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March 7, 2003/Adar2 3 5763, Vol. 55, No. 28
Numbers down at film festival
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Economic issues and security concerns may have been the reasons for a lower attendance at this year's Phoenix Jewish Film Festival, said organizers of the event.
Attendance numbered 1,800, down about 600 from last year's festival, said Sheldon Pierson, co-chairman of the seventh annual event, held Feb. 15-20 in Scottsdale.
However, receipts were the same because ticket prices were increased by 50 cents, Pierson said. In addition, opening night reception tickets increased from $12.50 to $25.
Pierson attributes this "downturn" to economics - market down, war conditions, etc. - and security.
"We had many calls from concerned individuals who wanted to know what security we were providing," Pierson said. There were no additional security measures implemented.
A third reason was the lack of comedies in the festival. "Many, many people said they thought the films we had were outstanding, but they all asked, 'Why no comedies?' Pierson said. "We'll remedy that in 2004."
Seven international films, from Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Israel and the United States, were shown at the festival. An opening reception at Temple Beth Israel featured actress and theater director Sabell Bender, who filled in for Yiddish entertainer Lillian Lux Burstein, who had to cancel due to health reasons. After the screening of "Komediant," Bender spoke about Yiddish theater.
Other films were shown at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and Harkins Camelview 5 in Scottsdale.
Many of the screenings included post-film discussions and they were more widely attended than in previous years, Pierson said. Speakers included Dr. Norbert Samuelson, chairman of Jewish Studies of ASU's Department of Religious Studies; Rabbi Barton Lee, director of the Hillel Jewish Student Center at ASU; local film critic Fred Lynch; Francine Noyes, former press secretary to Gov. Jane Hull; and Shai Ginsberg and Ruthy Stiftel, of the Jewish Studies Department at ASU.
Nine synagogues participated in this year's festival, as well as the Israel Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun JCC and the Jewish Studies department at Arizona State University.
The festival screening committee is already previewing films for next year's event.
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