By Eva Trieger
LA JOLLA, California — When the buzz about the San Diego Jewish Film Festival hits the streets, there is always a flurry of activity and a crush to get tickets to innovative, exciting, high quality films, produced by Jews, insinuating and revealing Jewish themes, and celebrating our Jewish homeland, Israel. The 24th annual San Diego Jewish Film Festival is no slacker when it comes to keeping up with, and perhaps surpassing tradition. I got my “sneak peak” into this year’s line up in a phone interview with festival’s director, Craig Prater. While new to this post, Prater is no newbie to San Diego, nor to the world of film.
Former mayor and musician Sonny Bono invited Craig to work on the International Film Festival in Palm Springs. Beginning in 1993 and reigning for the next eight years, Prater was the Executive Director, overseeing all films including the Shorts Film Festival and the Noir Film Festival. This segued into working for the Royal Thai government.
The five-year run proved exciting and dynamic, and might have continued if not for the military coup that forced Prater out of that country in 2006. The next step up the ladder brought this director to Mexico, and provided a jumping off point for the Latino Film Festival.
The next stint also introduced this well-rounded film enthusiast to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, where he further expanded his talents and made his mark on the Jewish community there.
This year marks the San Diego Jewish Film Festival’s 24th year. Prater was proud to tell me that these deliberately selected films will grace five venues: The Claremont Reading cinemas, The Arclight in La Jolla, Carlsbad Village Theater, Edwards in San Marcos and of course, the Garfield Theater at our own JCC. For specific film times, location and ticket information please go to La Jolla JCC website.
When asked which films Prater was specifically interested in, he hesitated barely a moment before offering up these four: Disobedience, Bethlehem, Aftermath and The Jewish Cardinal. I refuse to ruin it for anyone, so I can only suggest you buy a pass that will enable you to see these four and all of the rest of the offerings! Prater did promise a “nice selection of dramas, documentaries and comedies.”
Thinking about becoming an Underwriter for the event? Why not? There are lots of reasons to support this festival, not the least of which gives you entrée to films, talk backs and receptions. The SDJFF is always looking for ways to attract a wider audience and to this end it is going to show Robin Wright and Harvey Keitel’s The Congress, a live animation/action film that aired at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion which explores Sci-Fi, animation, and access to the creative writers’ psyches.
Prater raised a thought provoking question, and one I think may be obvious but overlooked. “Must I be Jewish to attend the film festival?” He strenuously underscored that these are quality films that everyone can benefit from, enjoy, laugh at, cry with and needs to see, regardless of his religious affiliation. Many of the contributors are Jewish, but their feelings, experiences and dreams are universal. Tickets go on sale December 16th, but will sell out quickly. Visit lfjcc.org or call the box office at 858.362.1348.
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Trieger is a freelance writer focusing on the arts. She may be contacted at eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com