Israel strikes up 'Band' for Oscar

Korlirin film wins big at Ophir Awards

By GOEL PINTO

TEL AVIV -- Eran Kolirin's "The Band's Visit" was the big winner at Thursday's Israeli Film Academy Awards, known locally as the Ophir Awards, taking home eight prizes including best film and director.

The win automatically makes the pic Israel's foreign-language Oscar submission.  

Pic, about an Egyptian police band that gets lost while travelling in Israel, has already picked up a host of awards since its world preem at Cannes, where it won the Jury Coup Du Coeur in the Un Certain Regard section.

Sony Pictures Classics picked up rights to the U.S., U.K. and Canada at Cannes, in a deal reputed to be the richest ever for an Israeli feature.

THE WINNERS

Film

"The Band's Visit"

Director

Eran Kolirin for "The Band's Visit"

Editing

Zohar Sela for "Beaufort"

Screenplay

Eran Kolirin  for "The Band's Visit"

Cinematography

Ofer Inov for "Beaufort"

Actress

Ronit Elkabetz for her role in "The Band's Visit"

Actor

Sasson Gabai for his role in "The Band's Visit"

Supporting Actor

Saleh Bakri for his role in "The Band's Visit"

Supporting Actress

Anat Waxman for her role in "Noodle"

Music

Habib Shadah for "The Band's Visit"

Art Direction

Miguel Markin for "Beaufort"

Costumes

Doron Ashkenazi for "The Band's Visit"

Sound

Israel David and Ashi Milo for "Beaufort"