About American Jewish Committee (AJC)
American Jewish Committee (AJC) was established in 1906 to protect Jewish populations in danger and work towards a world in which all peoples are accorded respect and dignity. Over 100 years later, AJC continues its efforts to promote pluralistic and democratic societies where all minorities are protected. AJC is an international think tank and advocacy organization attempting to identify trends and problems early -- and take action. Key areas of focus are: combating anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, promoting pluralism and shared democratic values, supporting Israel's quest for peace and security, advocating for energy independence and strengthening Jewish life. For more information, visit www.ajc.org and www.ajcseattle.org

About the AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival
The Annual AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival is a 10-day international cinematic exploration and celebration of Jewish life, culture, identity and history that strives to build bridges of mutual understanding between diverse groups in our Puget Sound region. Founded in 1995, SJFF has grown dramatically in size and reputation into the largest and most anticipated Jewish cultural event in the Pacific Northwest and ranks in the top five festivals of its kind in the U.S. SJFF uses film to both entertain and educate the Jewish and general communities about the complex issues facing the Jewish people and world community alike, while challenging conventional perspectives The Seattle Jewish Film Festival is a program of American Jewish Committee's (AJC) Seattle Regional Office. The festival runs March 11-20 and a full schedule of screenings, special events and guest speakers is available online. General Admission is: $11/$8. Passes Range: $65-$200. Special Events: $11-$25.

About FILMTalks
The Shemanski Trust FILMTalks - AJC/SJFF's free, anti-prejudice, diversity and media literacy curriculum program for high school students - employs the powerful medium of film to promote cross-cultural understanding and spark social action. Past films screened and discussed include: DEFIANCE, HOTEL RWANDA, SOPHIE SCHOOL: THE FINAL DAYS and TSOTSI. This year, for the first time, SJFF welcomes a film director (Michael Verhoeven) to speak directly with students.

2010 Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE #3: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-5-2010

Diverse List of Local Talent and Well-Known Artists

SEATTLE - March 4, 2010 - The AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival (SJFF) returns for its 15th run March 11 - 21, 2010. SJFF, the premiere public program of American Jewish Committee Seattle Regional Office (AJC), is well known for offering the best in critically acclaimed, independent Jewish-themed and Israeli films (30 films from 10 countries), special events and educational programming. "Seeing the World through a Vibrant Lens," this year's IS-REEL theme highlights Israel's cinematic coming-of-age and complexity and for the festival's 15th anniversary, SJFF welcomes back director Michael Verheoven, who last visited in 1995.

SJFF is pleased to announce the following special guests and filmmakers who will be on hand for the festival:

March 11: Andy Schocken, Co-Producer - THE LAST CAMPAIGN OF BOOTH GARDNER (Academy Award nominated short film). Schocken , a native Western Washington "boychick" and "prodigal son," will present clips from his Academy Award nominated short THE LAST CAMPAIGN OF BOOTH GARDNER at SJFF's Pre-Opening Night Cocktail Party hosted by Tom Douglas at the Palace Ballroom and featuring an exclusive short film series only available online and powered by IndieFlix.com.

March 11: Anna He, Singer/Songwriter of AWIM also performs at the Tom Douglas Pre-Opening party.

March 14: Gaylen Ross, Director - KILLING KASZTNER: THE JEW WHO DEALT WITH THE NAZIS

March 14: "Scott Goldstein,"http://www.seattlejewishfilmfestival.org/event/detail/36 Director/Producer - WHERE I STAND: THE HANK GREENSPUN STORY

March 18: Michael Verhoeven, Director - NASTY GIRL for FILM Talks; HUMAN FAILURE and Recipient of SJFF's Inaugural Reel Difference Award

March 21: Nissim Reuben, AJC Program Director of Indian-Jewish American Relations - RAFTING TO BOMBAY

March 21: Dr. Maina Chawla Singh, Professor Dehill & American University; Author "Being Jewish, Being Israeli" - RAFTING TO BOMBAY

March 21: Beth Toni Kruvant, Director - HEART OF STONE

"You don't have to be Jewish to love these films and guests," says Pamela Lavitt, the festival's director. "At SJFF, there is something for everyone, and in order for us to accomplish AJC Seattle's mission of building bridges of mutual understanding in our region, we invite audiences to view and discuss 'The World Through a Vibrant Lens' with artists that teaches us something about each other and universal human values."

