Seriously concerned that political tensions might hurt this year's event, Jerusalem festival chief Lia van Leer was relieved to some 7,000 people roar with delight at the opening night, open-air screening of Shrek.

Dover Kosashvili's Late Marriage was the main prize winner, taking prizes for Best Israeli Feature Film and Best Israeli Script. The debut feature, screened earlier this year in Cannes' Certain Regard section, looks likely to become Israel's festival flag-bearer for the coming year, with Telluride already lined up at its next stop on the circuit. Stephen Frears and Israeli producer Marek Rozenbaum were the recipients of life achievement awards.