2024 Edmonton Jewish Film Festival program

by Adar Shafran

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors & Supporters

Major Sponsors

Opening Night Sponsor

Friends of the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival

Title Film Sponsors

Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs

Consulate General of Israel for Toronto & Western Canada

Corey Johnson of Scotia Private Investment Counsel

Friends of the Galilee Panhandle

Holocaust Education Committee of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton

Servus Credit Union

Israeli Teen Visit Sponsors

Evelyn & Norm Schayer

Media Sponsors

PosterTech Group

Short Sponsors

Edmonton Screen Industries Office

Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta

National Council of Jewish Women of Canada

Talya & Steve Shafir & Stacey & Erin Wright

Producers

Aviv Israeli Folk Dance Association

Suzanne Davis & Ted Croll

Karen Farkas & Clyde Hurtig

Judy & Benaron Gleiberman

Roberta & Norm Hanson

Karen & Abe Hering

Jeanette Hoffman

Miriam & Jerry Katz

Valda Levin

Lynn & Stephen Mandel

Catherine Miller & Len Dolgoy

Michele & Josh Miller

Maggie & John Mitchell

Francie & Jon Nobleman

Carol & Ron Ritch

Sari Schiff & Abe Peliowski

Debby & Marshall Shoctor

Anita Sky & Howard Davidow

Debbie & Howie Sniderman

Esther Starkman

Pauline Uretsky

Associate Producers

Marcia Bercov

Miriam Cooper

Michelle Dinner

Judy Goldsand

Penny & Phil Hardin

Taryn & Trevor Horwitz

Mati & Avi Isackson

Lesley Jacobson

Susan & Leon Kagan

Sam Koplowicz

Nora & Lawrie Lyman

Lisa Miller & Farrel Shadlyn

Laurie & Chuck Mozeson

Karen Oshry & Ellery Lew

Yossi Ovics

Reeva Parker

Lauren Gayle Pearson

Lisa Redmond & Ron Sorokin

Elaine & Ram Romanovsky

Rowena & Jack Schwartzberg

Perry Segal

Esther Sklofsky

Natalie & Ken Soroka

Heather & David Vickar

Sue & Alvin Winestock

Naomi Wolfman

Connie & Danny Zalmanovitz

Supporters

Ruth & Ben Coppens

Florie & David Axler

Susan & Glen Binnington

The EJFF also extends thanks to those whose names are not listed because their donations were received after program publication.

MESSAGE FROM Sam Koplowicz

2024 Festival Chair

It is my honour and indeed a great pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Edmonton Jewish Film Festival, the 28th iteration of this showcase of some of the best Jewish-themed films from around the world. This festival results from over eight months of careful, occasionally intense, deliberations by a dedicated committee of movie lovers. It starts with searching 50 to 60 or more titles, and gradually the list gets boiled down to the eight features that you will see. Sometimes, some of my own personal favourites don’t make the final cut, but the process ensures that you, the patrons, can view films that have earned their place on the roster by being, among other attributes, skillfully crafted, interesting, entertaining, emotionally engaging, very well picked apart, and in the end found worthy.

As always, my sincere thanks go out to all our supporters: the sponsors, the advertisers, and above all, the participants who attend either in person or online. This year we are again going “hybrid” with a 50/50 format of four live, in-person screenings and four online offerings. We will hold two of our in-person events at the venerable Metro Cinema in the Garneau Theatre, and two at the charming and comfortable Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park. I hope to see you there.

We have incorporated several interesting, clever short subjects in the program, available online for the duration of the festival. Take the time to check them out. And don’t forget to take part in the additional special events included in the schedule, such as a Fiddler on the Roof Sing-along and a Q and A session with young Canadian filmmakers Shaina Silver-Baird and Daniel Rosenberg after their film Less Than Kosher.

I really like the array of films we have chosen for this year’s lineup. There is only a single documentary, but a very special one, about the life and career of the brilliant Gene Wilder. The seven other offerings are all narrative films, representing a diverse variety of countries of origin and a range of historical and contemporary stories and genres. If there is a single theme here, it is that it is good to enjoy being at the movies!