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PRESS RELEASE #2: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-26-2010

A Real Life Zelig: The Stranger Than Fiction Real Life of Hank Greenspun at SJFF. WHERE I STAND: THE HANK GREENSPUN STORY Bows Sunday March 14

SEATTLE - February 26, 2010 - The AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival (SJFF) returns for its 15th run March 11 - 21, 2010. SJFF, the premiere public program of the American Jewish Committee Seattle Regional Office (AJC), is well known for offering the best in critically acclaimed, independent Jewish-themed and Israeli films (30 films from 10 countries), special events and educational programming. Many special guests and filmmakers will also be on hand for the festival and venues include Seattle's Cinerama and SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall.

Convicted gun runner, Las Vegas visionary, crusading newspaper publisher, target of the Watergate burglars, hero of Israel's War of Independence -- these are only some of the highlights in Hank Greenspun's remarkable life. Producer/Director Scott Goldstein chronicles Greenspun's story -- the endlessly surprising life of a charismatic newspaperman -- in the documentary WHERE I STAND: THE HANK GREENSPUN STORY screening March 14 at SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall.

Scott Goldstein (Full Bio), formerly of Seattle's KING TV returns to present the WHERE I STAND at the screening. Goldstein is a two-time Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning producer/writer/director. His credits include "The Today Show, "L.A. Law" and "Doogie Howser" along with the documentaries ENDGAME: ETHICS AND VALUES IN AMERICA and HOLOCAUST: NEW YORK TOLERANCE CENTER.

From his early days working for Bugsy Siegel and his secret life in the underground Haganah to his public battles with Senator Joseph McCarthy, bigoted casino owners, the mafia and the IRS, Hank Greenspun was undeniably fearless. WHERE I STAND: THE HANK GREENSPUN STORY is a previously untold story about a genuine American icon with serious chutzpah.

About The Film
SJFF Community Partners for the film include the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and Washington News Council. The film is narrated by Anthony Hopkins and features interviews with gangsters, movie stars, the Greenspun family, Bugsy Siegel, Richard Nixon, Shimon Peres and Steve Wynn. USA, 2008.

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PRESS RELEASE #1: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-12-2010

"Seeing the World Through a Vibrant Lens" 2010 AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival Returns with Edgy and Unique Stories

SEATTLE -- February 12, 2010 -- The AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival (SJFF) returns for its 15th run March 11 - 21, 2010. SJFF, the premiere public program of American Jewish Committee Seattle Regional Office (AJC), is well known for offering the best in critically acclaimed, independent Jewish-themed and Israeli films (30 films from 10 countries), special events and educational programming. Many special guests and filmmakers will also be on hand for the festival.

"At a time when Israel and Israeli cinema finds itself relentlessly under the lens of international scrutiny and criticism, SJFF as a program of American Jewish Committee, finds it refreshing and inspiring to see courageous, self-reflective, often critical and at times transcendent films coming out of Israel that capture the complexities of daily life," says SJFF Director Pamela Lavitt.

Co-chair David Brumer adds, "This year, SJFF's IS-REEL programming - a selection of wide-ranging, critically acclaimed Israeli films reveals the interconnectedness of Israel's diverse populations and neighbors 'swimming in each other's veins,' to rephrase the Israeli idiom."

The Academy Award nominated AJAMI is feted on Opening Night (Saturday, March 13). The gritty crime drama is set on the streets of Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood -- a melting pot of cultures and conflicting views among Jews, Muslims and Christians. Told through the eyes of a cross section of the city's diverse inhabitants, we witness a dramatic collision of different worlds with tragic consequences. AJAMI was co-written, directed and edited chronically over eight years by a Jewish Israeli, Yaron Shani and a Palestinian Christian, Scandar Copti. Winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Film and short-listed for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language category, AJAMI makes its Pacific Northwest debut at SJFF and launches the festival's on "IS-REEL" programmatic focus.

