Congratulations to Katriel Schory for receiving the Berlinale Camera Award

On Tuesday, 20/2, Katriel Schory received the “Berlinale Camera” Award for his contribution to Israeli Cinema, World Cinema and particularly  European Cinema. Schory was awarded also for his strong commitment to safeguarding creative freedom and expression. 

In his thank you speech Schory said that for him and his colleagues, the Israeli Filmmakers, freedom of expression is a fundamental value. Schory quoted George Orwell who said: ““If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” Schory thanked the management of the Berlin Film Festival and the world film community for supporting Israeli Cinema and it’s struggle to maintain creative freedom.

Dieter Kosslick, Director f the Berlin Film Festival, who gave Katriel the award noted Schory’s great contribution over the years during the Berlin Film Festival and other film festivals to Israeli cinema. Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival said that Israeli Cinema is lucky to have a man such as Katriel Schory who managed without fear to make such a major change in Israeli Cinema.

Schory said that the award is given in recognition of the fervor of  Israeli cinema and the Israeli Film Community.  He added that the last year has been a peak year for the Israel Film Fund and the Film's it supported: with an audience of more than a million viewers who watched  box office hits that received the support of the Fund such as "Maktub", "Scaffolding", "Foxtrot" and "Longing".