Tamara Drew, starring Gemma Aterton by British film director Stephen Frears will open the Haifa International film festival that is into its 26th year and will be held during Hol Hamoed Succoth between 23 - 30 September. The film is based on Posy Simmonds' well-loved graphic novel, which in turn was inspired by Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd. The Haifa International Film Festival was inaugurated in 1983, and was the first of its kind in Israel. Throughout the week special screenings are held of 150 new films. Apart from movies screened around the clock at seven theaters, the festival features open-air screenings. Film categories include feature films, documentaries, animation, short films, retrospectives and tributes. The Board of Directors is composed of film and culture professionals and public figures. The festival is underwritten by the City of Haifa, the Ministry of Education, the Israeli Film Council, and the European Union, as well as commercial companies.
