On Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m., Gesa Power House Theatre proudly partners once again with the Seattle Jewish Film Festival for 2024’s short film showcase: Lights, Action, Community!
Centered around “Safe Travels?” (?טיולים בטוחים), this line-up has been curated by Walla Walla Movie Crush cofounder and our own Director of Film Programming Warren Etheredge.
We hit the road for many reasons: to seek, to escape, to grieve, to revive. Jews find deeper meaning in the phrase Lech-Lecha —Hebrew for “go forth” or “go to yourself”— the notion that, consciously or not, guides the characters in this program of shorts: from the addict who drags her friend on a quest to Tzfat, to the animated grandmother drag-racing to escape the law; from the man who drives a young woman to the border to a mother and daughter turn a trip to a big-box store into a referendum on familial hierarchies and desires.
The short films to be featured in this year’s festival are as follows:
IN THE GARDEN OF TULIPS
Julia Elihu | Narrative Short | US | 2023 | Farsi w/English subtitles | 14m
At the height of the Iran-Iraq War, Caroline takes a final car ride with her father through the Iranian countryside.
ARAVA
Sarah Meital Benjamin | Narrative Short | Israel | 2023 | Hebrew w/English subtitles | 27m
In 2000s Jerusalem, Arava reluctantly goes on a trip with her unpredictable best friend, Tzipi. Along the way, they’re confronted with the intricacies of their individual identities, hopes, losses, and their relationship to one another.
DEADLINE
Idan Gilboa | Stop-Motion Comedy Short | Israel | 2023 | Hebrew w/English subtitles | 13m
Two elderly women, offended by the disrespect they experience at the hands of society, become friends and revolt in this dark comedy.
SULAM
Noam Argov | Narrative Short | US | 2023 | Hebrew w/English subtitles | 11m
When an immigrant teen in Central Florida must help her mother before a school exam, tensions about belonging in and ease adapting to a new country bubble to the surface.
PLUS IN MEMORIUM: THE BOY (הילד)*
Yahav Winnerz”l | Short Drama | Israel |2023 | Hebrew w/English subtitles | 25m
*To honor the memory of Israeli filmmaker Yahav Winnerz”l, SJFF is one of many film festivals around the world presenting a special premiere of his final film. Winner was murdered on October 7 while bravely stalling Hamas terrorists so his wife and their one-month-old daughter could escape to safety. We find solace in celebrating his life and work.
Completed just a few months ago, THE BOY tells the story of a father and son dealing with rocket fire while living in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz bordering the Gaza strip. Winner’s prescient film won best cinematography at this year’s Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival.
Reserved seating tickets are $15 ($10 for students) and are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.
A program of the Stroum Jewish Community Center, the Seattle Jewish Film Festival runs March 2-17. For more information about the annual Seattle Jewish Film Festival, visit SEATTLEJFF.ORG.
