Remembering Gene Wilder - Screening and Opening Reception
Ron Frank’s affectionate biographical documentary displays the full measure of Gene Wilder’s gifts as a comedic actor of great depth, a writer, a director, and a mensch. Told in part through Wilder’s own voice, from his audiobook recording of his memoir, the film offers generous helpings of clips from across Wilder’s career – The Producers, Willy Wonka, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and more – and poignant home movies from his marriage to Gilda Radner.

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Opening Night Film, Winner of Audience Award at Boston Jewish Film Festival, Winner of Best Documentary Feature at Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival.

The film will be accompanied by an opening night Willy Wonka themed reception at 7 p.m. with scrumdiddlyumptious Wonka style treats and light hors d’oeuvres. Your Golden Ticket to the event includes a chance to win a gift card to Meesh Meesh, owned and operated by award-winning Chef Noam Bilitzer. The evening will feature a special recorded cameo appearance by comedian, Ariel Elias. Ms. Elias will talk about the value of humor, especially in tough times.

United States, 92 minutes. Sponsored by Wilma Probst Levy.

June Zero Screening
Jake Paltrow’s historical drama captures a profound event in Israeli history. The aftermath of the Adolf Eichmann trial is examined through the experiences of three characters: a 13-year-old Libyan immigrant who works in the factory where Eichmann’s corpse in incinerated, a Moroccan guard assigned to protect the jailed Eichmann from vigilante justice, and a Polish survivor of Auschwitz who is the chief interrogator at the trial.

Winner of Jury Prize for Narrative Feature and Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

USA/Israel, 166 minutes. Sponsored by Congregation Adath Jeshurun through a grant from the Jewish Heritage Fund and Cantor David Lipp’s Discretionary fund.

Bella! Screening and Discussion with State Senator Karen Berg & ACLU of Kentucky Executive Director Amber Duke
In 1970, Bella Abzug challenged the Washington establishment boys’ club and, with her trademark hat and Bronx swagger, entered Congress swinging, battling for credit cards for women, LGBTQ rights, and other issues of diversity, despite pressures from the left and the right, the Nixon administration, the CIA, the FBI, even the New York Times. Her struggles and successes are documented via never-before seen home movies, audio diaries, and newly discovered news footage.

Winner of the Library of Congress Ken Burns Award, San Francisco Film Festival Closing Film.

Immediately following the film, Kentucky State Senator Karen Berg and ACLU of Kentucky Executive Director Amber Duke will join us for a discussion about what it’s like to be a woman today, fighting for civil rights, women’s equality, LGBTQ+ rights and the road that Bella Abzug paved to get us where we are today.

Moderated by Solange Minstein, Community Outreach Chair of the Louisville Jewish Film Festival

USA, 102 minutes. Sponsored by Filson Historical Society and Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey and Susan Callen

Shorts and Shots Event
This bourbon tasting and short film experience will be led by Executive Bourbon Steward, Phil Kollin. The evening will include four award winning and exceptional short films, a customized tasting experience including four topflight bourbon selections, a light food sampling of cheese and crackers and bourbon balls. Your ticket includes a special Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory souvenir and a guest pass to return to the Museum.

Sponsored by Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Must be 21 or older to attend this event.

The Checkpoint Women: Memories Screening and Discussion with Dr. Ranen Omer-Sherman and JCRC’s Matt Golden
A group of Israeli women established Checkpoint Watch to guard the human rights of those passing through the checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank, documenting on film their interactions with the soldiers and their advocacy for the people who need to make the crossing.

Immediately following the film, Dr. Ranen Omer-Sherman, JHFE Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Louisville and Matt Golden, Director of Jewish Community Relations Council, will lead our audience through a thoughtful discussion surrounding the film.

My Neighbor Adolf Screening and Q&A with the Director
In 1960, Polsky, a lonely and grumpy Holocaust survivor, lives in the remote South American countryside. Just after Adolf Eichmann is captured in Argentina, a mysterious old German man moves in next door, and Polsky becomes convinced that his new neighbor is actually Adolf Hitler. In order to gather evidence against him, Polsky must befriend the man.

Israel, Poland, 96 minutes. Winner of Special Jury Award at Mykolaichuk Open Audience Film Festival. Winner of Best Fiction Film at Mystic Film Festival.

Immediately following the film, Director Leon Prudovsky will join on video for a special Q&A session. Mr. Prudovsky is an Israeli screenwriter and director. He graduated from The Steve Tisch School of Film and Television (Tel Aviv University) with his short film Dark Night, which was voted finalist at the Student Academy Awards and received Special Mention at the Venice Film Festival. His feature film debut Five Hours from Paris won several international prizes, including the Best Film awards at the Haifa Film Festival and Napoli Film Festival. My Neighbor Adolf is Leon’s second feature film.

Moderated by Dr. Asaf Angermann, Assistant Professor Term of Philosophy and Jewish Thought at University of Louisville

Seven Blessings Screening
Marie was two years old when she was given to her barren aunt, a common custom of Moroccan Jews at the time. Forty years later, Marie returns from France to marry, and is walked down the aisle by both of her mothers. During the Seven Blessings tradition, a week of festive meals in honor of the bride, old wounds and secrets surface and the celebration turns into a bittersweet explosion of food, family drama, and belated forgiveness.

Israel, 108 minutes. Winner of 10 Israeli Film Academy Awards including Best Picture.