News Room

SJFF08 PRESS RELEASE #1

Jan. 24, 2008

For Immediate Release:

13th ANNUAL SEATTLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL RUNS APRIL 3-13, 2008

~ "Bar Mitzvah" Festival Year Features "Coming-of-Age" Films
~ Award-Winning Israeli Films Commemorate Israel@60
~ Comedian Judy Gold Performs Stand-Up Comedy

Seattle, WA -- January 24, 2008 -- The Seattle Jewish Film Festival (SJFF) presented by the American Jewish Committee kicks off its 13th annual "Bar Mitzvah Bash" Birthday Year on Thursday, April 3rd.

"Coming of Age" Bar Mitzvah Themes: We will mark this Jewish rite of passage and celebratory milestone with an outstanding lineup of coming-of-age films, teen screenings, thematic special events, and special guest artists. By extension, SJFF will also commemorate Israel's 60th birthday and the "coming of age" of Israeli cinema @60 with a precedent-setting number of internationally acclaimed, award-winning classic and new Israeli films, including Etgar Keret's Jellyfish (winner of the prestigious Camera d'Or for Best First Feature at 2007 Cannes Film Festival), Joseph Cedar's Beaufort (winner of the coveted Silver Bear for Best Director at 2007 Berlinale and Israel's submission to the Oscars) and Sweet Mud (winner of the Sundance 2007 Dramatic World Cinema Jury Award and Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film at Berlinale 2007).

The festival ranks among the top five of its kind in the country, is the largest Jewish event in the Pacific Northwest and a mainstay of the Seattle arts and entertainment scene. SJFF opens at the Cinerama Theatre on Thursday, April 3rd and continues at that venue on April 5th and 6th, closing there on Sunday April 13th. In between, films run at Seattle's Museum of History & Industry from April 7-12th. SJFF is "dark" (no films) Friday, April 11th. What's more, SJFF is expanding to Tacoma with a satellite screening at WA State History Museum on Thursday, April 10th.

Guest Artists: In 10 days, SJFF boasts over 25 feature, documentary and short films and 10 guest artists. On Sunday, April 6th, we welcome numerous directors: Ilana Trachtman (Praying with Lior), Jason Hutt (Orthodox Stance), Alejandro Springall (My Mexican Shivah). In honor of Israel@60, SJFF presents a variety of artists. On Tuesday, April 8th at 6:45pm, world-renowned Magnum photographer Micha Bar-Am -- famous for his coverage of the Six Day War and numerous publications -- will present a slide-show lecture of his vast body of work. On Saturday, April 12th at MOHAI, we highlight SJFF Israeli filmmakers -- from this year and year's past -- with a retrospective panel discussion, "60 Years of Israeli Film," also in honor of Israel@60. As yet unconfirmed, musician Geva Alon will play an acoustic concert. Stay tuned for details...

Centerpiece Screening Event: And if that wasn't enough cause for celebration, SJFF presents our first Centerpiece Screening Event on Closing Sunday, April 13th with comedian Judy Gold performing stand-up followed by a screening of the documentary film, Making Trouble: Three Generations of Jewish Women in Comedy. Judy will participate in post-film discussion with film producers from the Jewish Women's Archives.

Special Events: SJFF's Opening Night "Bar Mitzvah Bash" begins with a Cocktail Party hosted by Tom Douglas at the Palace Ballroom, across the street from Cinerama before the Opening Night Film screening. This ticketed and pass-holder event will feature an array of Douglas's signature savory hors d'oeuvres. Meanwhile, the Bar Mitzvah theme festivities will continue at Cinerama leading up to the West Coast Premiere of SJFF's Opening Night Film, Sixty Six, a hilarious British coming-of-age comedy starring Helena Bonham Carter and Stephen Rea about a Bar Mitzvah boy whose aspirations for his big day are nearly diverted by World Cup soccer.

Other special events include the Matzoh Momma Sunday "Bar Mitzvah" Brunch on April 6th at 10:00 AM, featuring music from the Shalom Ensemble followed by the 11:00 AM screening of the family friendly film, Max, Minsky and Me (ages 9 and up).

The official 2008 festival website launches March 1st and will feature a complete schedule of films, special events, guest artists and ticket/pass purchase options. Here, you can also learn more about the Seattle Jewish Film Festival mission as well as that of our presenting agency, American Jewish Committee at www.ajcseattle.org

Ticket Pricing: $10 for general admission and $7 for seniors/students/youth/group. Bar and Bat Mitzvah teens who bring copies of their invitations get in free. Opening Night Party Tickets: $50 (includes film). Opening Night Film Only and Centerpiece Screening Event: $25 each. Matzoh Momma Sunday Brunch is $20 general; $15 senior/student/youth; $60 for a family of four.

Pass Pricing: Full Festival Pass: $250. Film Only Pass: $200. Flex Pass (8 punch and brunch): $85. Some discounts apply. Check website for details.

Press packets, screeners and still images will be delivered/available around February 15th. If you would like to receive screeners or for more information about visiting guest artists' and their availability for interviews, please contact Festival Director Pamela Lavitt.

###

Contact:
Pamela Lavitt, Festival Director
lavittp@ajc.org
206-622-6315 X5