SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – Celebrating the San Diego Jewish Film Festival’s 25th Silver Anniversary, presented by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, will run February 5-15, 2015. Sponsored by the Leichtag Foundation.
The San Diego Jewish Film Festival showcases 96 films of the best contemporary Jewish themed films from around the world celebrating life, human rights, and freedom of expression. The mission of the Film Festival is to offer outstanding world cinema that promotes awareness, appreciation and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people to attendees of the community at large. Festival programs aim to educate and illuminate through evocative, independent fiction and documentary films that portray the Jewish experience from current to historic global perspectives.
On February 9th, 45 short films beginning at 10:00am to 7:30pm at the ArcLight Theatres (UTC) and the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre (JCC, La Jolla) will be devoted to short films (THE JOYCE FORUM), which is a juried competitive program of short films with awards being presented Tuesday, February 10th at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre by a film industry group of jury members. Tuesday’s program will begin at 9 am with Bagels and Cream Cheese, coffee and tea followed by the announcement of this year’s jury of the winning films. After the announcement and presentation to the winning filmmakers, the audience will be able to see the winning short films.
In celebration of the SDJFF’s 25th Silver Anniversary, the Joyce Forum has increased their short film selection to a total of 10 programs that include dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation…something for everyone.
A total of 45 short films are a part of this year’s collection with Program #10 at the Garfield being a special program featuring a short film RAQUEL: A MARKED WOMAN who was the mother of 2 boys, moved to Argentina and whose place in history did not exist until the release of this short film by director Gabriella Bohm.
Bohm will be present to talk about her historic short film. Also, featuring in Program #4 a short film, SIMPLER TIMES, starring Jerry Stiller. “Simpler Times” follows Harry (Jerry Stiller), a recently widowed man in his golden years, who wants a cup of coffee and his daily newspaper. Instead, he finds himself on a bizarre search through town that leaves him newspaper-less and trapped in the world of modern technology. This heartwarming story features Stiller’s trademark comedy stylings as well as an unexpected dramatic performance, and a special guest appearance by Anne Meara, the other half of the legendary comedy duo Stiller & Meara.
In addition to the carefully selected short-subject, documentary, and feature length films, the Film Festival features an international roster of visiting guest artists, including actors, filmmakers, and scholars, who introduce their work, participate in panel discussions, and meet and greet with the festival patrons.
Highlights for this year’s event will include a private advance screening on February 4, 2015 at 7:00pm for the film festival underwriters to THEODORE BIKEL: IN THE SHOES OF SHOLEM ALEICHEM with a special appearance by Theodore Bikel who will conduct a Q&A session and then entertain the crowd with music at the Garfield Theatre (JCC). This year’s official opening night on February 5th at the Clairemont Reading Theatre will feature a San Diego Premiere of SERIAL (BAD) WEDDING. A French comedy directed by Philippe de Chauveron about the tribulations of a family with 4 daughters whose husbands include a Chinese business man, a Jew, a Muslim and an African-American. The official closing night film at the Clairemont Reading Theatre will be LITTLE WHITE LIE, directed by Lacey Schwartz who questions her heritage.
In addition to the official opening, the festival will feature a Teen Screen on February 10th of HAVANNA CURVEBALL, directed by Ken Schneider and Marcia Jarmel exclusively for teens.
Another highlight on February 11th is the centerpiece film ABOVE AND BEYOND, directed by Roberta Grossman about former military personnel who offer their expertise to another war. Finally, a special tribute to the Kapoor Family of India and a discussion about Jewish actresses in India. Musical entertainment featuring The Rhythm Dance Studio with dances from classic film SHREE 420 on February 8, 2015 at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theater (LFJCC), JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS.
A total collection of over 96 films in this year’s film line-up will be screened at the following theaters:
Clairemont Reading 14 / Joy F. Knapp Presentations
4665 Clairemont Drive, San Diego
The ArcLight Cinemas
4425 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego (west side of Westfield UTC mall)
The Carlsbad Village Theatre
2822 State St., Carlsbad
Edwards San Marcos Stadium 18
1180 West San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos (next to Restaurant Row)
David and Dorothea Garfield Theater (LFJCC), JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS
4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla
Single ticket prices for most films are $13.75- $15.75, ($13.75 for JCC members and $15.75 for non-members); Teen Screen is FREE. Festival passes, senior and student discounts, and group rate discounts are available. For tickets or information call 858-362-1348 or visit www.sdjff.com.
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Preceding provided by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture
Directors, speakers and film industry experts are available for interviews by phone, in person, and in-studio. For more information and to arrange interviews or press tickets, please contact Nancy Richards at nancylrichards@gmail.com, or 917-873-6389 cell.