ONLINE CONTENT

What sort of films would I find at the Israel Film Archive?

The Israel Film Archive is home to hundreds of collections that tell the story of the land almost from the inception of the film camera, all the way back at the end of the 19th century. The collections feature a wide range of narrative and documentary films, newsreels, student shorts, infomercials, arthouse films, home videos, made-for-TV films, and lots more. Combined, the total length of all film rolls in the archive is a whopping two million metres (around 6.5 million ft.). The archive also houses tens of thousands of professional videotapes and around 1.5m gigabytes of digital media.

Are you in possession of all films ever produced in Israel?

The Jerusalem Cinematheque’s Israel Film Archive houses nearly all films ever produced in the country. That being said, the website only features content for which we have obtained streaming rights.

Are all archival materials available online?

Unfortunately, they are not. The website only features part of the archive’s sum total of assets. We can only make content available for online viewing and/or streaming with the explicit permission of the copyright holders. The team at the archive are all working tirelessly at securing the streaming rights for additional content, with every month seeing fresh titles added to our ever-growing online catalogue.

What type of historical content would I find on the website?

The archive’s online hub features a host of historical archival footage that has been tagged, catalogued, and split up into short excerpts dubbed Moments. Most Moments excerpts are taken from newsreel compilations produced in Israel/Palestine between 1927-1972. Additionally, the section also features rare early 20th century materials, as well as some truly unique home video footage courtesy of the Israel Film Service, Israel’s national trade union (‘Histadrut’), the United Kibbutz Movement, and others.

What films would I find on the website?

The site has around 700 Israeli narrative and documentary films available for streaming, with new titles constantly being added on a monthly basis. Be sure to visit the home page for an ever-updating list of our all our latest titles. The majority of films available online have been scanned from their original film rolls and are therefore of exceptional viewing and sound quality.

Do I have to pay to watch any of the films on the archive website?

The vast majority of film titles and archival materials are available for viewing, free of charge and without registration. That being said, we do encourage you to sign up to the website. Registered users enjoy a host of additional features including saving and rating favourite clips, writing reviews, and so much more.

Please be advised that for some of the films there is a 15ILS streaming charge.

Why do I have to pay to watch some of the films?

Whilst our aim is to make as many of the titles available free of charge, there were some instances where copyright holders would only make a film publicly available for a fee – a condition we must abide by.

What languages does the archive’s online film catalogue support?

All film titles have both Hebrew and English entries in the catalogue. Many of our titles also offer bilingual Hebrew and English subtitles, and we are constantly working on adding subtitles to additional films.

Does the website only offer film/video content?

Mostly, though not exclusively. The site also offers a range of additional content – collections covering a vast range of themes and subjects, individual actor and director profile pages, compilation pages, and lots more.

How do I watch a film with subtitles?

On the film title page, you will be able to find out the film’s original language and the subtitles available for it. In the event that subtitles are available, they will be turned on automatically when you start watching. To change the subtitles’ language, press the settings button (the gear icon) that’s in the player’s controls toolbar on the righthand side. Please note that some of our films do not yet have subtitles.

What is a ‘Moment’?

The term, Moment in Israel may refer to a scene from a historical film, newsreel item, or excerpt from some old home video footage in which life in Israel / Palestine is captured in moving images.

What is a ‘Collection’?

A collection is a type of digital exhibition dedicated to a particular subject, and featuring a selection of archival footage and/or film excerpts and specially-commissioned essays about the subject matter written and curated by scholars, historians, and leading cultural figures.

Highlights of the collections available on the website include the History of Israeli Animation, Historical Adverts and Infomercials, Israeli Fashion, the Films of Amos Guttman, Representations of the Israeli Female Soldier in Israeli Film, and so much more.

Clich here to explore all collections

What is a ‘Compilation’?

A compilation is a batch of films or footage belonging to a certain body or family. The Israel Film Archive is home to dozens of widely available compilations, courtesy of both public and private bodies including the Israel Film Service compilation, the Nathan Axelrod Newsreel Compilation, the Carmel Herzliya Newsreel Compilation, the Israel Film Fund Compilation, the Spielberg Archive Compilation, a host of private family compilations, and many more.

Click here to explore all compilations

SEARCHING THE WEBSITE

How do I search for any particular title or content on the website?

Simply use the search box you will find at the top of every page. You can enter anything from a filmmaker’s name to a specific theme or topic, location, historical figure, and so on. Please be advised that search results are split up into three separate tabs. Those are: Films, Archival Footage, and Specials.

What would I find in any of the search tabs?

Your returned search results are split up into three separate tabs. Those are: Films, Archival Footage, and Specials.

Under the ‘Films’ tab you will find narrative and documentary films including feature-length and shorts, as well as experimental and avantgarde films.

Under the ‘Archival Footage’ tab you will find a host of historical archival footage that has been tagged, catalogued, and split up into short excerpts dubbed ‘Moments’. Most ‘Moments’ excerpts are taken from newsreel compilations produced in Israel/Palestine between 1927-1972. Additionally, the tab will also show you rare early 20th century materials, as well as some truly unique home video footage courtesy of the Israel Film Service, Israel’s national trade union (‘Histadrut’), the United Kibbutz Movement, and others.

Last but not least, under the ‘Specials’ tab you will find additional non-film content including collections, compilations, interviews, and information about filmmakers and creators.

Who do I reach out to if I haven’t been able to locate a particular title on the website?

We recommend that you search the full archive catalogue. If after that, you still have not been able to locate your desired title or content then by all means, do drop us a line at archive@jfc.org.il.

ISRAEL ON THE MAP

How do I search the ‘Israel on the Map’section?

