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Israeli Documentary 'After the Vote Count' Earns Ophir Award Nomination
The Israeli documentary After the Vote Count, directed by Amnon Halbersberg, has been named a contender for the Ophir Award in the Best Documentary category by the Israeli Academy of Film and Television.
The nomination follows the film’s earlier recognition at the Tel Aviv‑Yafo Mayor’s Award, a signal that the Academy is turning its attention to works that probe nationalist activism in Israel.
After the Vote Count tracks Shai Glick, chief executive officer of the B’Tsalmo organization, as he steers public and legal campaigns against the Israeli‑Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum and other far‑left groups. Through a mix of interviews, courtroom footage, and scenes from the 2024 Israeli‑Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in Tel Aviv, the documentary pulls back the curtain on Glick’s efforts to defend Israeli national memory and to counter what he sees as defamation of the state.
Beyond its political focus, the film tackles broader questions of freedom of expression, the limits of public discourse, and the role of national memory in contemporary Israeli society. Its narrative is anchored by Glick’s public statements and the legal documents that underpin his campaigns, offering viewers a window into the mechanics of advocacy and protest within the country.
The film’s first accolade, the Tel Aviv‑Yafo Mayor’s Award, was presented during the city’s annual film festival in 2024. That recognition was followed by screenings organized by activists from Standing Together, a coalition that opposes B’Tsalmo’s activities. According to the film’s producers, these screenings were intended to give the group a deeper understanding of the organization’s campaign strategy.
The Ophir Award nomination places After the Vote Count alongside They Were and Are No More, a documentary that documents the deaths of Gaza residents during the 2024 conflict. Both films compete in the same category, underscoring the Academy’s willingness to consider works that address contentious aspects of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
Shai Glick welcomed the nomination, saying the film’s recognition shows that “high‑quality, hard‑hitting cinema does not have to come at the expense of national values.” He urged Academy members to support the film as a representation of pride in Israel and its defense forces.
The Israeli Academy of Film and Television, founded in 1990, presents the Ophir Awards annually in September. Winners in the Best Film category are sent to represent Israel at the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Film category.
As the nomination cycle continues, After the Vote Count is slated for additional screenings at regional film festivals in late 2026. The Academy’s final decision is expected in early October, after which the film may be considered for international distribution and potential Oscar submission.
The nomination also highlights a broader trend in Israeli cinema, where filmmakers increasingly tackle politically charged subjects. Whether the film ultimately wins the Ophir Award remains to be seen, but its presence on the ballot confirms its significance within the national film landscape.
The nomination follows the film’s earlier recognition at the Tel Aviv‑Yafo Mayor’s Award, a signal that the Academy is turning its attention to works that probe nationalist activism in Israel.
After the Vote Count tracks Shai Glick, chief executive officer of the B’Tsalmo organization, as he steers public and legal campaigns against the Israeli‑Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum and other far‑left groups. Through a mix of interviews, courtroom footage, and scenes from the 2024 Israeli‑Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in Tel Aviv, the documentary pulls back the curtain on Glick’s efforts to defend Israeli national memory and to counter what he sees as defamation of the state.
Beyond its political focus, the film tackles broader questions of freedom of expression, the limits of public discourse, and the role of national memory in contemporary Israeli society. Its narrative is anchored by Glick’s public statements and the legal documents that underpin his campaigns, offering viewers a window into the mechanics of advocacy and protest within the country.
The film’s first accolade, the Tel Aviv‑Yafo Mayor’s Award, was presented during the city’s annual film festival in 2024. That recognition was followed by screenings organized by activists from Standing Together, a coalition that opposes B’Tsalmo’s activities. According to the film’s producers, these screenings were intended to give the group a deeper understanding of the organization’s campaign strategy.
The Ophir Award nomination places After the Vote Count alongside They Were and Are No More, a documentary that documents the deaths of Gaza residents during the 2024 conflict. Both films compete in the same category, underscoring the Academy’s willingness to consider works that address contentious aspects of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
Shai Glick welcomed the nomination, saying the film’s recognition shows that “high‑quality, hard‑hitting cinema does not have to come at the expense of national values.” He urged Academy members to support the film as a representation of pride in Israel and its defense forces.
The Israeli Academy of Film and Television, founded in 1990, presents the Ophir Awards annually in September. Winners in the Best Film category are sent to represent Israel at the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Film category.
As the nomination cycle continues, After the Vote Count is slated for additional screenings at regional film festivals in late 2026. The Academy’s final decision is expected in early October, after which the film may be considered for international distribution and potential Oscar submission.
The nomination also highlights a broader trend in Israeli cinema, where filmmakers increasingly tackle politically charged subjects. Whether the film ultimately wins the Ophir Award remains to be seen, but its presence on the ballot confirms its significance within the national film landscape.
