From Curtis to Curtiz –  LAJFF goes Silent !
The Moon of Israel (Die Sklavenkonigin) 1924 http://mubi.com/notebook/posts/the-forgotten-the-red-sea-reels
Los Angeles Premiere  Sunday May 6th  7PM  SabanTheatre, Beverly Hills
Introduction by Penelope Ann Miller, star of Oscar’s Best Picture “The Artist”
Screening for the first time in 88 years, this silent film from the early 1920’s will be accompanied by renowned Austrian pianist, Gerhard Gruber. Starring Maria Korda, this film was directed by Mihaly Kertesz(who later became known as Michael Curtiz). It was this film that brought Curtiz to the attention of the studio head Jack Warner, who invited him to Hollywood, where he began an illustrious career with classics such as “Casablanca.”
Sponsored by the Consulate General of Austria and the Temple of the Arts  in cooperating with Yiddishkayt.

Lest We Forget
Wunderkinder- Los Angeles Premiere  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3weL-EmetbE
Saturday May 5, 8PM  Laemmle’s Music Hall Beverly Hills  and Monday May 7th 7:30 pm Laemmle’s Town Center Encino
From the producers of Europa Europa comes this universal tale of child musical prodigies whose friendship overcomes barriers of religion and nationality despite the onset of war.  Followed by a Q & A with screenwriter Stephen Glantz at both screenings.

SHOAH: The Unseen Interviews  http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/shoah_the_unseen_interviews_lanzmann
Monday, May 7, 7PM  American Jewish University
After nearly three decades, Claude Lanzmann’s 9 hour documentary, SHOAH, is still regarded as one of the greatest films ever made on the Holocaust. But how much greater is it when you realize what was left on the cutting room floor. This viewing for the first time in Los Angeles, will show some of the unseen interviews and outakes from the original 220 hours of footage.  Presented by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Q&A to follow with Holocaust scholar Michael Berenbaum and Raye Farr, Director of the Stephen Speilberg Film and Video Archive of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

It’s a Family Affair
jTeenLA FilmFest
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Bureau of Jewish Education, LAJFF will showcase a diverse range of student films that represent the burgeoning talent of the future generations of filmmakers from throughout Southern California
Sunday May 6,  3:00pm  Laemmle’s Town Center  Encino
Teen filmmaker panel & reception to follow screening.  In partnership with the BJE

Visionaries and Luminaries
What would you sacrifice for what you believe?
The Price of Kings: Shimon Peres   – http://www.priceofkings.co.uk/the-films/shimon-peres   *North American Premiere
Tuesday May 8th 7:00pm  AMC Century City
This groundbreaking new documentary reveals the unseen side of Israel’s President and one of the world’s longest serving statesman who has been at the heart of the Middle East conflict for over seven decades. Narrated by actress Helen Bonham Carter. Panel discussion to follow with director Richard Symons, moderated by David Suissa, President of The Jewish Journal.

Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story  http://followmethemovie.com/  preceded by Cohen on the Bridge http://www.cotbfilm.com/  –  Los Angeles Premiere
Tuesday May 9th  7:30 PM Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
1976- the raid on Entebbe- an extraordinary victory and a tragic loss–a poignant look at how this event shaped the future of today’s Israel
Introduction by Consul General of Israel, David Siegel. Q & A with filmmaker and a very special surprise guest from Israel, moderated by Rob Eshman, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of The Jewish Journal.
Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

Woody Before Allen  http://www.woodybeforeallen.com/ to play with  Roth on Roth  on Philip Roth (Portnoy’s Complaint) Los Angeles Premiere
Introduction by actress Karen Black of Portnoy’s Complaint
Tuesday May 8th, 7:30 pm  Laemmle’s Music Hall, Beverly Hills
” 80% of success is showing up.” — Woody Allen. Those who “show up” to this special screening will see another side of the reclusive luminary.
This pair of intimate documentaries offers a surprisingly candid window into the lives of two of America’s most respected Jewish thinkers.

OSS-117: Lost in Rio   http://www.musicboxfilms.com/oss-117-lost-in-rio
Wednesday May 9th,  7:00 pm  AMC Promenade,  Woodland Hills
If you loved “The Artist”, see where it all began! A rare opportunity to see the Oscar winning French Jewish Director, Michael Hazanavicius and actor Jean Dujardin at work in this inappropriately hilarious and raunchy romp through the 60s in a James Bond meets the Pink Panther meets Austin Powers naughty, and wildly non-PG comedy.

Tikkun Olam
” And whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved an entire world”. – Mishnah
The Rescuers  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1zQgzoe5k0
Tuesday May8th, 7:30pm  Laemmle’s Town Center , Encino
Stephanie Nyombayire, a Rwandan anti-genocide activist and Sir Martin Gilbert, renowned Holocaust scholar, attempt to understand why history has a proclivity to repeat itself. On a quest to uncover potential solutions for the ongoing genocide, they learn of a handful of selfless civil servants who thwarted the Nazis and saved thousands of of lives during the Holocaust. “In partnership with Jewish World Watch and the American Jewish World Service, LAJFF is proud to present this enlightening evening. ‘Never forget’ stands for all genocide. We are all witness and must take part in healing the world.
Includes discussion with Emmy Award winning director Michael King and AJWS, JWW and USC Shoah Foundation guests.
Sponsored by Jewish World Watch & American Jewish World Service, in cooperation with USC Shoah Foundation Institute.
Closing Night
“L.A. Woman”
Dorfman  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whj0SF7k1cY starring Elliott Gould (of The Visitor) and Sara Rue (of Less than Perfect)
Discussion to follow with screenwriter Wendy Kout and cast members.
Thursday May 10th, 7:30 PM  Laemmle’s Town Center  Encino
“A lucky little lady in The City of Lights…”

This yet to be released Hollywood film is a love letter to Los Angeles.  It is a tale of an under-appreciated young Jewish woman who desperately needs to reinvent her life.  A romantic comedy about 27 year old Deb Dorfman, who is uprooted from the comfort of the suburban San Fernando Valley and gets caught up in the whirlwind of a newly revitalized downtown L.A.  This one will charm you off your feet!  This will be a high demand seating showing.

###For Media Credentials/pre event interviews contact:  Edward Lozzi, Pamela Moskovitz at Edward Lozzi & Associates 310-922-1200  epl@lozzipr.com