**‘Israeli Oscar’ Faces Backlash After Film About Palestinian Boy Wins**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | September 18, 2025*
Israel’s Culture Minister Miki Zohar has threatened to cut state funding for the Israeli Academy of Film and Television following the critical success of a film portraying the journey of a Palestinian boy.
The movie, *The Sea*, directed by Shai Carmeli Pollak and produced by Baher Agbariya, won five awards at the 2025 Ophir Awards, including Best Picture. The film is now set to represent Israel at the Oscars in the International Feature Film category.
### Minister’s Criticism and Plans for a New Awards Ceremony
Minister Zohar criticized *The Sea* for its negative portrayal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and the State of Israel. He described the Ophir Awards as a “spit in the face of Israeli citizens” and announced intentions to establish a government-sponsored film awards ceremony, which he called the “Israeli State Oscar.”
In response, the Israeli Academy of Film and Television defended its selection, reaffirming its commitment to cinematic excellence, artistic freedom, and free expression.
### Legal Experts Question Funding Threat
Legal experts are now examining the legality of Minister Zohar’s threat to withdraw funding. Oded Feller, legal adviser for the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, told CNN that Zohar’s threat appears to be empty and that he lacks authority to interfere with cultural content or the Academy’s professional decisions. Feller stressed that the ministry’s budget does not fall under Zohar’s unilateral control and that he cannot meddle in cultural affairs or the filmmaking process.
### Producer Speaks Out: “We Are All Equal”
Baher Agbariya, producer of *The Sea*, addressed the controversy by emphasizing the film’s message. “This film is about every child’s right to live in peace, a basic right we will not give up on. We are all equal. Peace and equality are not an illusion, but a possible choice here and now,” he said.
The film also garnered four additional Ophir Awards, including Best Actor for 13-year-old Muhammad Ghazawi, making him the youngest recipient ever in that category.
### A Pattern of Clashes
This is not the first time Minister Zohar has come into conflict with the film industry. Last year, the joint Israeli-Palestinian documentary *No Other Land* won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. During the acceptance speeches, the filmmakers highlighted the impact of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
At that time, Zohar described the win as “a regrettable moment for the cinematic world” and accused the filmmakers of “sabotage” against Israel.
As *The Sea* prepares to compete on the international stage, the controversy underscores ongoing tensions between artistic expression and political sensitivities within Israel’s cultural sphere.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/israeli-oscars-face-wrath-after-film-about-palestinian-boy-wins/story
About the Author
