FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JCC Film Fest to Screen 15 Movies
and Short-Film Winners

Full-length features and documentaries comprise the 17th Annual St. Louis Jewish Film Festival, June 10-14. The Festival offers something for practically everyone, with 15 films from eight countries to be presented, as well as the winning films from a new Short Film Competition.

Films of the Festival focus on journeys of personal faith, growth and exploration. The Festival is presented by the Jewish Community Center Cultural Arts Department, and all films will be shown at the Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema (Lindbergh and Clayton Road). This year’s Jewish Film Festival co-chairs are Louise Levine and Judy Plocker.
 
Two fantastic films open the festival on June 10. David: The Movie is a family friendly film that the whole community can enjoy, a remarkable story of an 11-year-old boy who innocently manages to break down interfaith barriers. It is a story of faith, friendship and family, and the challenges of being different in America.  Sunday,  June 10 at 4pm.

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story is a “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” tribute to the half-century partnership of brothers Robert and Richard Sherman, who created songs and music for 50 movies, including Disney classics such as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and The Aristocrats. The film will be introduced by new Executive Producer of The MUNY, Mike Isaacson. Sunday,  June 10 at 7pm.

Tickets are $18 for opening day films and include free popcorn. Save by attending both opening day films for $30.

Feature length films originating from France, Israel, Germany and Poland tell the stories of bravery under dire circumstances, families in a new country, an unlikely pairing in a romantic comedy and even the escapades of spies.

During the Festival, audiences will meet historical personalities, from Israeli hero Yoni Netanyahu, the only soldier to die on the daring raid on Entebbe; the violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz;  Sholom Aleichem, the creator of the Tevye the milkman stories upon which Fiddler on the Roof  is based; and the little- known creator of the Kindertransport to England, Nicholas Winton, who is still alive at age 102.

This year is the second Short Film Competition for emerging filmmakers, themed “Love your neighbor as yourself.” High school students and professional s had the opportunity to create a five-minute film in a variety of formats including documentary, features and  animation. The winning films will be shown before the opening film David on Sunday June 10.

Tickets for weekday films are $11 in advance and $12 at the door. Save money by purchasing a four-pack of weekday films for $40. Student tickets (16 and under) are $8 for weekday films and $10 for Opening  Day. Call 314-442-3179 to charge by phone or go to brownpapertickets.com to purchase online.  A complete film schedule is available at www.stljewishfilmfestival.org.

ABOUT THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL:
The Jewish Film Festival is an annual event which celebrates film and the impact and influence of Jewish culture on current movies and filmmakers. The St. Louis Film Festival celebrates its 17th year in 2012 and has drawn sold-out shows over the past several years. In general, three to five films are shown per day, both documentaries and features. In recent years, a student and professional film competition has also been added.

ABOUT THE J:
The J is an interactive, multi-generational gathering place that offers a variety of programs and services to both the St. Louis Jewish community, and the community at large. The Jewish Community Center provides educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programming and offers two, state-of-the art fitness facilities, all designed to promote physical and spiritual growth.  Everyone is welcome at the J.