Sam

Less Than Kosher playing May 30 at 7 p.m.

MESSAGE FROM Erin Wright

P2G Chair

As Partnership2Gether (P2G) local committee chair I find it helpful to remind myself periodically of our committee’s mission. As noted last year, it is to serve as the single most visible connection that our community has with Israel. As implied in the title, P2G is a partnership between a consortium of smaller Jewish communities in Canada and the Galilee Panhandle (Etzbah HaGalil). The partnership’s mission has three major components: 1) To create a ‘Living Bridge’ (Gesher Chai) between the people of the Israeli and Canadian communities, 2) To support youth and education in the region, and 3) To support capacity building in the region.

The last seven months have had a devastating impact on our partner communities. Three of them have been completely evacuated and are living dispersed in hotels around the country. Two have been able to remain in place but they too are feeling the effects, physical risk as well as anxiety, of the unceasing barrage from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

In February 2024, Stacey Leavitt-Wright, Steve Shafir, Shane Asbell, and myself travelled to Israel as part of the Coast-to-Coast solidarity mission. In addition to visiting the communities of the Gaza envelope we were able to visit several communities in the southern part of our partner region. We met with evacuees staying at the same hotel in Haifa (Kibbutz Dan) as well as visiting Yesod HaMa’ala, Kfar Blum, and Galil Elion. We participated in community support activities including painting mobile bomb shelters. During these visits we had opportunities to talk with the local community members (and their delightful children) about the impact these seven months have had on their morale and mental health. Our experiences were at once sobering and inspiring.

On a positive note, we are now on the cusp of being able to return to some of our pre-pandemic type of exchange activities. Thanks to a Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) North America-wide initiative, called Campers2Gether, we will have the opportunity to welcome to Alberta 17 Grade 8–9 students and three chaperones from Metula. The kids will be visiting Camp BB Riback as well as the partner communities in Edmonton and Calgary. These experiences will give the kids from Metula some respite from the ongoing bombardment and displacement and the impact on their mental health. This Alberta-wide partnership speaks to the strong collaboration of the Calgary and Edmonton Jewish Federations as well as Camp BB and would not have been possible without the unwavering and generous support of the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival. I would like to formally acknowledge, with great appreciation, how the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival, its sponsors, advertisers, and donors continue to support the P2G initiative. The proceeds of this rich cultural event continue to assist projects within our partnership region as well as the reinvigorated Gesher Chai activities outlined above.

P2G Chair Erin Wright visiting Yesud HaMa’ala.

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER OF ALBERTA

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2024 Edmonton Jewish Film Festival

Alberta is a province of rich diversity that makes this one of the greatest places in the world to live, work and raise a family. I am grateful for the contributions of the Jewish community, and I appreciate this opportunity for Edmontonians, and all Albertans, to explore Jewish culture, history and ideas through film . I hope everyone enjoys gathering in person and online to take in some of the very best in Jewish-themed cinema from around the world.

Thank you to the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for once again m aking the EJFF an exciting part of the arts in our capital region. I know there are many people involved in putting an event like this together, and I am grateful for your commitment and hard work

Best wishes for another successful festival!

Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

When you walk into the Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton, you’ll find a picture on the wall of Jules and Jay Allen – the two Jewish brothers who started their own film theatre empire in Canada. By 1920, the brothers own 60 theatres across Canada, making them the largest chain in the country. So it is delightfully fitting that the recreated Capitol Theatre should be hosting part of this year’s Edmonton Jewish Film Festival –reminding us of the enduring love affair between Jews and cinema.

I’m particularly delighted to see a sing-a-long screening of Fiddler on the Roof on the eclectic progam — since I played Yente the Matchmaker, in the 1982 production of Fiddler at Ross Sheppard Composite High School. Fair warning – I still remember all the words!

Mazel tov all the festival programmers and organizers who make the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival our own wonderful tradition.

