Shai Avivi is an acclaimed Israeli actor, comedian, writer, and television personality whose work combines emotional depth and humor. Over the past decade, he has become one of the leading dramatic actors in Israeli cinema, earning critical acclaim both in Israel and internationally.

In 2020, Avivi starred in the award-winning drama Here We Are (“Hine Anachnu”), directed by Nir Bergman. The film was selected for the official 2020 Cannes Film Festival lineup. Avivi’s performance earned him the Ophir Award (the Israeli Academy Award) for Best Actor, as well as the Best Actor Award at the Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain. The film itself won multiple Ophir Awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor.

Earlier, Avivi received widespread recognition for his leading roles in One Week and a Day (2016), directed by Asaph Polonsky, and Longing (2017), directed by Savi Gabizon. Longing premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, while One Week and a Day premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week and went on to win the Gan Foundation Support for Distribution Award. Both films earned Avivi Ophir Award nominations for Best Actor and helped establish him as one of the most compelling performers in contemporary Israeli cinema.

Alongside his film work, Avivi has appeared in acclaimed television productions including Blackspace, Losing Alice, and Mossad 101, and Kugel. Some of them can be found at Netflix and Apple tv.

In 2025, Avivi received another Ophir Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Burning Man, further cementing his status as one of Israel’s most respected and versatile actors.