In November 2008, the Festival opened with Eran Riklis’ film Lemon Tree, which has proved highly controversial in Israel. The UKJFF tour was expanded to Sarajevo and Belgrade.

There was also a Sing-A-Long-A Hairspray event, the UK premiere of Sacred Language, Spoken Language (which included a Q&A with film director Nurit Aviv) and a special preview of award-winning animation Waltz with Bashir, which was followed by a Q&A with art director and illustrator David Polonsky.