![Jewish Film Festival hits the silver screen](https://cdn.sdnews.com/wp-content/uploads/20220116131957/KIB2_Jews_and_Baseball__20_.jpg)
The San Diego Jewish Film Festival is once again hitting theaters across the county starting Feb. 10. The 21st installment of the festival is boasting the theme “Something for Everyone,” and it promises to deliver, with an array of films and events for everyone, from teens to centenarians. “Film is such an interesting medium because it spans generations,” said Helen Fleming, chair of the festival. “We strive to get movies that are exclusive, that people might not be able to see somewhere else, and we want to convey the Jewish experience from all over the world.” The festival will host 31 feature-length films and 13 short films at five different theaters in San Diego, La Jolla, San Marcos and Carlsbad, with its main venue at the Clairemont Town Square Reading Theater. Movie-goers don’t have to have a connection to the Jewish community to enjoy the variety of subjects covered by the films, Fleming said. “The Jewish experience is a very wide and large umbrella, and the themes are universal,” she said. “When you go to an Italian or Latino film festival, you realize that everyone has the same issues and challenges, the same hopes and dreams.” Highlights this year include various events and numerous guest speakers. Here are some of the festival’s must-see happenings: • Baseball star Norm Sherry will speak on Feb. 13 at the screening of “Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story.” Sherry, a catcher for the L.A. Dodgers in the late 1950s and early1960s, will tell anecdotes from his days mentoring pitching star Sandy Koufax and what it was like to be a player in the MLB. • Rob Elowitch, a respected art auctioneer based in Portland, Maine, hid a secret life from his friends, family and customers for 20 years. On the weekends, he was Robbie Ellis, a 66-year-old professional wrestler. After his secret was revealed, he became a local hero. On Feb. 13, Ellis will join director Gary Robinov for a discussion of the film, “Canvasman,” and Ellis’ double life as an art dealer and pro wrestler and how age was never a factor in pursuing his dreams. • “In Search of Memory: The Neuroscientist Eric Kandel,” is a film documenting the life and research of neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner Eric Kandel, presenting his exploration of the science of memory juxtaposed against his own memories of growing up in Vienna. Ulrich Mueller, professor and director of the Dorris Neuroscience Center will be joined by colleague Mark Mayford, associate professor at Scripps Research Institute to speak at the Feb. 16 screening of the film. • During World War II, Gilberto Bosques was Mexico’s Consul General in France. In an effort to help Jews and Spanish Republicans escape oppression, he instructed his staff to issue visas to anyone trying to escape to Mexico. Lilian Liberman will be present on Feb. 17 at the screening of her film about Bosques’ daring achievements, “Visa al Paraiso,” and will be joined by guest speaker, Mexican Consul Maria de los Remedios Gomez Arnau. In addition to films and guest speakers, the festival also offers a series of film-centered events, each geared to specific audiences. • Flix Mix: a mixer for 20-, 30- and 40-somethings featuring the movie “The Yankles” about an Orthodox baseball team. The film will be accompanied by beer, wine and classic baseball munchies. Saturday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m, Clairemont Reading 14, 4665 Clairemont Drive, $19 in advance, $25 at the door. • Teen Screen: Chosen by a teen film focus group, “An Article of Hope,” about Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon and his assignment aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Columbia will be shown along with “Cohen on the Bridge: Rescue at Entebbe,” detailing the 1976 hostage rescue in Entebbe, Uganda. Teens will be treated to pizza, snacks and an appearance by director Dan Cohen. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m., Clairemont Reading 14, 4665 Clairemont Drive, $TBD • Baby and Me Screening: Mothers with babies less than a year old are invited to a screening of the film “Bride Flight,” about the lives of 26 post-World War II brides-to-be on their way to meet their new husbands in New Zealand. Babies are welcome to make any amount of noise they want at the exclusive showing, and moms can enjoy being out with their children without worrying about disturbing other theatergoers. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m., Jewish Community Center Garfield Theater, $TBD • Joyce Forum: named for the festival’s founder, Joyce Axelrod, the forum has three parts. “Shorts in Winter,” at 3 p.m., is a free showing of eight short films by emerging directors, “Joann Sfar Draws from Memory” will include a showing and discussion of a work in progress by filmmaker Sam Ball about graphic novelist Joann Sfar at 5 p.m. and “Over 90 and Loving It,” a screening of the film featuring the lives of people in their 90s and 100s will include a discussion with director Susan Polis Schutz at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, Clairemont Reading 14, 4665 Clairemont Drive, $TBD Tickets for all events can be purchased at www.sdjff.org or by calling (858) 362-1348.