Ynon will receive the award at the 36th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles Opening Night Gala in November.
Ynon Kreiz
Ynon Kreiz, Mattel chairman and chief executive officer, will receive the 2023 IFF Industry Leadership Award at the 36th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles Opening Night Gala on 1st November.
Meir Fenigstein, founder and executive director of the Israel Film Festival, commented: “Ynon Kreiz’s visionary leadership and incredible achievements at Mattel, most recently Barbie’s triumph at the worldwide box office, are exciting beyond imagination. In just over five years, he has transformed Mattel into an IP powerhouse, with its first theatrical release shattering records and becoming a showcase for the expertise of the Mattel Films division he created.
“On a personal note, I fondly recall Ynon as a UCLA Anderson MBA student volunteering at the Israel Film Festival. Now, 30 years later, I am proud to be recognizing and honouring himl for his own amazing accomplishments.”
The 36th Israel Film Festival runs from November 1st – 15th, 2023. The IFF Industry Leadership Award honours visionaries and transformative changemakers who demonstrate exemplary leadership traits and have achieved significant success while inspiring others.
Ynon Kreiz commented: “I have long admired the work of the Festival to promote and celebrate Israel’s thriving film and television industry, introducing the nation’s inspiring content, creators, and artists to US audiences. I am honoured to be receiving this award from an organization whose mission I so strongly support.”
For nearly four decades, the festival has presented more than 1,200 feature films and brought hundreds of Israeli filmmakers to the US to share their art.
