"The Mace" is the winning play at the Haifa International Children's Play Festival
During the three days of the festival, approximately 20 visitors attended its events, enjoying dozens of plays, performances and events. The festival concluded with a festive ceremony attended by the creators, actors and theater professionals. The play "The Macaloon" won the award for best play. Additional awards were given to the creators and actors of the five original productions that competed in the official competition.
The Haifa International Children's Play Festival 2026 closed on the evening of Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Haifa Theater, after three days of theatrical celebration with the participation of children and families from across the country. At the end of the festival, the winners of the Original Plays Competition were announced, in which five new Israeli productions competed this year.
The award for best play went to the play "The Mace", which also won awards for music, ensemble, movement design and costume design.
"The Stick" is a comedy musical for the whole family by Yaron Edelstein and Aharon Levin, music by Itamar Gross, directed by Tal Brenner and produced by the Triangle Theater, which tells the story of Moka, a lonely stick who does not belong to a couple and is therefore forbidden to board the lifeboat during a global flood. In his journey of survival, he meets different animals and discovers worlds of identity, unconventional love and self-acceptance.
From the jury's reasons for choosing the winning playה:"The award is given for a show that embodies a clear and coherent worldview in relation to art for children. For a courageous choice of materials and the ability to make them accessible to children in a smart, precise and interesting manner. A funny, touching and profound show that does not compromise on its artistic quality and the intelligence of the young audience."
In the directing award Won Amit Levy About the show "הממלכה הקטנה", At the play award Won Amir Petar About "Giant dwarf", In the awardMain role Have won Noa Kamir And Haggi Cohen About their role in"The A-Team".
Additional awards were given in the fields of lighting and video design, set design, and supporting actor:
The jury also awarded Commendable marks For a secondary role to discuss Kiesler About "How do you pack an elephant?"sea" ValChantalCohen על "Giant Dwarf".
Five new original productions participated in the festival's official competition this year: "The Little Kingdom", "The Stick", "Giant Dwarf", "How to Pack Elephants" And "team" "To the point".
The performances were examined by a professional jury, which examined all the elements of the work – the play, the direction, the acting, the music, the design and the stage language – and their contribution to the world of theater for children and youth. The members of the jury this year were Ephraim Sidon, Roni Brodsky, Lior Ronen and Roy Vaturi.
The Haifa International Festival of Children's Plays, one of the oldest and most important events in Israel in the field of children's and youth culture, took place this year under the sign of The connection IntergenerationalAlongside the five original plays in competition, the festival offered plays and performances for children of various ages, street performances, music and activity complexes throughout the Haifa Theater during its three days.
This year too, the festival emphasizes Making the theater experience accessible to children with disabilities, from the concept that culture and theater should be open and accessible to every child. The festival featured plays and performances adapted for children with different needs, allowing children with disabilities and their families to take part in the festival experience and enjoy theater in an adapted, inclusive and accessible environment. The festival this year focused on the performance "Greetings from Kishkashta", created to mark the 60th anniversary of educational television and featuring Hani Nachmias, Tal Mosseri and Mickey Kam.
The Haifa International Children's Play Festival, in its 36th year, continues to serve as a central stage for original Israeli work for children and youth, and to encourage new, high-quality work for the younger generation.
Gama Fried, the festival's artistic director: "We are finishing three exciting days of creation, encounter and a great celebration of children's theater. This year's competition performances presented original, courageous and diverse work that respects the young audience and speaks to them at eye level. I congratulate the winners and all the creators who took part in the festival - each of the productions brought a whole world to the stage, a unique voice and a lot of imagination, thought and emotion. I am proud of the work that was presented here this year and thank the large audience of children and families who came, watched, were moved and turned the festival into a true celebration."We immediately start working on the festival. The next one will be held in Passover 2027."
Full list of winners
- Play Award: "The Stubborn"
- Play Award: Amir Petar, "Giant Dwarf"
- Directing Award: Amit Levy, "The Tiny Kingdom"
- Ensemble Award: "The Stubborn"
- Best Leading Role Award: Noa Kamir and Hagai Cohen, "Team for the Cause"
- Supporting Actor Award: Lior Avivi, "Giant Dwarf"
- Music Award: Itamar Gross, "The Mace"
- Set Design Award: Nofar Drezner, "The Little Kingdom"
- Costume Design Award: Yuval Levy, "The Mace"
- Lighting Design Award: Omer Boulanger Cohen and Yaera Nirel, "Giant Dwarf"
- Traffic Design Award: Sharon Gal, "The Mace"
- Best Supporting Actor: Dan Kiesler, "How to Pack Elephants"
- Best Supporting Actor: Chantal Cohen, "Giant Dwarf"