The 32nd Annual Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival is going virtual this year, which means you don't need to leave your house to check out a "diverse, inspiring lineup of award-winning films and engaging, educational programming that connects the Jewish and Israeli stories," says the fest.
Both feature-length and short films will be screened Jan. 23-Feb. 18. But note: You'll still need tickets or a film fest pass to view them, available at mayersonjcc.org. Tickets to individual screenings run about $10 and a fest pass is $118 per household ($92 for Mayerson JCC members).
Opening night takes place 7 p.m. Jan. 23 and will celebrate with a special local version of Laila Lavan — Tel Aviv's annual citywide cultural party with art, music and more.
"The Opening Night virtual festivities provide you with a gift bag including a recipe card and ingredients to follow along with a live custom cocktail demonstration by mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer and join film lecturer Galit Roichman for a cinematic journey to Israel," says a release from the festival.
The festival closes on Feb. 18 after a viewing of Shari Rogers’ Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance, followed by a conversation with director Rogers, as well as Dr. Gary Zola, Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives; Paul M. Booth, Division Manager, City of Cincinnati Office of Human Relations; and Pastor Paul M. Booth, Jr., Lead Pastor and Founder of Legacy Pointe Church.
In between those two events, films will be screened online including:
- When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit — "Nine-year-old Anna is too busy with schoolwork and friends to notice Hitler’s face glaring from posters plastered all over 1933 Berlin. But when her father suddenly vanishes, and the family is secretly hurried out of Germany, Anna begins to understand life will never be the same. What follows is a courageous adventure full of fear and uncertainty, as Anna and her family navigate unfamiliar lands, and cope with the challenges of being refugees."
- The Art of Waiting — "Liran and Tali are happily married, but their lives are missing one thing: a baby. With the biological clock ticking, the film tackles sensitive topics as the couple embark on a physical and emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatments, medical procedures, and regimented lovemaking."
- Transkids — "Four Israeli teenagers undergo the process of life-and-identity-saving gender transformation in a country where military service is mandatory and religion is not separated from the state."
- Asia — "Asia’s motherhood has always been an ongoing struggle with her now 17 year-old daughter, Vika. Asia stumbles to achieve balance between asserting her parental authority and respecting her daughter’s point of view. Vika’s deteriorating health urges Asia to finally find her voice as a mother and embrace and cherish their time together. "
See the full schedule and film descriptions at mayersonjcc.org.
