This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Boston Jewish Film Festival Announces November Fest Lineup

Festival features Jewish films from around the world

Editor's note: Jeffrey B. Remz is the Communications and Marketing Manager for the Boston Jewish Film Festival. This is a press release issued by the BJFF:

The 24th annual Boston Jewish Film Festival will present 45 films from Nov. 7-19, ranging from an upbeat documentary about one of the world’s best known songs to edgy women’s films to an American classic hand-picked by a theatre giant to a shorts film competition to many exciting debuts from directors.

A worldwide selection of film from the U.S., Israel, Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Nigeria, Russia and South Africa will screen at Greater Boston area theatres with panel discussions involving actors, directors and subjects heightening the experience.

“I can’t wait to share these exceptional works with Boston audiences,” says Amy Geller, who celebrates her first Boston Jewish Film Festival as artistic director. “I’m particularly excited about the diversity of perspectives and themes represented in our program. We are also presenting a series of special programs such as ‘Favorite Films from the Famous,’ ‘Not a Doctor, Not a Lawyer’ and a Short Film Competition complete with cash prizes.”

“This is a celebration that includes not just films,” Geller says. “It’s a multi-sensory experience with sustenance for your heart, your head and even your soul.”

The Festival will present trailblazing features from first-time Israeli directors, such as Tamar Tal ("Life in Stills"), Maya Kenig ("Off White Lies"), Sharon Bar-Ziv ("Room 514"), and Lior Har-Lev ("We Are Not Alone").

“The quality of the films from Israel has completely blown me away,” Geller says. “It reminds me of the American Independent Film Movement of the 1990s, which produced character-driven, thought-provoking work that pushed cinematic boundaries.”

"Life in Stills" opens the Festival. The heart-warming and sometimes heartbreaking Israeli documentary of love, courage and compassion tells the story of 96-year-old widow Miriam Weisenstein, who owns The Photo Shop, home to millions of her husband’s film negatives documenting Israeli history. A developer wants to take over the property, but Miriam and her grandson, Ben, work to save the shop. Director Tamar Tal will attend. Nov. 7, 7:30 PM, Coolidge Corner Theatre. (also screens Nov. 19, 7 PM, AMC Framingham, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"amc-theatre-framingham"} -->)

The Mid-Fest Film is "Dorfman" starring Elliot Gould and Sara Rue. In this Los Angeles-based romantic comedy, television actress Rue ("Less Than Perfect", "Popular") plays Deb Dorfman, a mousy single woman, who caters to the whims of everybody else, including her widower curmudgeon of a father (Gould). But with a move from the sedate ‘burbs to the whirlwind of LA and some new-found self-confidence, she may just find Mr. Right. Nov. 14, 7 PM, Coolidge Corner Theatre. Gould has been invited to attend. (also screens Nov. 19, 7 PM, Hollywood Hits Premiere Theatres, Danvers)

Closing night features "Hava Nagila (The Movie)". Everyone from Bob Dylan to Harry Belafonte to Elvis sang it. Aly Raisman, who will make a cameo video appearance, performed to it at the London Olympics. But this enlightening documentary explores the controversial, complex history of the bouncy melody created in the Ukraine and its relevance to Jewish culture. With cameos by Leonard Nimoy, Regina Spektor, Connie Francis and Glen Campbell. Director Roberta Grossman will attend. Nov. 18, 6:30 PM, Museum of Fine Arts. (also screens Nov. 19, 7 PM, , Nov. 14, 1 PM, in Brookline, AMC Framingham, Arlington Capitol Theatre, Cinema Salem, Hollywood Hits Theatres in Danvers, Showcase Cinema de Lux Patriot Place in Foxboro, Somerville Theatre and Theatre 1 at Revere Hotel Boston Common in Boston.

The Festival’s website offers film descriptions and schedule information as well as ticket purchases.

The Festival offers two pass options: the all-access Friends Pass at $225 and the REELPass, a $30 3-film pass.

Tickets for most films are $12 for general admission and $11 for seniors, students and current members of The Boston Jewish Film Festival, MFA,

Find out what's happening in Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?