FILMS EXAMINING ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN LIFE AT THE 38TH SAN FRANCISCO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
6/19/2018
SAN FRANCISCO, June 19, 2018 - The 38th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF38) will once again present an array of thought-provoking films that examine not only the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also the rhythms of daily life in both societies of the region.. The Festival, presented annually by the Jewish Film Institute (JFI), will return to the Bay Area July 19th to August 5th.
SFJFF38 will launch its East Bay Screenings at the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany with THE OSLO DIARIES, Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan's examination of the 1992 peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Producer Hilla Medalia will be in person for the East Bay Opening Night screening Thursday, July 26th at 6:30PM at the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany and the East Bay Opening Night Reception immediately following the film. The film will also screen Wednesday July 25th at 5:45PM at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco with Medalia present, and Saturday, July 21st at 2:05PM at the CinéArts Theatre in Palo Alto.
As part of JFI's Next Wave initiative, which focuses on stories of contemporary Jewish life, the Festival's Next Wave Spotlight will present the West Coast premiere of Marco Proserpio's THE MAN WHO STOLE BANKSY fresh from its World Premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. In 2007, world renowned street artist Banksy traveled to Palestine and painted a number of politically charged works on walls and buildings all over the city. Some viewed this as a nuisance; others hailed the work as high art; and still more saw a business opportunity. Specifically, a bodybuilder and local taxi driver known as Walid the Beast came up with an entrepreneurial plan: cut out the entire cement wall containing the art and sell it off to the highest bidder. Producer Filippo Perfido will be in attendance for the screening in San Francisco Saturday, July 21st at 8:45PM at the Next Wave Spotlight screening at the Castro Theatre, and an additional screening will be held Wednesday, August 1st at 8:30PM at the the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany.
Making its U.S. Premiere at the festival, THE MOSSAD looks at the Israeli Intelligence Agency. Through intimate interviews and stunning archival footage, the film examines the successes, failures and near misses that the organization has had since its inception in 1949. Screenings of the film will take place Tuesday, July 24th at 1:20PM at the CinéArts Theatre in Palo Alto, Thursday, July 26th at 1:15PM at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, and Friday, July 27th at 3:50PM at the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany.
Housing one of the world's greatest collections of art and antiquities, the Israel Museum is the focus of Ran Tal's THE MUSEUM, an in-depth look examining the central role the museum has in the nation. The film will make its West Coast Premiere at SFJFF38 on Monday, July 23rd at 1:45PM at the CinéArts Theatre in Palo Alto with additional screenings Sunday, July 29th at 11:00AM at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, and Friday, August 3rd at 4:25PM at the Piedmont Theatre in Oakland.
In NAILA AND THE UPRISING, award-winning filmmaker Julia Bacha (Budrus, SFJFF 2010) chronicles the remarkable journey of Palestinian Naila Ayesh, who played a key role in the nonviolent Palestinian uprising known as the First Intifada. Bacha will be present for both screenings of the film Sunday, July 29th at 5:00PM at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, and Monday, July 30th at 3:25PM at the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany.
Set in East Jerusalem, RED COW follows Benny, an outsider with red hair who is overcome with exciting new feelings when Yael arrives in her small community. The film touches on the universal desires of first lust and the feeling of being alive for the first time. RED COW will make its North American Premiere Monday, July 23rd at 11:30AM at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 24th at 8:15PM at the CinéArts Theatre in Palo Alto, Tuesday, July 31st at 8:25PM at the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany, and Sunday, August 5th at 8:30PM at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.
Annemarie Jacir's WAJIB follows Shadi, an architect living in Italy, who returns to Nazareth for the wedding of his sister. During his time there he must help his father hand deliver the 340 wedding invitations, in accordance with Palestinian custom, but when he wants to invite a Jewish friend, viewers are given the chance to see the conflict through the eyes of two different generations of Palestinians. WAJIB will screen Tuesday, July 24th at 8:55PM at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, Friday, August 3rd at 8:20PM at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, and Saturday, August 4th at 6:30PM at the Piedmont Theatre in Oakland.
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Entering its 38th year, the Festival is expecting an audience of over 40,000 moviegoers at the following theaters; the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, the Albany Twin Theatre in Albany, the Piedmont Theatre in Oakland, the CinéArts Theatre in Palo Alto, and the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.
For general and ticket information, visit sfjff.org or email jewishfilm@sfjff.org. To contact the SFJFF Box Office directly, please email boxoffice@sfjff.org or call 415.621.0568. The full program for SFJFF38 will be revealed on June 19, 2018. For Festival logos, photos and press materials, visit jfi.org/press or sfjff.org/press. To request interviews or screeners, contact Larsen Associates.
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About the Jewish Film Institute
The Jewish Film Institute (JFI) is the premier curatorial voice for Jewish film and media and a leading arts and culture organization in the Bay Area. Presenter of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, JFI catalyzes and inspires communities in San Francisco and around the world to expand their understanding of Jewish life and culture through film, media, and dialogue. Year round, the Jewish Film Institute promotes awareness and appreciation of the diversity of the Jewish people through multiple mediums - including original online programming that reaches a global audience of over 2 million views. All of these services, along with artists' support and educational initiatives, give audiences around the world even greater access to Jewish culture and the visionaries who shape it.
About the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF), presented by the Jewish Film Institute, is the largest and longest-running festival of its kind and a leader in the curation and presentation of new film and media exploring the complexities of Jewish life around the world. Presenting more than 65 films and 135 individual screenings, performances and events in five Bay Area cities (San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Rafael, Oakland, Berkeley), SFJFF attracts more than 40,000 filmgoers and industry professionals to its 18-day program.
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival 38 Sponsors
The Jewish Film Institute and San Francisco Jewish Film Festival wish to thank the 2018 Premier Festival Sponsors Sterling Bank & Trust and The Seligman Family Foundation.
SFJFF38 wishes to thank its Premier Media Sponsors: the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGATE; its Grand Media Sponsors: J. the Jewish News of Northern California, KQED and The Forward; and its Major Media Sponsors: ABC7/KGO-TV, Berkeleyside.com and the SF Bay Times.
The Festival wishes to thank its Business and Community Sponsors: Berkeley Film Foundation,
Britex Fabrics, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, Craig Harrison's Expressions of ExcellenceTM,GoWatchIt, Ingeniux Web Experience Management, Schoenberg Family Law Group, Sinai Memorial Chapel Chevra Kadisha and Wareham Development and Where the Buffalo Roam.
SFJFF38 also recognizes its Hospitality and Events Sponsors: Leftwich Event Specialists, Inc., Ba-Bite, Catch SF, Hagafen Wineries, the Hotel Carlton, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Landmark Theatres, L'Chaim Sushi, Frena Bakery, Little Star Pizza, Melons Catering & Events, Sullivan & Botello Party Rentals, Poesia, Salt & Honey, Saul's Restaurant and Delicatessen, Taste, Wise Sons and Zaytoon Mediterranean Restaurant & Bar.
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