The ‘Israel on the Map’ section features all historical materials and footage available on the archive’s website on a geographical grid.

The ‘Israel on the Map’section’s search tool allows you to play around with various geo-segmentations so as to filter the list of films. Whilst typing in the search field, the system will suggest potentially relevant tags. Clicking on any one of those suggestions will trigger the search filter. Of the available options, you can also choose from the list of individuals and topics that appear in each and every segment. Additionally, you can filter your search by decade or alternatively, just start scrolling about the map, zoom in, pick a spot – and turn to the film strip to your left to discover exactly what had been filmed there.

On desktop or laptop: all film titles that match your search terms will come up on a list to your left. The map will display all the areas where the relevant footage was shot (please be advised that one film may often pop up at more than one location.)

On tablet and mobile: All film titles that match your search terms will appear under the search bar. Clicking the red strip will take you to Map View mode.

How do I work the map?

Just as you would a Google map. You can move it about and navigate it by dragging, zooming in and out, etc. You can also click on an area, or several areas to focus on them. Every movement of the map will prompt an update of the list of film titles appearing on the left-hand side, based on what is showing on the map at that exact moment.

CINEMATHEQUE ONLINE

What is Cinematheque Online?

All cinematheque content has been specially adapted and customised for the website so that you may continue to access and experience it remotely. Amongst the available content are current cinematheque film titles, courses, workshops, and much more.

Click here to explore the Cinematheque Online section

SIGNING UP AND ORDERING

I’ve encountered a problem during signup or whilst ordering a title. What do I do?

In such an event, please email us at archive@jfc.org.il, or you can give us a call at +972-2-5654333.

How much would it cost me to watch/stream a film title?

The vast majority of film titles and historical footage on the website are available to stream/watch free of charge.

However, some premium titles cost 15ILS to stream/watch.

How long do I have to watch a film?

Any film title for which you have completed an order will be available to stream/view for a 72-hour period.

Can I change my payment method on the website?

Unfortunately, you cannot. Please contact our box office team at kupa@jer-cin.org.il and we will get back to you.

How do I cancel a film order?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to cancel a film order. Once a film order has been placed, payment is collected, and you are sent an invoice. In special circumstances, please email our box office team us at kupa@jer-cin.org.il and we will get back to you.

Can I view my invoice on the website?

Once an order has been placed, an invoice is sent to the email address you provided. If you have encountered an issue, then please email us and let us know at kupa@jer-cin.org.il.

Is it possible to queue up a film for later viewing?

Yes. Registered users may keep a viewing log and add films for later viewing or ordering. That being said, please note that when ordering a premium title, it must be watched within 72 hours of having placed the order.

PRIVACY

I’ve entered my details on the website. Are my personal details and payment method secured?

Yes, they are. The website is secured in compliance with the strictest PCI DSS1 security standard.

Are my personal details stored on the website for any additional uses? Will they be shared with any third-party entities?

The details are stored in the payment system and nowhere else, so that you be able to place future orders without having to sign up again, every time. Otherwise, your details are not saved by the Cinematheque, nor are they shared with any third-party entities.

COPYRIGHT

Can I share any of the content available on the film archive’s website?

Yes, you certainly can. Users may share films, ‘Moments’, and also collections by clicking the ‘Share’ button under the film media player.

Can I download any of the films?

No. downloading films – whether partially or in full – is strictly prohibited and may constitute a copyright infringement and a violation of the site’s terms of use.

I would like to obtain the rights to use a particular clip or excerpt. What do I do?

At the end of the description of each and every archive collection, you will find the names and contact details of the rights holders – when those are known to us. If you are unable to find that information on the website then please contact us at archive@jfc.org.il with the exact details of the clip / excerpt in question.

Does the archive own the copyright to all the content it stores?

No. the archive does not own the copyright to all of its content. Making our complete catalogue of film titles and archival footage available on the archive’s website was done with the rights holders’ explicit, written consent.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES AND COLLABORATIONS

You can reach us at the following email address: archive@jfc.org.il.

I’ve recognised a family member or acquaintance in a film. How do I make sure they’ve been tagged or associated with the film?

If this is information which you believe would be of value to the general public, then please email us at archive@jfc.org.il.

I’ve spotted a mistake in the catalogue. What do I do?

If you believe you’ve identified a mistake in the catalogue then please email us at archive@jfc.org.il. In your message, please point out the nature of the mistake you believe you have identified and its exact location. We will look into it, and should we conclude that a mistake has in fact been made, then it will most certainly be corrected.

I would like to add a film to the archive. What do I do?

If you are in possession of video footage / materials which you believe would be of interest to the general public, e.g. films you have made or footage of important and interesting locations and/or events, then we would be very happy to view those. To that end, please get in touch with our Head of the Archive, Mr. Meir Russo at meirr@jer-cin.org.il.  

I found some old 8mm/16mm film rolls at home. Is this something you might be interested in?

We may very well be interested. If the footage is of a historical nature, then we will at times also fund its digitising. To that end, please get in touch with our Head of the Archive, Mr. Meir Russo at meirr@jer-cin.org.il.  

Is it possible to check out a physical copy of a film from the archive?

Film rentals to private parties is not a service we traditionally offer. If you are interested in watching one of our film titles for research purposes and the film is not available online then by all means, do contact us. If you are acting on behalf of a cultural institute that is interested in organising a film screening for the general public – then please also contact us at archive@jfc.org.il.  

Who do I contact if I want to share any of the archive’s titles on social media, or to collaborate with the archive?

You may share any of our catalogue titles across social media using the ‘Share’ button on the website. For any collaboration opportunities, please contact us at archive@jfc.org.il.


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