**‘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 depicting a Palestinian boy’s journey to the sea. 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. It has now been selected to represent Israel in the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Oscars.
### Minister’s Criticism and Plans for a New Film Award
Minister Zohar sharply 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 his intention to establish a new government-sponsored film awards ceremony, dubbed the “Israeli State Oscar.”
In response, the Israeli Academy of Film and Television defended their selection, emphasizing their commitment to cinematic excellence, artistic freedom, and the importance of free expression in the arts.
### Legal Experts Question Legitimacy of Funding Threat
Legal experts are now questioning the legality of Minister Zohar’s threat to withhold funding. Oded Feller, legal adviser for the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, told CNN that Zohar’s threats are likely empty and that he does not have the authority to interfere with cultural content or the professional judgment of film selectors. Feller also pointed out that the ministry’s budget is not under Zohar’s direct control.
### Producer Responds: “We Are All Equal”
Baher Agbariya, the producer of *The Sea*, responded to the controversy by stating, “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.”
In addition to Best Picture, *The Sea* secured four other Ophir Awards, including Best Actor for 13-year-old Muhammad Ghazawi, who became the youngest recipient ever of this prestigious award.
### History of Disputes Between Zohar and the Film Industry
This incident is not the first time Minister Zohar has clashed with the Israeli film industry. Last year, the joint Israeli-Palestinian documentary *No Other Land* won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. During the filmmakers’ acceptance speeches, they highlighted the impact of Israeli military operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Zohar condemned the win as “a regrettable moment for the cinematic world” and accused the filmmakers of “sabotage” against Israel.
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*The controversy surrounding *The Sea* spotlights ongoing tensions between artistic expression and political narratives within Israel’s cultural landscape.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/israeli-oscars-face-wrath-after-film-about-palestinian-boy-wins/story
