The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival
Returns for 26th Season, January 20-February 11, 2016

Opening Night Film is DOUGH Starring Jonathan Pryce at Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion with Director John Goldschmidt

(West Palm Beach, FL – November 12, 2015) The upcoming 26th annual The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will present more than 30 movies from around the world. Presented by the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches, the Film Festival will be held from January 20 through February 11.

The opening night screening will be at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion, and the closing night will be held at the Duncan Theatre on the Lake Worth campus of Palm Beach State College. In between, films will be shown at Cobb Theatres at Downtown in Palm Beach Gardens, Cinemark theatres in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach and the Frank Cinebowl & Grill in Delray Beach.

The Festival’s opening night film on January 20 will be DOUGH starring stage and screen actor Jonathan Pryce. John Goldschmidt, the film’s director, will attend. Set in London, a Jewish baker’s failing business gets an unexpected boost when his young Muslim apprentice accidentally drops cannabis into the dough, and the challah starts to fly off the shelf. Film Partners for the screening are The Private Client Reserve U.S. Bank, Barbara Mines, Linda and Ray Golden, Barbara G. Kay, Liman Foundation, Bente Lyons.

Presented at the Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth on February 11, the Festival’s closing night film will be the South Florida premiere of RAISE THE ROOF, an uplifting documentary about artists Rick and Laura Brown and their 10-year effort to reconstruct the elaborate roof and painted ceiling of the historic, 17th century Gwozdziec synagogue in Poland. Rick and Laura Brown are scheduled to attend. Film Partner for this screening is Howard Kaye Insurance Agency, LLC.

“The 30 films chosen to be shown at The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival 2016 are as diverse as our community. Some focus on Jewish issues, while others spotlight Jewish achievement and valor; some simply document Jewish culture, arts, and history,” says Festival Chair Donald M. Ephraim. “All of our films celebrate the Jewish experience and the diversity of our community.”

New Film Festival Membership Level:
Actor level film society membership is now available for discounts on film tickets year-round. This level membership also entitles holders to a discount on all main festival tickets and reel pass as well as the ability to order two weeks in advance of the general public on-line or by phone. The one-year Film Society Actor membership is only $75 per person. For more information, contact Film Society Membership Director David Yalen at [email protected] or 561. 736.7531.

On Sale Information:
Film Society member tickets and reel passes go on sale December 21 on the Film Festival’s website (Pbjff.org) or by phone at 877.318.0071. With the appropriate Member Code, discounted tickets can also be purchased throughout the festival based on seating capacity.

Ticketing to the general public opens on January 4, 2016 and is available throughout the Festival, based upon seating capacity for each screening.

During the festival, tickets for day of and advance festival purchase (dependent on seating capacity) will also be available at the Festival box office, which will be open while the Festival is live at that specific theater.

For more information on membership, sponsor partnerships, pre-festival screenings and events, or to sign-up for the mailing list, please visit pbjff.org. The 2016 festival films, trailers and complete schedule will be live on the website as of December 21, 2015.

About the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival:
Presented by the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches, The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival strives to bring to South Florida the finest examples of cinema from around the world. Founded in 1990 the festival continues to grow and evolve as it continues to expand the selection of narrative features, short films and documentaries to reflect the tastes and needs of its audience. The 26th annual The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will be held Jan. 20 through Feb. 11, 2016. For more information, please visit www.PBJFF.org.

About the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches:
The Mandel JCC has two locations in Palm Beach County. The Boynton Beach building is at 8500 Jog Road and the Palm Beach Gardens building is at 5221 Hood Road. For more information about the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, visit www.jcconline.com.

The mission of the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is to build community and enhance connection to Jewish life. The Mandel JCC is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.