to be non-political, cancelled the screening of the non-political documentary “The Child Within Me,” one of the Israeli Film Festival’s movies. The festival sued for breach of contract and a Montgomery County judge ordered BMI to screen the film, which it did. Nevertheless, the festival is not returning to BMI.

Instead, Narberth Theater will take part in the festival by screening two films. (See below for full schedule.) “We are very excited about the lineup of our films this year,” Biran said. “We are adding younger members of our community to our new leadership team. They have many exciting ideas incorporating technology, social media, and in-person events.”

Under Biran’s guidance, Israeli Film Festival will now run programs year-round. “Our mission is to bring the best of Israeli cinema and culture to our community, while collaborating with our local Jewish community and organizations,” Biran said.

Israeli Film Festival’s main event is March 22-30 and features eight films. Rom-coms, documentaries and acclaimed movies like “Soda,” a compelling drama set in 1956 Israel and featuring Lior Raza, star of the international hit TV show “Fauda.”

While the Narberth theater and Gratz College will host screenings, most events will be at Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Center City. “As Philadelphia’s hub for Jewish culture, The Weitzman is a natural home for the Israeli Film Festival,” said Dan Samuels, Director of Public Programs at the Weitzman. “We’re excited about this new partnership and cannot wait to host the annual festival.”

Israeli Film Festival Of Philadelphia 2025

• Bliss חמדה | The Weitzman, Sat., March 22 | 8 pm Champagne Reception, 9 pm Movie
• Children of Nobody ילדים של אף אחד | The Weitzman, Sun., March 23 | 3:30 pm
• Soda  סודה | The Weitzman, Sun., March 23 | 7 pm
• His Own Way  אבי נשר – מילים להחלפה | Narberth Theater, Tues., March 25 | 7 pm
• Midlife  אמצע החיים | Narberth Theater, Thurs., March 27 | 7 pm
• The Ring  הטבעת | Gratz College, Sat., March 29 | 9 pm
• Highway 65  כביש הסרגל | The Weitzman, Sun., March 30 | 4 pm Movie, 6 pm Dessert Reception
• Matchmaking 2  בחורים טובים 2 | The Weitzman, Sun., March 30 | 6 pm Dessert Reception, 7 pm Movie

For complete listings and locations, visit Israeli Film Festival’s website.

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