A Film Unfinished premieres in Pittsburgh!

One Night Only! Saturday, November 6th, 7:30 p.m.JFilm: The Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum and
Three Rivers Film Festival
present the Pittsburgh Premiere of Yael Hersonski’s award-winning film

A Film Unfinished
2010, Israel/Germany, 35mm, 89 minutes
In German, Hebrew, Yiddish, Polish and English with subtitles

A remarkable true story about an unfinished Nazi film, four reels of which were discovered after the war. The silent film was an attempt to paint an idyllic picture of life within the Warsaw Ghetto, where some 440,000 Polish Jews awaited deportation. Carefully staged and cast, it showed Jewish "families" - played by actors - living a life of luxury and comfort, with no suggestion of the fate looming for the actual residents of the ghetto. Director Yael Hersonski invited five survivors of that ghetto to view the original footage and then filmed their emotional reactions. It may test your faith in humanity, but Hersonski’s film is nonetheless a brilliant reminder of the importance of bearing witness.

Winner, Best Documentary, 2010 Jerusalem International Film Festival

Click here to read the NY Times review


Saturday, November 6, 7:30 p.m.
Regent Square Theatre

For tickets, click here or call 412.992.5203.

Eli & Ben Screening

Thank you to everyone who attended the screening of Eli & Ben in the Eastern Suburbs on Sunday, 10/24.  There was a great turnout - about 100 people.  We hope you enjoyed the film and the panel discussion!

Breaking Upwards released on itunes, Netflix, Amazon

Breaking Upwards was screened this past March during the 2010 film festival as part of our Jewcy Film Series at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.  Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones were in the house to answer questions and mingle.  If you missed our great event, the film was just released on itunes, Netflix, and Amazon.  So, you can watch in your pj's in the comfort of your own home!

JFilm and the East Suburbs Jewish Connection present a screening of Eli & Ben

Eli & Ben - East Suburbs Event!Sunday, October 24, 7 p.m. 
Destinta Theatres, North Versailles
In Hebrew with subtitles, 89 minutes

Discussion with Cantor Rick Berlin, Rabbi Barbara Symons and Rabbi Paul Tuchman following the film. Moderated by Dodie Roskies.
Israeli heartthrob Lior Ashkenazi, plays Ben, a man searching for his identity in this universal story about truth and honesty. When Ben is accused of white-collar corruption, his 12-year-old son, Eli, doesn’t believe it and defends his father at all costs. As Eli’s relationship with the detective in charge of the case (a winning performance by Tzahi Grad) deepens, he is forced to ponder some of life’s big questions. “Eli & Ben” raises important moral issues for all of us, young and old. (Ages 12+)

Buy Tickets Today
Tickets also available at 412.992.5203 or at the theater on 10/24 beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Cash only at the door)

JFilm welcomes Schusterman Visiting Filmmaker: Dana Goren

JFilm is pleased to welcome Israeli filmmaker, Dana Goren, to Pittsburgh!  Dana will be an Artist in Residence from September through December 2010 with the support of the Schusterman Foundation Visiting Artist Program and will create a short documentary film as part of her residency.

Dana graduated from the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem and studied photography in New York and Jerusalem. Her most recent work is the feature length documentary, Diplomat, for which she served as researcher, scriptwriter, and

director. Diplomat won the prestigious Wolgin Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Jerusalem International Film Festival. The film highlights the experiences of Russian Jews who immigrated to Israel over the past decade. Dana has worked in various capacities on other documentaries and short films, has served as a lecturer, and has earned a number of awards and scholarships for her work.

Read more: Schusterman Visiting Artist Program.

Ophir Awards Ceremony Scheduled for September 21, 2010

Written by: Ayelet Dekel

The Ophir Awards ceremony will take place on September 21, 2010 at the Jerusalem Theatre, and will be broadcast the same night on Channel 1, at 21:30. This year, for the first time, the program will also be broadcast in HD format, on 511.

Prizes are awarded in 14 categories: 13 for feature films and one prize is awarded for Best Documentary. In light of the abundance of quality documentaries and the growing interest in this genre, the imbalance in focus is something that should be reconsidered in this writer’s opinion.

The film selected as Best Feature will represent Israel in the competition for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards on February 27, 2011.

Actor, director and producer Zeev Revah will receive a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony.

The ceremony will be attended by Minister of Culture and Sport Limor Livnat, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and Chairman of the Israeli Film Council Michah Harish.

Source: MidnightEast

Turning out film talent in Tel Aviv | culture

Israeli film has achieved a significant international presence in recent years. What's less well known is that many of the award-winning directors, writers and producers are graduates of Tel Aviv University's (TAU) Film and Television School....(read the rest of this article)

Jewcy presents Holy Rollers on August 28

The Jewcy Film Series presents Holy Rollers at the Southside Works Cinema on Saturday, August 28 at 9pm.  Tickets are $5 for those 35 or under and $10 for those over 35.

After party for ages 21-35 ONLY 

Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe, 2518 E. Carson Street

OTB will provide vegetarian food and live music. 

Your first drink is on us!

Click here for tickets or call the JFilm Ticketline at (412) 992-5203. 

This film is rated R for drug use and brief sexual situations.

Welcome to our new blog!

JFilm: The Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum welcomes you to our new blog!  Please check in often to learn about upcoming events, year round programming, and news about Jewish films and filmmakers.

JFilm's mission is to promote community dialogue and cultural understanding by presenting year-round film programs and guest artists from around the world.
JFilm explores and celebrates Jewish culture.
JFilm actively reaches out to people of all races and religions, ages and abilities by programming films with a broad range of themes and by collaborating with a diversity of community and educational organizations.

Our programs include:

The Jewcy Film Series

Geared towards young adults between the ages of 21 - 35, the Jewcy Film Series creates a fun, social setting around a night at the movies.  We choose films that will appeal to a young audience (think hip and edgy).  A catered after party allows the Jewcy crowd to mix, mingle and discuss the movie. 

Past events include:
Lost Islands at the Southside Works with catered after party at the Wine Loft.
Ajami, screened at the Istanbul Cafe in Lawrenceville with catered after party.
Strangers screened under the Schenley Park tent accompanied by popcorn, candy, and drinks.
Breaking Upwards, screened at Pittsburgh Filmmakers with catering by Tallulah's and guest filmmakers/actors Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones in attendance.

To find out more about Jewcy, visit our Facebook page or the Jewcy web page!

Reel to Real
Reel to Real is a great program that brings teens (grades 9 – 12) to assisted living facilities to watch a film with resident seniors. After the film, the teens lead a discussion with the seniors. The purpose of the program is to bridge the age gap between these 2 groups through film and conversation.
To find out more about Reel to Real, visit our Facebook group!

Teen Screen
Offers free weekday film screenings for school groups.  Teachers receive a preparatory guide and a talk back session follows each film.  Over 6,000 students have attended Teen Screen since its inception in 2005.
Learn more about Teen Screen here!

Film Festival
2011 marks the 18th annual Pittsburgh Jewish Israeli Film Festival.  Each year our festival committee previews hundreds of films from around the globe to bring an interesting and engaging selection of Jewish films to Pittsburgh.