wants more experimental films," he
said.
Discussions in the hallways and
during lunch centered around films
that the audiences did or didn't like
and whether certain films were too
controversial, he added.

Deborah Kaufman was the first to
found a Jewish film festival featuring
independent films; she launched it in
San Francisco 20 years ago.
Attendance has since risen from
4,000 filmgoers the first year to
35,000 last year, with screenings not
only in San Francisco, but also in
Festivals Expand
Berkeley, Menlo Park and San Rafael.
With the prolifera-
The foundation
tion of Jewish film
counts about 60
festivals in places
Jewish film festivals
that can hardly be
in North America,
considered Jewish
not only in Jewish
centers, the so-called
centers like Toronto
"People of the Book"
and Boston, but in
seem to be adopting
places like
another medium:
Albuquerque, N.M.,
they're becoming
and Tampa, Fla.
people of celluloid.
When someone
The more estab-
wanted to start a film
lished festivals have
festival in a new city,
several full-time
Siegel said, the would-
employees who work
be director would first
year-round on secur-
make the obligatory
ing sponsorship and
phone call to Janis
funding; some pro-
Detroit's JCC Lenore
Plotkin, director of
fessionals, like
the San Francisco fes-
Marwil
Jewish
Film
Magidson in
tival. As more festivals
Festival Director
Detroit, consider it a
sprouted around the
part-time job.
David Magidson:
country, NFJC began
Nonprofessionals
making conference
"Our rate of growth is
run most of the
calls to the directors
phenomenal"
smaller festivals. Like
to assess their needs.
Elias in Hong Kong,
Soon, he said, it
they do it in their
became evident that
spare time and learn by trial and
directors who often had no experi-
error.
ence in the field could benefit from
North Carolina physician Stuart
meeting one another. Among the top
Levin has been the volunteer coordi-
ics covered at July's conference were
nator of Durham's Jewish film festival
distribution rights, marketing, film
since its inception
availability, corporate and non-corpo
two years ago. He
rate sponsors, funding, dealing with
said the conference
community sensibilities and co-spon
afforded him an
soring films with other organizations.
opportunity to meet
"Film fests in general are at the bot
those he's been e-
tom of the food chain for distribu-
mailing, and learn
tors," said Magidson. "But they're
from others. "I've
becoming a significant presence in the
been doing this in
market. It may be in our best interest
isolation, and there's
to form alliances with other festivals."
no single model for
Magidson found that Detroit's fes-
doing it," he said.
tival compares well to others in terms
Years ago, Jewish
of content and length. It falls some-
film festivals tended
where in the middle in terms of size.
to consist of recy-
"But our rate of growth is phenome-
cled classics, like
nal," he said, adding that last spring's
Exodus, revived in
second annual festival attracted an
old movie houses,
audience of 4,000, a 55 percent
said Richard A.
increase over 1999.
Siegel, executive
Next year, the festival, scheduled
director of the New
for April 29 May 6, will have 19 film
York-based National
slots, featuring 25-30 films. "We will
Foundation for
add a post-Shabbat Saturday evening
Jewish Culture
screening at 9:45 p.m. to accommo-
(NFJC).
date larger audiences," said
Filmmaker
Magidson.

Ray and Shirley Abrams and
Michael and Julie Abrams,
Management, Kitchen, Servers
& All Employees Wish Their
Friends, Customers and Families
The Very Best For A Healthy,
Peaceful and Joyous
New Year

MeVee's

Restaurant and Lounge

Open Monday thru Saturday, 11 a.m. til 2 a.m.

GOOD FOOD • GOOD DRINKS • GOOD TIMES

Appearing Sat., Oct. 7

Coleman/Rhodes

23380 TELEGRAPH, BETWEEN 9 AND 10 MILE • Southfield
(248) 352-8243

Sseetvvient%,

P

letortk.

AUTHENTIC SZECHUAN COOKING

• fresh Seafood • cocktails

• )—tome of General Tso's Chicken
• '11.o MSG in any dishes • 'Vegetarian Dishes
• 1:Daily Specials

39450 14 Mile Rd.

(corner of Haggerty in the Newberry Square Plaza)

(248) 960-7666

Original location: 29215 5 Mile Rd. at Middlebelt-Livonia

OR CAR`

Not good with any other offer
1 coupon per table • with coupon
Expires 10/31/00

Marty and Karen Wilk

Management and Employees

Offer Best Wishes
For a Year of Peace,
Good Health, Happiness
and The Joy of
Lasting Friendships
To Our Customers
and Friends

-

Now Appearing:

BILLY ROSE

JIM PARAVANTES

Tuesday Thru Thursday Evenings

Friday & Saturday Evenings

QUARTET

28875

"Swing With Sinatra"

Franklin lid, at Northwestern & 12 Mile Southfield, Nil • (248) 358-3355