ASSITEJ Israel convened its 11th annual ceremony awarding prizes for excellence in all fields of theatre for children and youth.
Thirty-five productions competed this year, encompassing repertory theatres, theatre groups and individual artists who are all devoted to young audiences.
The judges attended all the plays during an intense period of two weeks in the different spaces of the national theatre Habimah.
In the past five years the competition has become a festival entitled “Festival of Theatre Dreams” displaying very different styles of theatre of extremely high quality.
It was wonderful to see the hundreds of children with their parents filling the spaces and share meaningful theatrical experiences.
This festival culminated in a ceremony at the beginning of September where prizes were awarded in sixteen different categories. In addition to a specially designed statue the winner was also awarded a cash prize.
This year the lifetime achievement award was given to Ephraim Sidon-a playwright and novelist for children.
The prizes and festival are held under the auspices and financial support of the Ministry of Culture and Sport and Habimah Theatre.
The festival and prizes summarize an intensive year of innovative diversified creation, striving for the highest levels of quality and always sensitive to the child, stimulating their imagination while bringing magic to their world.