The Honourable Paula Simons Independent Alberta Senator

Hon. Randy Boissonnault Member of Parliament | Député Edmonton Centre

| Edmonton-Centre

May 21, 2024

Dear Honoured Guests,

On behalf of the Government of Canada, and as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 28th annual Jewish Film Festival in Edmonton. For almost three decades, this event has been a celebration of resilience, creativity, and enduring spirits.

Film brings people closer together by sharing a story that transcends traditional barriers like language and culture. Through this art style, the Jewish Film Festival offers us a window into the rich history, traditions, and contemporary experiences of the Jewish people. From tales of triumph to reflections on heritage; each film offers a unique perspective that enriches the bonds between us all.

My sincere congratulations to Jewish Federation of Edmonton, filmmakers, and everyone involved for your passionate efforts in uplifting Jewish talents. Your dedication to promoting cultural exchange and creative expression is a testament to bridging the divide and building stronger ties across Edmonton’s diverse communities.

Thank you to all those attending and I hope you enjoy this wonderful event!

Thank you. Merci. Hiy-hiy.

Ottawa Suite 556, Confederation Bldg

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Tel: 613-992-4524

Fax: 613-943-0044

Edmonton

Suite 202, 10235-124 St

Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1P9

Tel: 780-442-1888

Fax: 780-442-1891

Ottawa Pièce 556, Édifice de la Confederation

Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6

Tél : 613-992-4524

Téléc : 613-943-0044

randy.boissonnault@parl.gc.ca

Edmonton

Pièce 202, 10235-124e rue

Edmonton (Alberta) T5N 1P9

Tél : 780-442-1888

Téléc : 780-442-1891

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, P.C., M.P.

As Member of Parliament for Edmonton Riverbend, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 28 Annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival.

My riding, and the City of Edmonton as a whole, have long been home to communities rich in diversity and culture. Since 1996, the EJFF has helped play a major role in supporting this heritage through film. Film offers the ability to create and educate, to explore both ourselves and those around us. In sharing stories of Jewish experience from around the world, I hope attendees are able to immerse themselves in the culture, stories, and resilience of the Jewish people, finding meaning, commonality, and understanding.

I want to thank all involved in organizing this event. To the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, to all volunteers, and most importantly, to all attendees: Your dedication is crucial to fostering this festival’s legacy of success!

Sincerely

Matt Jeneroux, MP Edmonton Riverbend

As the Member of Parliament for Edmonton West I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 28th Annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival.

The Edmonton Jewish Film Festival has become a cornerstone event, not only for the Jewish community but for all those who appreciate the art of storytelling and the power of film to inspire, educate, and provoke thought. It is a testament to the vibrant spirit and unwavering commitment of the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who work tirelessly to make this festival a success year after year.

As we come together to celebrate the magic of cinema and the beauty of Jewish culture, let us also take this opportunity to reaffirm our shared values of tolerance, understanding, and respect for one another. In a world that is often divided by differences, events like the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival remind us of the importance of coming together as a community to celebrate our shared humanity.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for their dedication and hard work in bringing this festival to life once again. Your efforts are truly commendable, and I am confident that this year’s festival will be a resounding success.

To all the filmmakers, actors, and artists whose talent and creativity grace the screen, thank you for sharing your stories with us and for enriching our lives through the magic of cinema.

To everyone attending the 28th Annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival, I wish you an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, tears, and moments of inspiration. May the films we see and the conversations we have inspire us to build a more inclusive and compassionate world for future generations.

Sincerely,

Kelly McCauley MP Edmonton West

A Message from Rachel Notley

Congratulations on the 28th Annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival! I’m so grateful that our city has a festival to showcase the vibrant tapestry of Jewish culture and storytelling through cinema.

It is undeniable that film has the capacity to enlighten, to inspire, to challenge, and to educate. This year, in the wake of the atrocities of October 7th, the audiences will look to the rich and diverse program of talented Jewish filmmakers to bring communities together to heal and to help us all connect through the power of film. In a year when rising antisemitism is destabilizing many of our public spaces, the need to empathize, break down barriers and challenge our assumptions has never been greater. Film festivals like the EJFF provide an opportunity for us to experience a range of perspectives and to deepen our understanding of the many challenges we are facing.

