Austin Jewish Film Festival Lineup Revealed

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Jewish Film Festival organizers on Tuesday revealed the full slate of screening for the 2019 iteration of the event next month.

The festival taking place Nov. 2-8 is now in its 17th year highlighting accomplished filmmakers while building cross-cultural alliances throughout the Austin community by building bridges with thoughtful engagement and entertaining audiences through the medium of Jewish films and filmmakers, organizers wrote in a press advisory.

AJFF has also launched a new website at austinjff.org, part of its revised marketing and messaging for the festival with an all-inclusive campaign, “For Jew and You Too.”

“This festival is for everyone, even those who aren't Jewish,” David Finkel, co-director of the festival, said in a prepared statement. “If you love great films and rich storytelling, and are the least bit curious about Jewish culture, come to AJFF. Unlike a bar mitzvah you don’t need a formal invitation. You’re invited! As we say, the festival is ‘For Jew and You Too!’”

With a focus on playfulness and inclusiveness, AJFF has taken a significant step to raise awareness of the festival in Austin and beyond. The “For Jew and You Too” campaign is extending the festival’s reach to attract more people, both within and outside of the Jewish community, officials explained, especially when it comes to targeting a younger audience.

The festival, started in 2002 by David Goldblatt, with Cindy Pinto coming on board soon after, was created to expand the Jewish conversation through the medium of film throughout Central Texas. Both are now on the Executive Board and continue to support the festival, building bridges throughout the community with films that offer thoughtful engagement and entertainment for audiences of all ages. The festival seeks to promote cultural understanding and tolerance while presenting the best Jewish films from the U.S. and around the world. Cynthia Winer and David Finkel, current co-directors of the festival, work with numerous professionals in the community, who generously donate their time and energy.

This year AJFF is featuring a lineup of compelling foreign, independent and U.S. films that promise to both fascinate and inspire, organizers said. Engaging programs and speakers are planned for several of the films. The week-long festivities kick off on Saturday, Nov. 2, with a showing of director Marcus H. Rosenmüller’s film, “The Keeper” and a premiere party at the prestigious Long Center Rollins Theater. All other films will be showcased at the Regal Arbor @ Great Hills. Badges, passes and tickets as well as details of all films and programs are available on the AJFF website at austinjff.org.

AJFF Features

Opening Night Film

The Keeper

Director: Marcus H. Rosenmüller

Ask Dr. Ruth – free screening

Director: Ryan White

Beyond the Bolex

Director: Alyssa Bolsey

There will be a Skype program following the film with director Alyssa Bolsey

Golda’s Balcony

Director: Scott Schwartz

Q&A following the film with producer David Fishelson

Hidden Face

Director: Eyal Datz

Q&A following the film with film subjects Dr. Baruch and Shira Schmidt

Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People

Director: Oren Rudavsky

The Mover

Director: Davis Simanis, Jr.

The Mover has just been announced as the Latvian entry for the Foreign Language Oscar

On the Map

Director: Dani Menkin

Q&A and live auction of basketball signed by film subjects following the film with filmmaker Dani Menkin

The Other Story

Director: Avi Neshor

Picture of His Life

Director: Dani Menkin & Yonatan Nir

Q&A following the film with filmmaker Dani Menkin

Shoelaces – A 2018 AJFF Audience Favorite

Director: Jacob Goldwasser

The Unorthodox

Director: Eliran Malka

Upside Down Tree

Director: Ariel Cohen

Closing Night Film

Tel Aviv on Fire

Director: Sameh Zoabi

There will be a program following the film with co-screenwriter Dan Kleinman

Tel Aviv on Fire will be Luxembourg's entry for the Foreign Language Oscar

View the AJFF Shorts Here

Watch for upcoming news about the launch of the AJFF Monthly Film Series in partnership with Shalom Austin, coming in early 2020. For new announcements and information on how to attend, visit austinjff.org and follow the festival on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram #AustinJFF19 and #4JewAndYou2.

ABOUT AUSTIN JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The Austin Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) seeks to promote cultural understanding and tolerance among the Greater Austin community, encourage artistic development, and entertain our audiences through the medium of Jewish film. AJFF presents the best Jewish films from the U.S. and around the world to entertain and educate, and provides complementary programs to enhance the cinematic experience.

For inquiries, interviews, images and logos, and to attend this year’s Austin Jewish

Film Festival as press, please contact Kristen O’Brien, press@austinjff.org