By Maria Esteves - January 5, 2010

The 24th Israel Film Festival (IFF) Opening Night Gala Awards, Screening, and Reception presented by IsraFest Foundation commenced on Saturday, December 5, 2009, 7:30 pm, at the SVA Theatre, New York. This year's 2009 IFF Award recipients were Israeli filmmaker Ranana Kol for Best Student Short Film UNTIL WE'LL FIND A PLACE, founder/president of Kino International Donald Krim for Visionary, writer/director Paul Schrader for Achievement in Film, and Academy Award-nominated actor Elliott Gould for Lifetime Achievement. 2009 IFF Opening Gala Reception immediately followed the presentation of 2009 Israeli Academy nominee (14 Ofir awards) A MATTER OF SIZE, directed by Sharon Maymon and Erez Tadmor. IFF founder/executive director Meir Fenigstein graciously opened the festival. 2009 IFF opening night gala red carpet arrivals included Israeli filmmakers, producers, actors, celebrities, dignitaries, sponsors, and special guests.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: Academy Award
nominated actor Elliott Gould, left, with IFF founder/executive
director Meir Fenigstein.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: 2009 IFF award
presenter Gabriella Shalev, 14th Israeli ambassador to the United
Nations, left, and guest.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: Academy Award
nominated actor Elliott Gould.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: 2009 IFF award presenter
actor Jeff Goldblum, ADAM RESURRECTED.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: 2009 Israeli Academy
nominated (14 Ofir awards) director by Erez Tadmor, A MATTER OF SIZE,
2009 IFF Opening Night Presentation.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals:
writer/director Paul Schrader, ADAM
RESURRECTED.

2009 IFF Israeli filmmakers attend the 24th Israel Film Festival Opening Night Gala.

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2009 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony: 2009 IFF Lifetime
Achievement Award winner actor Elliott Gould, left, with 2009 IFF
award presenter Gabriella Shalev, 14th Israeli ambassador to
the United Nations.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony: 2009 IFF Lifetime Achievement Award winner actor Elliott Gould, left, with IFF founder/executive director Meir Fenigstein.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony: 2009 IFF
Visionary Award winner Donald Krim, founder/president
of Kino International, left, with IFF founder/executive
director Meir Fenigstein.

2009 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony:
2009 IFF Achievement in Film Award winner
writer/director Paul Schrader, right, with IFF
founder/executive director Meir Fenigstein.