So, to those attending this year’s festival, I encourage you to immerse yourselves in the powerful and insightful stories that await you and make some wonderful discoveries.

Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers who have contributed so much to this vibrant festival. On behalf of the Alberta NDP Caucus, I wish you a successful festival!

Rachel Notley

LEADER OF ALBERTA’S NDP

Congratulations on 28 years! It’s an honour to welcome you to the fantastic Edmonton Jewish Film Festival (EJFF).

This festival allows us to come together to celebrate the rich Jewish cultural heritage through an impressive lineup of Jewish-themed productions from around the world.

Film allows us to explore experiences and learn about complex experiences through visual storytelling.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers of the EJFF for their dedication to this event.

I hope you enjoy the festival, have time to connect with the community, and feel inspired and enriched by this unique cinematic experience.

Sarah Hoffman, MLA for Edmonton-Glenora

The Edmonton Jewish Film Festival has a proud tradition of sharing Jewish culture through film. As Edmontonians from across our city gather to watch movies, this film festival gives them the opportunity to learn about the experiences and stories of Judaism, one of the world’s oldest cultures and religions.

As an elected official, I believe in the power of storytelling to remind us of our shared humanity and to build bridges across cultures. Art, especially film, has the capacity to unite us. Whether it’s Fiddler on the Roof — the story of a Jewish father and his three daughters amidst the growing threat of antisemitism — or Less than Kosher — a comedy which offers a window into modern Jewish life in Toronto — these films celebrate Jewish heritage, preserve cultural stories and create an opportunity for learning through storytelling.

That’s the power of film and it’s why I’m so thrilled to be supporting this Festival. Enjoy these movies and partake in the important tradition of sharing stories to promote greater understanding.

Rakhi Pancholi MLA, Edmonton-Whitemud

As the MLA for Edmonton-City Centre, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the 28th annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival.

Film has always been one of my favorite forms of storytelling — a complex art that mixes the raw emotive power of acting with visual artistry and sound design to create a whole much greater than the sum of its parts. Few media have such a range of possibilities to explore the human story and, in so doing, speak directly to our minds and hearts.

Therein lies the power of the EJFF — a powerful showcase and celebration of the work of Jewish filmmakers as they tell the diverse stories of their communities across the globe. Work that, this year, is more important than ever.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote that, “You defeat fear by joy. You conquer terror by collective celebration.” And the EJFF provides an opportunity to celebrate the complexity, beauty and vibrancy of the culture and identity Jewish people have fought to preserve and continue to explore and evolve. Stories of their enduring resilience in the face of centuries of persecution, prejudice and oppression.

So thank you to everyone who for 28 years has given their time and energy to make this festival possible. May this year’s edition be even better than the last.

Mazal tov!

David Shepherd MLA, Edmonton-City Centre

Message from His Worship Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

On behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton, welcome to the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival!

This festival is a celebration of our Jewish community and an opportunity to introduce all Edmontonians to Jewish culture and history Through the creation and enjoyment of art, we come together to learn more about one another and ourselves as people This is especially true in cinema

This festival is entering its 28th year now, and I commend the team at the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for continuing to bring this beloved gathering to our local theatres. Every year, Edmontonians look forward to watching the diverse stories come to life on the screen.

I thank the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for their continuous efforts to engage with the community and create a more inclusive city The City of Edmonton is proud to support the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival

Please remember to silence your phones for the shows!

As the City of Edmonton Councillor representing ward pihêsiwin, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 28th Annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival (EJFF).

Since 1966, the EJFF has played a critical part in showcasing Jewish culture and storytelling. I am thrilled this wonderful festival is back for another year. The EJFF allows us to have a deeper understanding of Jewish history and culture. Edmonton is a diverse City, and festivals such as this one creates an environment of accepting different cultures and perspectives.

