Israeli Film Critics Association chooses Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel as best international film.

The Israeli Film Critics Association selected its best films of 2014. Zero Motivation, written and directed by Talya Lavie, was named best film of the year. Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, distributed in Israel by Forum Film, was named best international film of 2014.

Sasson Gabai was chosen as best actor for Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem. Dana Ivgy was named best actress for her portrayal of Zohar, a disgruntled soldier in Zero Motivation.

Newcomer Talya Lavie was chosen as best director and best screenwriter of the year for her debut film Zero Motivation. A supporting actress in the film, Tamara Klingon, was named Discovery of the Year.

The critics gave their Artistic Achievement Award went to cinematographer Nadav Hekselman for his work on Funeral at Noon.

Films had to be released in Israel between January and mid-December this year.

Pablo Utin, chairman of the 27-strong Israeli Film Critics Association, said: “This is the second time our young association has convened to vote for the best films and filmmakers of the year. After an intensive year of writing criticism and organizing special events to promote cinema as art, the annual awards represent the high point of our activity as individuals and as a group. These awards are not only our way of honoring and signaling the best cinematic works of the year, but mainly a way of thanking the filmmakers for enriching cinema, audiences and our lives”.

During the meeting, the group also elected its new leaders: Pablo Utin (Srita) as chairman and Yael Shuv (Time Out Tel Aviv) as vice-chairperson.

The group was founded in May 2013.