The robust slate of "IS-REEL" films -- from 'A to Z' -- includes the highly anticipated KILLING KASZTNER: THE JEW WHO DEALT WITH THE NAZIS (March 14), ZRUVABEL (March 16), JAFFA, eponymously named after the same tinderbox neighborhood and VOICES OF EL-SAYED (March 17), SEVEN MINUTES IN HEAVEN and EYES WIDE OPEN (March 20).

The festival closes on a "lighter" note March 21 with the Israeli comedy A MATTER OF SIZE about a husky, unmotivated chef living at home with his mother in the Israeli city of Ramla who learns the art of sumo wrestling from a sushi restaurant owner and "Japanese Zionist." Co-directed by Erez Tadmor (STRANGERS, SJFF 2009) and Sharon Maymon, A MATTER OF SIZE is a relatable story of self-acceptance and determination. It received 13 Israeli Academy Award nominations and has been picked up by the Weinstein Company for a Hollywood remake.

"You don't have to be Jewish, or Israeli for that matter, to enjoy these great films. After all, this is the third year in a row that an Israeli film has been nominated for an Academy Award," Director Pamela Lavitt asserts. "Besides, at SJFF, there is something for everyone, and in order for us to accomplish AJC Seattle's mission of building bridges of mutual understanding in our region, we invite audiences to view and discuss 'the world through a vibrant lens' that teaches us something about each other and universal human values."

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The festival runs March 11-20 and a full schedule of screenings, special events and guest speakers is available online.

Festival graphics, film stills and press kits are available at www.seattlejewishfilmfestival.org/pressinfo.

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American Jewish Committee
Presents

Ticket hotline: 206.324.9996
group/discount rates by phone only

Website by WireMedia

Press Info

Hi-Res Downloads Festival Graphics|Films|Guests (click)
For Press Releases (scroll down)

SJFF Festival Images

SJFF Logo, 2010 Poster, and 2010 Program Insert (click to download)

SJFF Films

Press Kits, Posters & Hi-Res Stills (click item to download)

SJFF Guest Artist

Headshots (click item to download)

Press Contact:

Press Basics: About AJC Seattle & SJFF Programming

2010 Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE #3: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-5-2010

Diverse List of Local Talent and Well-Known Artists

PRESS RELEASE #2: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-26-2010

A Real Life Zelig: The Stranger Than Fiction Real Life of Hank Greenspun at SJFF. WHERE I STAND: THE HANK GREENSPUN STORY Bows Sunday March 14

PRESS RELEASE #1: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-12-2010

"Seeing the World Through a Vibrant Lens" 2010 AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival Returns with Edgy and Unique Stories

American Jewish CommitteePresents

Ticket hotline: 206.324.9996 group/discount rates by phone only Website by WireMedia

Press Info

Hi-Res Downloads Festival Graphics|Films|Guests (click) For Press Releases (scroll down)

SJFF Festival Images

SJFF Logo, 2010 Poster, and 2010 Program Insert (click to download)

SJFF Films

Press Kits, Posters & Hi-Res Stills (click item to download)

SJFF Guest Artist

Headshots (click item to download)

Press Contact:

Press Basics: About AJC Seattle & SJFF Programming

2010 Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE #3: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-5-2010

Diverse List of Local Talent and Well-Known Artists

PRESS RELEASE #2: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-26-2010

A Real Life Zelig: The Stranger Than Fiction Real Life of Hank Greenspun at SJFF. WHERE I STAND: THE HANK GREENSPUN STORY Bows Sunday March 14

PRESS RELEASE #1: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-12-2010

"Seeing the World Through a Vibrant Lens" 2010 AJC Seattle Jewish Film Festival Returns with Edgy and Unique Stories

American Jewish Committee
Presents

Ticket hotline: 206.324.9996
group/discount rates by phone only

Website by WireMedia

Hi-Res Downloads Festival Graphics|Films|Guests (click)
For Press Releases (scroll down)