I would like to thank the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for their efforts in making this festival a success. A special thanks to the organizers, volunteers and sponsors who continue to support this festival.

I hope everyone enjoys the shows at the festival!

Tim Cartmell, P.Eng. Councillor, Ward pihêsiwin

It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to the 28th Edmonton Jewish Film Festival.

As a lifelong devotee to the arts, I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to have a bedrock institution like the EJFF in our City’s festival rotation, offering a unique opportunity for all Edmontonians to familiarize themselves with Jewish-themed cinema.

My immense thanks to The Jewish Federation of Edmonton for their continued hard work, and on behalf of The City of Edmonton and my colleagues on City Council, enjoy the festival!

Sarah Hamilton Councillor, Ward sipiwiyiniwak

Message from Councillor Keren Tang

On behalf of Edmonton City Council, welcome to the 28th annual Edmonton Jewish Film Festival!

Edmonton is proud to be home to cultures and ethnicities from around the world, and being able to share and celebrate one another serves only to strengthen our communities

The Edmonton Jewish Film Festival is an exciting celebration of Jewish films and people, and a wonderful opportunity to introduce all generations of Edmontonians to Jewish culture and history.

Through the creation and enjoyment of art, we come together to learn more about one another and ourselves as people This is especially true in cinema.

I thank the organizers and volunteers of the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival for their continued commitment to showcasing the work of Jewish filmmakers Your efforts make Edmonton a more vibrant, inclusive and welcoming place to call home

Enjoy the festival!

Thank you to our 2024 Festival Committee

The Edmonton Jewish Film Festival appreciates the hard work of our dedicated Committee!

Sam Koplowicz, Festival Chair

Lauren Baram

Karen Farkas

Neil Grahn

Joe Hartfeil

Karen Hering

Valda Levin

Joel Magalnick

Jared Paull

Cynthia Pertman

Laura Schechter

Sari Schiff

Dasha Skamlova

Pauline Uretsky

Theresa Wynnyk

Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO, Jewish Federation of Edmonton

Susan Schiffman, Festival Coordinator

Tammy Vineberg, Marketing and Communications

Mischa Robuliak, Administrative Support

We are very grateful to these talented individuals for putting so much time and so much heart and soul into this festival. Without them it simply could not happen.

Thanks also to the members of the P2G Committee and to Earl Parker Committee members Mark Dolgoy, Neil Grahn, and Jared Paull.

2024 Earl Parker Award for Jewish Film

Please join us on Opening Night, Tuesday, May 21, to share in the exciting announcement of this year’s winner.

The Earl Parker Award is a prize of $1,500, given annually by the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival, to advance Jewish themes in film and video. The prize is named in honour of Earl Parker, an Edmonton lawyer who was known for his love of Jewish culture.

RECENT PAST WINNERS OF THE EARL PARKER AWARD:

David Ivanchikov | 2023

KlezKanada (pictured) | 2022 & 2019

Malka Martz-Oberlander | 2021 & 2020

2024 Festival Feature Film Schedule

Tuesday, May 21 | 7 p.m.

Running on Sand

Israel, 104 minutes

Sponsor’s Reception at 5:30 p.m.

In-person | Metro Cinema/Garneau Theatre

Wednesday, May 22 | 10 a.m. – Midnight March 68

Poland, 115 minutes Virtual

Thursday, May 23 | 10 a.m. – Midnight

Martha Liebermann: A Stolen Life

Germany, 88 minutes

Virtual

Sunday, May 26 | 2 p.m. | Matinee

Fiddler on the Roof Sing-along

USA, 181 minutes + 10 minute intermission

With special guest Michele Miller

In-person | Metro Cinema/Garneau Theatre

Monday, May 27 | 10 a.m. – Midnight

The Shadow of the Day

Italy, 125 minutes

Virtual

Tuesday, May 28 | 7 p.m.

Remembering Gene Wilder

USA, 92 minutes

In-person | Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton Park

Wednesday, May 29 | 10 a.m. – Midnight

The Other Widow

Israel, 83 minutes

Virtual

Thursday, May 30 | 7 p.m.

