Hayam(‘The Sea’), a Palestinian-themed drama, has won the Ophir Awards—the National Film Awards of Israel—triggering heated debate. After the win, the government announced plans to withdraw funding for the awards body. This article details the context, reactions, legal concerns, and what this might mean for creative expression in Israel.
The Sea – Israel Controversial Winner
Directed by Shai Carmeli-Pollak, The Sea tells the story of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy whose first glimpse of the Mediterranean becomes a perilous journey. The narrative unfolds through checkpoints and obstacles that reflect current social tensions.
At the 2025 Ophir Awards, The Sea won multiple top honors: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Muhammad Gazawi), Best Supporting Actor (Khalifa Natour), and Best Original Score. This sweeping recognition also made it Israel’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
Government Reaction
Within hours of the announcement, Culture Minister Miki Zohar branded the film’s win as “disrespectful” to Israeli soldiers and accused it of being “pro-Palestinian”. He proposed cutting taxpayer funding for the Ophir Awards starting in 2026, arguing that state support shouldn’t serve “a ceremony that insults those who serve.” This marked a sharp escalation in what was already a fraught debate over art, identity, and politics.
Artistic Community Response
Filmmakers, critics, and rights groups pushed back immediately. The Israeli Film and Television Academy defended The Sea’s win, citing its artistic merit and its collaborative production involving both Jewish and Palestinian artists. Many in the creative community saw the government’s reaction as an attempt to politicize cultural institutions and limit expression. Some international voices joined in, calling any attempt to punish art for its themes a threat to democratic values.
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Legal Authority & Funding Issues
Legal experts are now weighing whether the Culture Ministry has the power to cut funding in this way. Existing laws governing the Israel Film Fund and grants to Ophir stipulate certain protections and commitments. Critics argue that sudden defunding could violate contractual obligations. Meanwhile, public debate shifts toward whether selection committees should be influenced by political or nationalistic considerations rather than purely artistic ones.
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National Film Awards Under Pressure
The controversy places the National Film Awards (Ophir Awards) at the center of a broader struggle over who gets to define “national culture.” On one side are those who believe the awards must reflect patriotic narratives; on the other, those who argue that art should challenge, question, and reflect diverse experiences—even those that make people uncomfortable. With funding threatened, many filmmakers fear future submissions and productions will avoid controversial themes to prevent backlash.
What to Expect Next
For Israel film industry, this moment could reshape lived realities. Creatives may practice more self-censorship, avoiding stories seen as unpalatable by those in power. Distribution, festival participation, and international collaboration could be affected as political scrutiny becomes more central. Observers expect legal challenges to emerge soon, alongside public protests and possible interventions by artistic alliances. The way this plays out will likely define the boundaries of artistic freedom in Israel for years to come.
