Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival Announces Opening & Closing Movies
By: A.A. Cristi Dec. 11, 2017
Ellen Wedner, Director of The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival, today announced the opening and closing films of the upcoming 28th annual festival that will present 35 movies from around the world. Both movies are music-based, making their Florida Premiere at the Festival, and will be shown at the AMC CityPlace 20 in West Palm Beach.
Opening Film - Thursday, January 18 at 7 pm
BODY & SOUL
An American Bridge
Out of all the cross-cultural encounters that have resulted in the richness of American popular music, none has been so prominent as that between African Americans and American Jews. This film illuminates that concept by focusing on the early performance history of the jazz standard, Body and Soul. Composed by Jewish composer Johnny Green in 1929, the song was introduced on Broadway by Jewish torch singer Libby Holman and ushered into the jazz canon by Louis Armstrong the following year. The film was written and directed by Robert Philipson.
Presenting Partner: Leslie & Richard Stone
Film Partners: Barbara Mines, Linda & Ray Golden, Bente Lyons, Cyma & Ed Satell
The cost to attend Opening Night:
- Director Level Film Society: Complimentary
- Actor Level Film Society: $20 for film & reception; $15 for film only
- Guests & Nonmembers: $25 for film & reception; $15 for film only
Closing Film & Festival Awards - Sunday, February 11 at 2 pm
DREAMING OF A JEWISH CHRISTMAS
Set entirely in a Chinese restaurant, this offbeat, irreverent musical documentary tells the story of a group of Jewish songwriters - Irving Berlin, Mel Torme, Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Gloria Shayne Baker and Johnny Marks - who wrote the soundtrack to Christianity's most musical holiday. It's an amazing tale of immigrant outsiders who became irreplaceable players in pop culture's mainstream - a generation of songwriters who found in Christmas the perfect holiday in which to imagine a better world, and make people believe it for at least one day a year. The film was directed by Larry Weinstein and produced by Jason Charters and Liam Romalis of Riddle Films.
Presenting Partners: Leslie & Richard Stone, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
The cost to attend Closing Matinee:
- Star Arts, Cinema Circle, Director Level Film Society: Complimentary for pre-screening lunch and film
- Actor Level Film Society: $15 for film only
- Guests & Nonmembers: $18 for film only
Between the opening night and closing films, the 2018 Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will present a total of 35 memorable, emotionally-stirring movies at:
- January 20-26: Cinemark Palace 20 in Boca Raton
- January 22-26: AMC CityPlace 20 in West Palm Beach
- January 27-February 3: PGA Arts Center in Palm Beach Gardens
- January 28-February 2: Cobb Theatres in Palm Beach Gardens
- February 5-8: CMX Cinemas (formerly Paragon Theaters) in Wellington
- February 4-10: Frank Theatres in Delray Beach
On Sale Information:
Tickets will be available for purchase in January through the website www.PBJFF.org or by calling 877-318-0071.
For more information on membership, sponsor partnerships, pre-festival screenings and events, or to sign-up for the mailing list, please visit PBJFF.org or call 561-712-5235. The 2018 festival films, trailers and complete schedule will be available on the website in December 2017.
About the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival:
Presented by the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches, The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival strives to bring to South Florida the finest examples of cinema from around the world. Founded in 1990 the festival continues to grow and evolve as it continues to expand the selection of narrative features, short films and documentaries to reflect the tastes and needs of its audience. The 28th annual The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will be held Jan. 18 through Feb. 11, 2018. For more information, please visit www.PBJFF.org.
About the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches:
The Mandel JCC has two locations in Palm Beach County. The Boynton Beach building is at 8500 Jog Road and the Palm Beach Gardens building is at 5221 Hood Road. For more information about the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, visit www.jcconline.com.
The mission of the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is to build community and enhance connection to Jewish life. The Mandel JCC is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
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