With a Few Days Left to Fest, and to Vote, a Few Favorites Emerge

Following its 2020 Israeli Oscar wins for best actor, director, supporting actor and script, “Here We Are” has been winning a slew of Audience Awards at festivals around the country , most recently at last week’s prestigious Boston Israeli Film Festival. Based on our own current audience ratings, the touching Israeli family drama may continue its sweep.

Festival audiences are encouraged to rate all our films and programs. Stay tuned for the announcement of our own Audience Award at the Festival Wrap-up Party on Tuesday, March 23 at 5 pm. Festival attendees are invited to share their thoughts about all the films at this free post-festival Zoom conversation.

In second place behind “Here We Are” is a film by another Israeli filmmaker, Dani Menkin, an LA-based director whose entertaining yet substantive films are in English. “Picture of His Life” is a visually stunning portrait of a wildlife photographer that explores the theme of trauma and healing that runs through many of the festival’s international features, including “Those Who Remained,” “Born in Jerusalem and Still Alive,” and “Thou Shalt Not Hate.”

The Q&A with Dani Menkin is our third highest rated program so far. If you missed this talkback, a recording of our discussion of Picture of His Life and Aulcie will be sent to everyone who purchased a ticket to either film after the festival. The same is true for all our talkbacks, with the exception of Here We Are and Those Who Remained due to technical problems.

If you missed our two live shorts programs with curator Judith Dack that opened the festival, recordings of the films and discussion are also now available for purchase. Program One is currently our fourth most popular program. CLICK HERE

In the final days of the festival, we also offer two live programs with our tribute guest Pierre Sauvage, including his work-in-progress focusing on Holocaust rescuer Varian Fry. The festival culminates with an in-depth conversation with the filmmaker covering all his work and highlighting “Weapons of the Spirit” on Sunday at 3 pm. The live talkback is available to anyone who has watched any of his five films.

The live Q&A with author Martin Goldsmith for “Winter Journey” at 2 pm Thursday is one I have been eagerly anticipating, partly because the film struck such a chord with me as a child of survivors born after the war in an art-oriented, music-loving family. The classical music radio host has much to say about his fascinating family history and the strange fate his parents shared with many Jewish musicians in the Third Reich.

Presenting the festival virtually has been quite a learning experience, and I appreciate the patience and loyalty of all our participants. The ability to invite such an amazing group of guest speakers was certainly the greatest advantage of the virtual platform.

I hope to see you in the coming days and look forward to discussing our provocative films and the festival experience with you on Tuesday.