“Israeli productions have become a leading export and one of the most intriguing industries in the international scene. These films give a nuanced picture with a focus on the human experience in the region and allow us to see the day-to-day life beyond the headlines.” – Isaac Zablocki, Director-Founder, Israel Film Center Festival

New York’s leading Israeli film festival celebrates its 9th edition with a powerful lineup of award-winning and cutting-edge films from Israel. Featuring in-person rooftop and virtual screenings and showcasing the best new films from Israel’s booming film industry, the festival runs June 15–29, 2021.

OPENING NIGHT

The festival’s Opening Night selection is “Sublet,” directed by Eytan Fox (“Yossi & Jagger,” “Walk on Water”), which follows Michael (played by Tony Award winner John Benjamin Hickey), a ‘New York Times’ travel writer who journeys to Tel Aviv after suffering a tragedy. When he sublets an apartment from Tomer, a young film student, he finds himself drawn into the life of the city. “Sublet” screens Tuesday, June 15 at 8 p.m. on the JCC’s Meyerson Family Roof Terrace.

For the complete film lineup, events and more information, visit israelfilmcenter.org/festival.

TICKETS

To purchase tickets, visit israelfilmcenter.org/festival.

 About the Israel Film Center

The Israel Film Center of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is the leading resource for Israeli films in America, with the goal of expanding Israel’s emerging film industry and promoting Israeli culture in America. The center, a program of The Carole Zabar Center for Film, serves as an exhibitor, promoter, educator, funder, distributor, network organizer, advisor, and festival producer, and includes a viewing library and online database of Israeli cinema and the leading Israeli film streaming site.

About the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

The cornerstone of progressive programming in Manhattan, the JCC serves over 55,000 people annually through 1,200 programs each season that educate, inspire, and transform participants’ minds, bodies, and spirits. Since its inception, the JCC has been committed to serving the community by offering programs, classes, and events that reach beyond neighborhood boundaries, reaching people at all stages of their lives. Learn more at mmjccm.org

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CINE LAS AMERICAS (CLAIFF) HONORS JUNE PRIDE

By Mabel Pais

23rd EDITION, IN PERSON, JUNE 9-13

Mariem Pérez Riera’s OPENING NIGHT documentary

“RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT”

Cine Las Americas, based in Austin, Texas, in its 23rd edition will once again provide a rare showcase of films and videos from Latin America (North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean) and the Iberian Peninsula. The film festival celebrates films and videos made by or about Latinx in the U.S. or the rest of the world; also featured are films and videos by or about indigenous groups of the Americas. This year’s edition of CLAIFF will also continue their efforts to feature inclusiveness in the programming among the films representing over 15 countries throughout Ibero-America. Just over 50% of all films were directed and/or produced by female filmmakers, with the majority of filmmakers people of color, including Indigenous and Afro-Latino filmmakers. The CLAIFF directors and programmers are also proud to continue its dedication to have solid representation within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Cine Las Americas Executive Director Gabriel Ornelas, said, “In format, this year will serve as a bridge from our virtual showcase during the pandemic last year to returning to the in-person screenings and events we have all been looking forward to enjoying once again.”

The Opening Night film, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, focuses on the legendary actor’s 70+ year career, as she overcame a humble upbringing and relentless racism to become one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award Winners of our time. For the complete film lineup, events and more information about the Festival, visit cinelasamericas.org

TICKETS

To purchase passes and tickets, visit www.cinelasamericas.org

ABOUT CINE LAS AMERICAS

Cine Las Americas, a multicultural organization based in Austin, Texas, offers theatrical screenings of films made by and/or about Latinos or Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Films from Spain and Portugal are also included, enhancing a truly Pan-American cinematic experience. The mission of Cine Las Americas is to promote cross-cultural understanding and growth by educating, entertaining and challenging the diverse Central Texas community through film and media arts.

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LAKE TRAVIS FILM FEST (LTFF)BEARS INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR

By Mabel Pais

DEDICATED TO FEMALE FILMMAKERS AMONG OTHERS

2ND EDITION, IN-PERSON, JUNE 10-13

The Lake Travis Film Festival’s (LTFF) 2nd edition, the experiential festival celebrating independent cinema in beautiful Hill Country, just west of Austin, takes place June 10-13. The Festival is in-person.

The Festival will kick off with an ambitious “Space Out” Opening Night Showcase with Sevgi Hirschhäuser’s Toprak, Matt Richmond’s Brauhaus: A German-American Fairytale, multiple short film programs and a special screenwriting workshop with noted screenwriter/producer J. V. Hart (Hook, Contact, Bram Stoker’s Dracula).

The four-day in-person film festival will present a film lineup with a decidedly international flavor that will showcase films featuring a wide assortment of genres, styles, and topics. LTFF firmly confirms itself as an event dedicated to female filmmakers, young filmmaker showcases, a music video showcase, a special animation presentation, and more screenings, fun events, and after parties in various popup locations throughout the cities of Bee Cave and Lakeway, Texas.

“We were fortunate to have seemingly dodged the pandemic’s course to a great extent from our debut last year to this year’s second edition, but that also makes us want to return in the best way we can both for our filmmakers and our film fans,” said Kat Albert, LTFF’s Founder-Exec. Director.

For a complete film lineup, events and more information, visit laketravisfilmfestival.com

TICKETS

To purchase passes, tickets, and updates, visit laketravisfilmfestival.com.

LAKE TRAVIS FILM FESTIVAL (LTFF)

Lake Travis Film Festival (LTFF) is a vibrant experiential festival with an eye to showcasing filmmakers around the globe with authenticity, vision, and purpose. The festival connects independent filmmakers and industry professionals with an eager community audience. Featuring intimate discussions, exhilarating after parties, and unparalleled access to some of the most exciting venues in the Lake Travis area make The Lake Travis Film Festival a destination for filmmakers and a cultural enhancement for the community. In addition to an annual slate of films in juried competition, the festival offers a showcase for young filmmakers to screen their work.

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BIG BEAR FILM SUMMIT

By Mabel Pais

2ND EDITION, HYBRID, JUNE 11-27

Sri Charan’s “HALF & HALF” makes World Premiere

 

The 2nd Annual Big Bear Film Summit’s (June 11-27) theme “A New Hope” for this year’s hybrid presentation leads into the festival’s highly anticipated in-person screenings at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center (39707 Big Bear Blvd.) the weekend of June 25-27.In addition to the film screenings and events presented both in-person and virtually, the Big Bear Film Summit will also bring back its screenwriting competition, as the film festival builds on its efforts to promote new filmmakers and call attention to new talent. For a complete film lineup, events and more information, visit bigbearfilmsummit.com

TICKETS

To purchase passes and tickets, visit bigbearfilmsummit.com.

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)