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Israeli Films Shine with Two Oscar Nominations

1/23/2026

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Israeli Films Nominated

Two Israeli films earned nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards.
Meyer Levinson-Blount, an Israeli filmmaker, saw Butcher's Stain earn a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film, following success at the Student Academy Awards.
Hila Medalia, an Israeli documentary filmmaker, saw Children No More: Were and Are Gone nominated for Best Documentary Short Film.
Israel's entry for Best International Feature, The Sea, did not make the shortlist.

History

Ben Hania's Historic Nomination

The Tunisian-French docudrama The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania (director), is nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
The film recounts Hind Rajab's death in Gaza in January 2024.
This nomination makes Kaouther Ben Hania the first Arab woman with three Academy Award nominations.
The film won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Four Arab films were shortlisted this year.

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Israeli Films Nominated

Two Israeli films earned nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards.
Meyer Levinson-Blount, an Israeli filmmaker, saw Butcher's Stain earn a nomination for Best Live Action Short Film, following success at the Student Academy Awards.
Hila Medalia, an Israeli documentary filmmaker, saw Children No More: Were and Are Gone nominated for Best Documentary Short Film.
Israel's entry for Best International Feature, The Sea, did not make the shortlist.

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