ABOUT CJFF
The Carmel Jewish Film Festival is now entering its tenth year. Through the power and artistry of cinema, the festival seeks to engage the greater community in meaningful dialogue on important issues of our day. While informed by a uniquely Jewish sensibility, our films communicate themes and messages with universal appeal to a wide audience drawn from the Monterey area and beyond. Our festival's accompanying programs further engage mind and heart through discussion and social interaction. We hope that our festival will help bridge cultural and religious differences and contribute to solidarity and peace.
WHAT'S NEW FOR CJFF 2019?
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Scholar-in-Residence program
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New screen at Congregation Beth Israel (Yay! You can finally see the subtitles!)
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New event partners: Center for Spiritual Awakening; Center for the Blue Economy at Middlebury Institute of
International Studies at Monterey; The Village Project, Inc. -
New venue in Pacific Grove at the Center for Spiritual Awakening
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Many exciting new programs and panels with filmmakers, film subjects, local scholars, politicians,
and clergy -
Partnership with Monterey Unified School District to make a film available to students
CJFF WELCOMES OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
Introducing Roberta Grossman, Scholar-in-Residence
The CJFF is pleased to announce our first Scholar-in-Residence in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel. Roberta Grossman has directed films shown previously at CJFF, including Hava Nagilah: The Movie and Above and Beyond. Roberta will speak at Congregation Beth Israel on Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2. To learn more about Roberta and the topics she will address, please click here.
March 2 Opening Night to Feature Reception, Music,
and Q & A with President of Laemmle Theaters
Saturday, March 2, Carmel High School Center for the Performing Arts: 6:30 p.m. reception / 7:30 p.m. film
The evening will kick off CJFF 2019 with music by Carmel High School orchestra musicians and a buffet of appetizers and desserts. Laemmle is the little-known story of Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Pictures and the modern Hollywood film industry. Following this documentary, there will be a Q & A with Greg Laemmle, the grandnephew of Carl Laemmle. To learn more about Greg Laemmle, please click here.
Award-winning Filmmaker to Participate in Q & A on March 3
Sunday, March 3, Carmel High School Center for the Performing Arts: 2 p.m. reception / 3 p.m. film / Q & A follows
We are fortunate to have filmmaker Roberta Grossman at our festival to discuss her latest film, Who Will Write Our History. This award-winning documentary tells the story of a secret band of journalists, scholars, and community leaders in the Warsaw Ghetto who fought the Nazis with pen and paper. Rarely seen footage and dramatizations transport us inside the Ghetto.
CJFF Partners with the Center for Spiritual Awakening
Wednesday, March 6, Center for Spiritual Awakening, Pacific Grove: 7 p.m. film / reception follows
The CJFF is pleased to partner with the Center for Spiritual Awakening to show the documentary Itzhak about the world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. A reception will follow the film. Please click on the VENUES page for a map and directions.
Film Subject and Filmmaker to Attend CJFF
Saturday, March 9, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey:
6:30 p.m. reception / 7:30 p.m. film / Q & A follows
The CJFF is proud to present an exclusive pre-screening of Picture of His Life, a film about world-famous wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum's quest to photograph a polar bear while in the ocean. This exciting docudrama is directed by award-winning Dani Menkin and Yonaton Nir. We welcome as co-sponsor the Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Amos Nachoum and Dani Menkin will participate in a Q & A following the film. A reception will precede the film. To learn more about Dani and Amos, please click here.
CJFF & The Village Project Present An Act of Defiance
Sunday, March 10, Irvine Auditorium, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey:
2 p.m. reception / 3 p.m. film / panel discussion follows
CJFF welcomes The Village Project, Inc. as a co-sponsor of An Act of Defiance, a historical drama and political nail-biter about ten political activists, including Nelson Mandela and his inner circle of Black and Jewish supporters, during the Apartheid era. A panel discussion with Mel Mason of The Village Project, Inc., Monterey Mayor Clyde Roberson, and Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum will follow the film. For more information on our panelists, click here.
A Night of Short Films Features Filmmaker Karen
Hantman and Artistic Director Ludovica Isidori
Tuesday, March 12, Congregation Beth Israel, Carmel: 7 p.m. films / Q & A follows
This evening features genres from drama to comedy with the intention of stimulating discussion. A Q & A with Keren Hantman, filmmaker for Masks On and Cinematographer, Ludovica Isidori, will follow the last film. To learn more about Keren and Ludovica, please click here.
A "Taste of India" Sets Stage for Closing Night Film
Sunday, March 17, Congregation Beth Israel, Carmel:
5:30 p.m. reception / 6:30 film / free dessert reception follows
Shalom Bollywood reveals the story of the 2000-year-old Indian Jewish community and its formative place in shaping the world's largest film industry. Spend an evening on a magical journey through Bollywood with film, Indian food, and entertainment. Closing night ends with free dessert for all. This reception will be limited to 100 guests. Sponsors must reserve their film and reception tickets in advance to guarantee a space. This reception requires two reception tickets.
Welcome to Hofsas House in Carmel and Knights Inn in Monterey, Official Hotels for the CJFF
Please click on the hotel logos below to make your reservations for the CJFF or any other time of the year.
Please click on the logos to learn more about our sponsors.
