2011 Festival Highlights

Complete 2011 Film Selection List and Online Tickets

Opening Night Gala

Jews in Space
An Article of Hope
Los Angeles Premiere!

Thursday, May 5
7:00pm doors open for red carpet
8:00 show begins
Dessert reception to follow
Writers Guild Theatre, Beverly Hills
Buy tickets for An Article of Hope

Directed by Dan Cohen

Discussion to follow with Dan Cohen, Peter Diamandis, Founder & Chairman of XPrize, and a shuttle astronaut!

Appetizers provided by Takosher and Wholly Rollers and dessert sponsored by Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill, Hansen’s Cakes & Bean Crazy

Getting Chai
Polish Bar
Los Angeles Premiere

Preceded by
The Tailor

Saturday, May 7, 8:00 pm
Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Buy tickets for Polish Bar/The Tailor

Reuben struggles with his identity, but in a world of addiction, can he find his way back to his Jewish roots and ultimately, redemption? Commanding performances by Vincent Piazza, Richard Belzer, and Judd Hirsch.

Panel discussion with Rabbi Mark Borowitz of Beit T’Shuvah, filmmaker Ben Berkowitz, and cast members to follow.

Lest We Forget
La Rafle
Los Angeles Premiere!

Saturday, May 7, 8:00 pm
Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino
Buy tickets for La Rafle

Tuesday, May 10
5:00 pm – Pre-film reception at the
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust
7:30 pm – screening after reception at
Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Buy tickets for La Rafle

Commemorate Yom HaShoah by bearing witness to this moving account about the little known story of the deportation of 13,000 French Jews and those who risked their lives to help them. Powerful performances by Mélanie Laurent and Jean Reno.

Discussion with Holocaust experts and survivors to follow each show.

Sponsored by the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust in cooperation with the Anti-Defamation League.

“In the Big Inning…” Genesis 1:1
Mother’s Day is a special celebration for the whole family. If brunch didn’t quite fill you up, grab a Hebrew National and root, root, root for…

Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story
Sunday, May 8, 4:30 pm
Laemmle’s Town Center – Encino
Buy tickets for Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story
Discussion with a professional baseball player to follow!

Cheer with fans like Ron Howard and Larry King for this in-depth look at the history and profound influences of Jews on the most beloved American sport. Bases are loaded with this gem.

Extraordinary Mothers & Others
Get in touch with your feminine side on Mother’s Day! Join us for a diverse series of films honoring the many portrayals of remarkable women.

All playing on Sunday, May 8

Ingelore
One woman proves that perseverance and dreams of freedom can overcome any physical challenges.

Followed by
Surviving Hitler: A Love Story
You’ve seen the Tom Cruise version of Valkyrie, but have you ever thought about the real women and men behind the dangerous plot to kill Hitler?
4:30 pm • Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Buy tickets for Ingelore/Surviving Hitler: A Love Story
Followed by Q & A with directors.

He’s My Girl – Los Angeles Premiere
There are too many women in Simon Eskenazy’s life – what do you do when your ailing mother, ex-wife and transvestite lover all show up at the same time….
7:00 pm • Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Buy tickets for He’s My Girl

Precious Life
What risks does a mother take to save the life of her child? Can Israelis and Palestinians put aside their differences to achieve this common goal?
7:00 pm • Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino.
Buy tickets for Precious Life

It’s a Family Affair
Shalom Sesame
Yom Ha’Atzmaut Family Event!

Monday, May 9, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Westside JCC, Los Angeles
Buy tickets for Shalom Sesame

For families with children ages 3 – 8…Come celebrate Israel’s 63rd Birthday! Bring your own picnic dinner, enjoy an arts and craft activity and view the brand new film Welcome to Israel from the Shalom Sesame series. The night will end with a special “birthday” dessert.

Celebrate Israel for Yom Ha’Atzmaut
In honor of Yom Ha’Atzmaut, join us for two short films that show portrayals of leadership and patriotism and the complexities of contemporary Israeli society.

Monday, May 9, 7:30 pm
Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino
Films followed by a Q & A with filmmaker Danny Yagil, director of…
The Decision Maker
Los Angeles Premiere

How far would you go for the love of your country?

Playing with

Lenin in October
A million Russian immigrants came to Israel but did they really leave their love of the Soviet Union behind?

Buy tickets for The Decision Maker/Lenin in October

Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel, in cooperation with the Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity.

Tikkun Olam
The power of interfaith community action can improve the world and combat genocide and other human rights violations.

Strangers No More
Don’t miss the opportunity to see the 2010 Academy Award winner for Best Short Documentary in this dramatic portrayal of Israel as a caring society.

Followed by
Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean
Los Angeles Premiere
An African Jew had the vision to see that a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew can achieve great success together when they have a common humanitarian goal at heart.

Monday, May 9, 7:30 pm
Muvico, Thousand Oaks (in the Conejo Valley)
Buy tickets for Strangers No More/Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean

Sponsored by Heschel West & Conejo Valley Outreach with a grant from the Jewish Federation, Valley Alliance.

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 pm

Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino
Buy tickets for Strangers No More/Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean

Discussion with Curt Fissel & Ellen Friedland of Delicious Peace to follow both shows.

In partnership with Jewish World Watch and the New Israel Fund

Rhythm and Jews
The Socalled Movie
Los Angeles Premiere

Monday, May 9, 7:30 pm
Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
Buy tickets for Shofar Calling/The SoCalled Movie

Film followed by a Q & A with Josh Dolgin and live performance by “Socalled” & Doris Glaspie.

Join us for the magical mystery tour of Montreal-based musician Josh “Socalled” Dolgin. Known for his unique approach, his use of funk, klezmer, hip hop, lounge, and classical music has earned Socalled performances all over the world. Just see if you can leave the theater without singing his songs!

Sponsored by Birthright Israel NEXT LA

Closing Night
Who Do You Love

Thursday, May 12, 7:30 pm
Laemmle’s Town Center, Encino
Buy tickets for Who Do You Love

Discussion to follow with producer Jonathan Mitchell; three-time Grammy award winner blues artist, Keb’ Mo’; actors Jon Abrahams, David Oyelowo, and other cast members.

End the festival on a “high note.” Learn about the legendary Leonard and Phil Chess, two Jewish immigrants who understood that talent and inspiration comes in all colors. Their vision of introducing Delta blues into mainstream America earned them a place in history. Today Chess Records is recognized as a central influence on American popular music. With a musical score that will have you rockin’ and rollin’ in your seat, you won’t want to miss this event.

Complete 2011 Film Selection List and Online Tickets