Less Than Kosher

Canada, 67 minutes

Featuring Q & A with lead actress/co-writer

Shaina Silver-Baird and Director Daniel Rosenberg.

Also showing the short film The Anne Frank Gift Shop

In-person | Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton Park

2024 Festival Virtual + In-Person Shorts Program

Shorts are virtual and available to watch online free of charge from May 22 – May 30, unless otherwise indicated.

May 22 – 30 | Virtual The Basketball Game

Canada, 5 minutes

Animated

May 22 – 30 | Virtual The Boy

Israel, 25 minutes

May 22 – 30 | Virtual Swimming with Wings

Netherlands, 10 minutes

Animated

May 22 – 30 | Virtual Waves Apart

USA, 25 minutes

May 22 – 30 | Virtual Your Place in Line

Israel, 7 minutes

Animated

Thursday, May 30 | 7 p.m. The Anne Frank Gift Shop

USA, 15 minutes

Screened with feature film Less than Kosher

The Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park

Running on Sand (2023)

Tuesday, May 21, 7 p.m. at Metro Cinema Garneau Theatre

Runtime: 95 minutes

Country: Israel

Director: Adar Shafran

Genre: Comedy-drama

Aumari, a young Eritrean refugee living in Israel, is about to be deported back to his home country. After a spontaneous escape attempt at the airport, he is mistaken for a Nigerian soccer star who is supposed to arrive the same day. Aumari seizes the opportunity to change his identity and pose as the new key acquisition for team ‘Maccabi Netanya’. Despite his lack of soccer talent, Aumari is able to cover-up and heal the divisions of his struggling team, while building a tender romantic bond with the charmingly unconventional daughter of the team’s owner. Though funny and light-hearted, the film delivers a heartfelt message about the importance of treating people with respect and dignity, no matter where they come from.

FILM SPONSOR: FRIENDS OF THE EDMONTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

March 68 (2022)

Wednesday, May 22, 10 a.m. – Midnight to stream online

Runtime: 95 minutes

Country: Poland

Director: Krzysztof Lang

Genre: Drama

Two young students — Hania (Vanessa Aleksander, Wartime Girls) and Janek — meet and fall in love in the midst of social turmoil and Jewish discrimination in 1960’s Warsaw. While the young lovers are uninterested in politics, they find themselves unable to avoid it when Hania’s father and mother lose their jobs due to the antisemitic purge and are forced to emigrate. Hania does not want to leave Janek, and the couple soon participate in a protest rally at the university where they discover freedom comes at a high price.

Why the Festival Committee chose this film

I really liked this film because it shared a moment in history that we may not all be familiar with, showing us how antisemitism in Poland in the ‘60s was right at the surface and affected the population so negatively

— Joel Magalnick, Committee Member

FILM SPONSOR: FRIENDS OF THE GALILEE PANHANDLE

Martha Liebermann: A Stolen Life (2022)

Thursday, May 23, 10 a.m. – Midnight to stream online

Runtime: 89 minutes

Country: Germany

Director: Stefan Bühling

Genre: Drama

Berlin, 1943, during World War II. Martha Liebermann, an elderly upperclass Jewish woman, faces the decision of her life: should the widow of the world-famous and revered painter Max Liebermann continue to try to obtain an exit permit from the Nazis or, with the help of a resistance group, should she flee to Switzerland?

Why the Festival Committee chose this film

This story of artist Max Liebermann’s widow is beautifully crafted and brilliantly acted. A gorgeous film. Suspenseful and surprising.

— Terri Wynnyk, Committee Member

FILM SPONSOR: HOLOCAUST EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF EDMONTON

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Sunday, May 26, 2 p.m. at Metro Cinema/Garneau Theatre

Runtime: 181 minutes

Country: USA

Director: Norman Jewison

Genre: Musical

Exploding with energy, warm humor, and gripping drama, the film is considered one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. A story of life in a Jewish village (shtetl) in Czarist Russia in 1905, it is an emotional ride from the rousing opening number Tradition to the closing and heartfelt song Anatevka. Directed by the great Canadian, Norman Jewison, with unforgettable songs by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, you will find it so familiar and wonderful that it will be impossible not to sing-along.

