L.A. Jewish Film Festival - Fighting Antisemitism One Film at a Time!

June 16, 2024

By Bessy ADUT

I am excited and looking forward to attending the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival this year. The opening night will be June 19th and it will run through June 24th. Films will be screened at various theaters in and around Beverly Hills. Tickets are on sale now and everyone thinks this is the best film festival to experience. Here is the link to find tickets for the screening events.

eventbrite.com/cc/los-angeles-jewish-film-festival-2024-3413719

I recommend getting your ticket as soon as possible as the shows sell out fast. I will have a few recommendations but please do take a look at the program for the whole film week yourself -via this link- to see what fits your film genre tastes: https://lajfilmfest.org/ Let’s join the fight against antisemitism by supporting this beautiful and diverse cultural event.

This year’s theme is, “Fighting Antisemitism One Film at a Time.'' As a Jewish community, we have experienced a lot of anti-Semitism and many people are directing their frustration with world politics towards us. My love for the arts and film is rooted in how we unite together as one people instead of separating, no matter our religion, nationality, or political views. At this film festival, there are going to be movies from many diverse backgrounds and we will see a wide range of Jewish stories.

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival was founded by Hilary Helstein, also a filmmaker, in 2006. Hilary began the festival then because she noticed the need for Jewish representation in the film industry. The mission statement, in part for the festival says “The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) builds community awareness, appreciation, and pride in the diversity of the Jewish people through a cinematic experience. The goal of the LAJFF is to preserve and celebrate the rich Jewish heritage."

The Gala Opening Night celebration happens in Beverly Hills with a world premiere for the new crime/thriller “Guns & Moses” by director Salvator Litvak. The cast includes Mark Feuerstein, Neal McDonough, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher Lloyd, Alona Tal, Craig Sheffer, Jake Busey, Michael B. Silver and Mila & Juju Brener. The story is about a beloved small-town rabbi who becomes an unlikely gunslinger after his community is violently attacked. Directed by Salvador Litvak and written by Salvador Litvak and Nina Davidovich, some of the film’s cast and crew will attend including Mark Feuerstein, Mila and Juju Brener, Ed Quinn, Zach Villa, and Michael B. Silver.

The new documentary “Colleyville” by the acclaimed director Dani Menkin will show during the festival for a North American premiere. Dani Menkin collected never-before-seen footage from an international news story when in 2022 a terrorist took four people hostage inside a synagogue in Texas.

The closing night of the festival will host the world premiere for “Song of Ascent,” the new documentary from Jewish Reggae artist Matisyahu in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The opening gala brings city officials to the festivities including Beverly Hills City Vice Mayor Sharona R. Nazarian and Beverly Hills Councilmember John Mirisch.

I would like to echo what Nazarian said; She says, “I am excited to participate in the Jewish Film Festival this year. It is wonderful that we can have these diverse cultural experiences in our community and learn about one another. In a time of such division, it is inspiring to see how the arts can bring us closer together and foster unity. This is definitely very important to come together as people and in times of division having a sense of unity in harmony and peace. These movies will also be showing the diversity within Jewish community which will help break certain stereotypes.” She goes on to say, “Watching movies in a dark room and sharing a mutual experience brings us together and makes us feel stronger. We are all wounded by hearing about the war and hostages, all the violence that is happening to the innocent people. There is a saying “Pen is mightier than sword." That is also true for a 'Camera'. Through the eyes of the lens, we get to fight against all the prejudice and hatred with the light coming through the projector.”

When Hilary Helstein selected this year’s LAJFF lineup of films it was no coincidence she planned the festival to open on Juneteenth, as the festival also forms a feeling of unity with our all brothers and sisters. This is about people coming together whether they are Jewish or not for a common art and culture experience, hearing stories from different voices, and greeting one another in solidarity.

from the movie

As in all the arguments and fights, from micro to macro, it’s a common thing for people to blame one another. However, the arts and movies help us elevate and inspire a birds eye view perspective where we can focus on our common points. More importantly, striving to be a good human who can share and care for each other. When we accept each other we have fewer differences that separate us. At the end of the day, it all comes down to learning to live in coexistence and tolerating one another, and film festivals such as this one, giving us this kind of environment.

I hope all my readers in Los Angeles will have the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival and enjoy a few films. Remember; you can check out all the films to choose from via the link, https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/los-angeles-jewish-film-festival-2024-3413719.

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L.A. Jewish Film Festival - Fighting Antisemitism One Film at a Time!

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