The Indianapolis Jewish and Israeli Film Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the diversity of Jewish and Israeli films, entertains, educates, and brings together members of the Indianapolis Jewish community. Founded by Robert Epstein, an Indianapolis attorney and leader of the local Jewish community, the festival combines feature-length film presentations around the city with debates with filmmakers and Jewish leaders, as well as other local religious leaders. It offers a new, thought-provoking version of each film, beyond the usual exhibitions. Epstein initiated the festival after recognizing that Indianapolis was not on the list of approximately 60 American cities that hosted a Jewish film festival. The festival is devoted to identifying and presenting great films that reflect the Jewish tradition and the human condition.
Epstein wanted the movies to be inspirational, but also wanted to include a couple of avant-garde films. Many of the films will be screened at Christian venues in order to welcome people of all faiths.
The Indianapolis Jewish Film Festival
showcases movies that illustrate the complexity of Jewish culture and the human condition. One such film is Arranged, which follows two young women as they struggle to find common ground in cyberspace. The film exposes the arduous nature of meeting people in this digital world that makes them seem easily accessible.Like the other films at the festival, Arranged transmits its message with a delicate touch and not with a heavy hand. Another movie featured at this year's festival is Mitákuye Oyás'i (Film Inclusion Award), which tells a story about clashing cultures and parents and children within the Jewish faith. It stars Robbie Benson (Beauty and the Beast and now a film professor at Indiana University) as a young modern Orthodox Jew who encounters religious rivalry, but personal friendship with a Jew Hasidic. The film emerges as a moving and intimate look at the eternal search for universals in a world of differences. The second annual Indianapolis Jewish Film Festival comes to an end this week with prestigious guests and films that illustrate the complexity of Jewish culture and the human condition. It has been awarded several awards such as Lolly Award for Best Feature Film, XPOSED International Queer Film Festival (2012), Best Documentary Film, Parallel Film Festival (201), Audience Award, Docaviv Film Festival (201), Audience Award, Coachella Valley Festival Festival (200) Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Bavarian Film Awards (2000), German Film Award (2000) Golden Lady Harimaguada, Las Palmas Film Festival (2000) Guild Film Award - Gold, German Art Cinemas Guild (2000), OCIC Award - Mention of honor at the Mar del Film Festival Silver (199).The Indianapolis Jewish Film Festival is an incredible event that celebrates diversity in Jewish culture and explores many aspects of human life.
It is an opportunity to explore thought-provoking films from around the world while connecting with members of different faiths.
