The Kansas City Jewish Film Festival kicks off this year on Saturday, Oct. 10, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 18. The festival, now in its 17th year, features perhaps its strongest line-up of films in its history.
“The goal this year was to select movies that not only reflect the philosophy of the festival but also offer the festivalgoer an experience they can only get at the festival with a mix of local, national and international movies and short films by up-and-coming filmmakers,” says festival producer Shawn Edwards. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}“In today’s digital world it is increasingly difficult to find unique content that isn’t readily available for public consumption. We feel we have done an exceptional job in finding films for the festival that have not been seen and can only be seen unless you attend the festival.”
This year the Kansas City Jewish Film Festival opens with “A Blind Hero: The Love of Otto Weidt,” the story about the “unsung Schindler” Otto Weidt who saved Jews from Nazi death camps.
The festival is proud to announce its new partnership with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education and the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. MCHE will host a screening of “The Eichmann Show” on Sunday, Oct. 11, and a special student screening of “Berlin Calling” on Wednesday, Oct. 14, which is open to area high school students. Jewish Federation will host a screening of “Above and Beyond” about a group of volunteer pilots who went to Israel in 1948 to fight in the War of Independence on the closing night of the festival, Sunday, Oct. 18.
There will be a special VIP fundraising event on Thursday, Oct. 15, for filmmaker Leah Warshawski and her feature documentary “Big Sonia,” which is currently in production. The filmmaker will show excerpts from her documentary which profiles 89-year old Sonia Warshawski — Holocaust survivor, national treasure and local celebrity — and speak about the journey she has been on to get her film financed and produced.
In a joint collaboration with Kansas City Women in Film the festival will showcase the talents of local women filmmakers and screen their movies on Saturday, Oct. 17.
For the second year the festival will present its Celebration of Diversity screening. This year’s film is “Dough,” which will be shown on Monday, Oct. 12.
The festival will also present a short film showcase. The collection of shorts presented by Mini Cinema and the Kansas City Jewish Film Festival will be screened in Kansas City and Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 14. This unique concept is an example of how the KCJFF is expanding its brand on a national level.
“The goal is to become the Sundance of Jewish film festivals, says Edwards. “The KCJFF has a special relationship with Hollywood and we plan to use that connection to create a hub where new filmmaker talent can come and flourish and get discovered first at the KCJFF.”
“The 2015 KCJFF is set to provide festival goers with a fantastic experience as we continue to celebrate the uniqueness of Jewish heritage and culture,” Edwards added.
Kansas City Jewish Film Festival 2015 Schedule
All films are at the White Theatre
Opening Night
Saturday, Oct. 10
Fox 4 News Night
Performance by Carla Bauer
Film: “A Blind Hero: The Love of Otto Weidt”
VIP Reception
7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Heritage Screening and Midwest Center for Holocaust Education Night
Film: “The Eichmann Show”
6 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 12
Celebration of Diversity Screening
Film: “Dough”
7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Community Screening
Film: “The Last Mensch”
7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Student Screening presented by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education
Film: “Berlin Calling”
10 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Short Film Showcase presented by Mini Cinema at the White
Kansas City Jewish Chronicle Night
Film: “On a Technicality”
Film: “Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion”
Film: “70 Hester Street”
Film: “What We Left Behind”
Film: “Pur”
Film: “German Shepherd”
Film: “Demeter’s Spring”
Film: “Reverence”
7 p.m.
Note: All films will also be shown that evening at Regal Cinemas LA Live in Los Angeles, California
Thursday, Oct. 15
Filmmaker’s Showcase
KC Film + Media Night
Film: “Big Sonia” Fundraiser
7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Director’s Choice Screenings
KC Women in Film Night
Film: “Just Like You” Film Talk presented by Jen Greenstreet
Film: “Some Days are Bug Days” by Mary C. Taylor
Film: “House Mother” by Anita Cordell
Film: “Glow” A documentary made with a MAC grant by KCWIF
7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Closing Night
Jewish Federation Night
Film: “Above and Beyond”
7 p.m.{/mprestriction}