The audience is invited to come in costume and sing-along during the film. Special guest Michele Miller will lead the sing-along. Free tickets for kids!

FILM SPONSOR: SERVUS CREDIT UNION

The Shadow of the Day (2022)

Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. – Midnight to stream online

Runtime: 125 minutes

Country: Italy

Director: Giuseppe Piccioni

Genre: Drama

A dramatic love story set in a picturesque town in rural Italy after the introduction of the racial laws (1938). Luciano, a Fascist-abiding restaurant owner, believes he can live life in his restaurant according to his own set of rules. However, everything changes when Anna, a girl with a dangerous secret, starts to work at the restaurant.

Why the Festival Committee chose this film

This is a well-crafted film that told a story I was not familiar with and told that story well. I felt the heartache and the fear. This is a great pick for the Edmonton Jewish Film Festival audience.

— Neil Grahn, Committee Member

Remembering Gene Wilder (2023)

Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m. at Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton Park

Runtime: 90 minutes

Country: USA

Director: Ron Frank

Genre: Documentary

This loving tribute to Gene Wilder celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles, from his first collaboration with Mel Brooks in The Producers, to the title role in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, to his inspired onscreen partnership with Richard Pryor in Silver Streak. It is illustrated by a host of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes, home movies, narration from Wilder’s audiobook memoir, and interviews with a roster of brilliant friends and collaborators like Mel Brooks and Alan Alda. Remembering Gene Wilder shines a light on an essential performer, writer, director, and all-around mensch.

FILM SPONSOR: COREY JOHNSON OF SCOTIA PRIVATE INVESTMENT COUNSEL

The Other Widow (2022)

Wednesday, May 29, 10 a.m. – Midnight to stream online

Runtime: 83 minutes

Country: Israel

Director: Ma’ayan Rypp

Genre: Drama

A dark comedic drama about Ella, a 34-year-old theatre costume designer who experiences the sudden death of her married lover. As she begins to frequent his Shiva and observe the life that was forbidden to her until now, Ella will get too close to his mourning family.

Why the Festival Committee chose this film

A very well told story. Though sad, I liked the freshness of the subject matter and the further evidence of the great story telling power of the Israeli film industry.

Joel Magalnick, Committee Member

FILM SPONSOR: CONSULATE GENERAL OF ISRAEL TORONTO AND WESTERN CANADA

Less than Kosher (2023)

Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. at Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton Park

Runtime: 65 minutes

Country: Canada

Director: Daniel AM Rosenberg

Genre: Comedy

At 20, Viv was a promising young singer. At 30, her failing music career has forced her back into her mother’s basement. But when this self proclaimed Bad Jew lands ass-backwards into a job as a cantor at her family’s synagogue, she’s thrown into a wild ride of illicit affairs, drug trips, tense family drama, self discovery and some serious Jewish bops. It’s “Shiva Baby” meets “A Star is Born.” Modern Jewish wit and Hebrew Electro-Pop.

Join us after the screening for a Q and A with Shaina Silver-Baird, the film’s co-creator and star, and Daniel Rosenberg, the director.

FILM SPONSOR: CENTRE FOR ISRAEL AND JEWISH AFFAIRS

The Anne Frank Gift Shop (2023)

Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m. at Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton Park

Runtime: 15 minutes

Country: USA

Director: Mickey Rapkin

Genre: Drama

Is there a wrong way to talk about the Holocaust? That’s the question at the heart of The Anne Frank Gift Shop, a dark comedy about antisemitism that packs a vital and timely message. When a high-end design firm presents its plans to reimagine the gift shop at The Anne Frank House, the company’s overt appeal to Generation Z sparks a debate about collective trauma, the Holocaust and tote bags. This short will be showing in person before the feature film Less Than Kosher.

