Etgar Keret

Etgar Keret is an internationally acclaimed Israeli storyteller and filmmaker whose allegorical tales full of wisdom, insight, and profound humanism have universal appeal and impart a humanitarian vision. Born in Ramat Gan in 1967 and raised by Holocaust survivors, Keret is hailed as the voice of young Israel and one of its most innovative writers, best known for his short stories, graphic novels, and film and television projects. Since publishing his first collection in 1992 during his service in the Israel Defense Forces, he has released five short story collections, one memoir, four graphic novels, and five children's books. His work has been published in 49 countries and translated into more than 45 languages including Farsi, featured in outlets such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, Le Monde, and NPR. Through his surreal, funny, and poignant stories—rarely extending beyond three or four pages—Keret counters brutality and dehumanization, inspiring readers with warmth and humor while translating the lessons of the Holocaust to a new generation.

Keret's exceptional work has earned him numerous honors including Israel's Prime Minister's Prize, the Jewish Quarterly Wingate Award, France's Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and the 2018 Sapir Prize for his book A Glitch at the Edge of the Galaxy. He and his wife, filmmaker Shira Geffen, won the 2007 Caméra d'Or at Cannes for their film Jellyfish and Best Director Award from the French Artists and Writers' Guild. More than 40 short films have been based on his stories, and his latest collection, Autocorrect, was published in 2025. To bring literature to younger generations, Keret founded the nonprofit StoryVid, combining books and cinema to create what The Paris Review calls "the literary equivalent of a music video," and edited Silhouettes, an anthology by young Israelis about psychiatric disabilities. A regular contributor to This American Life and lecturer at Ben-Gurion University where he teaches creative writing and directs an MFA program at the Jewish Theological Seminary.