FILM SPONSOR: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN OF CANADA

The Basketball Game (2011)

Streaming online from 10 a.m., May 22 – Midnight, May 30

Runtime: 5 minutes

Country: Canada

Director: Hart Snider

Genre: Animated

In 1983, nine-year-old Hart attends Jewish summer camp for the first time, while in nearby Eckville social studies teacher, James Keegstra, makes headlines when it is discovered he’s been teaching antisemitism and Holocaust denial. In the aftermath, the teacher’s former students are invited to Hart’s camp for a picnic and a basketball game. Hart and his campmates are both curious and afraid of what awaits them on the basketball court. Told from Hart’s perspective, The Basketball Game fuses animation, documentary and personal memoir in a poignant and humorous tale of hope and tolerance in the face of fear and stereotypes. Written and directed by Edmonton’s own Hart Snider. This film was provided courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada.

FILM SPONSOR: JEWISH ARCHIVES AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF EDMONTON AND NORTHERN ALBERTA

The Boy (2023)

Streaming online from 10 a.m., May 22 – Midnight, May 30

Runtime: 25 minutes

Country: Israel

Director: Yahav Winner Genre: Drama

Avinoam and Barak, father and son from a Kibbutz bordering the Gaza strip, are forced to deal with another round of rockets and combat, each in their own way. One night, Barak reaches a boiling point and Avinoam is forced to absorb the heat.

Yahav Winner, director of The Boy, was murdered by Hamas terrorists on Saturday, October 7. In the early morning hours, terrorists burst into Yahav’s family bedroom in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Yahav tried with all his strength to block the terrorists, allowing his wife, Shaylee, and their one-month-old daughter, Shaya, to escape. Shortly afterward, Yahav was murdered in cold blood. Shaylee defended baby Shaya, with no food or water, for 27 hours until they were rescued.

FILM SPONSOR: TALYA & STEVE SHAFIR AND STACEY & ERIN WRIGHT

Swimming with Wings (2023)

Streaming online from 10 a.m., May 22 – Midnight, May 30

Runtime: 10 minutes

Country: Netherlands

Director: Daphna Awadish

Genre: Animated

A short animated documentary exploring the immigration experience through the eyes of a little Israeli girl learning how to swim with clothes on in the Netherlands.

Daphna Awadish is a young Israeli filmmaker and illustrator living in Amsterdam. Her films, which explore meanings of home and belonging, have won awards at the Jerusalem Film Festival, the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film, and the AnimaSyros International Animation Festival.

Waves Apart (2022)

Streaming online from 10 a.m., May 22 – Midnight, May 30

Runtime: 25 minutes

Country: USA

Director: Josh Greene

Genre: Documentary

What happens when your passion conflicts with your heritage? This is the question that Josh Greene, director and narrator, asks himself in Waves Apart. After moving from a Chicago Jewish community to a small California surf town, Josh faced bullying and antisemitism as a middle schooler, prompting him to find an escape in surfing. Years later, as a college film student and avid surfer, Josh investigates the antisemitic history of surfing that includes swastikas carved into the first commercially produced surfboards, the German-American bund and Hollywood’s first surf film. He then speaks with Jewish surfing legends Shaun Tomson and Izzy Paskowitz about their own experiences in the water and how they’ve used their spirituality to overcome the hate. Josh personally confronts the hidden underbelly of surfing while discovering new signs of light and community that help combat the darkness of the sport. The film was an official selection in the 2023 Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival.

FILM SPONSOR: EDMONTON SCREEN INDUSTRIES OFFICE

Your Place in Line (2023)

Streaming online from 10 a.m., May 22 – Midnight, May 30

Runtime: 7 minutes

Country: Israel

Directors: Eden Grosman and Noa Gefen

Genre: Animated

After being mistakenly registered as dead, Daphna is going on a journey through the labyrinths of bureaucracy to prove (to the state and to herself) that she is alive.

This short film showcases talented young Israeli filmmakers, Eden Grosman and Noa Gefen. This film was their graduation project at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in 2023.

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