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In the past few years, the Reflecting The Community festival has shown documentaries about Israel that were not merely crit- The explosion of Jewish film festivals ical of certain Israeli policies, but that occurred not only because more films were called downright anti-Zionist by with Jewish content are being produced, some critics. but also because "we're seeing a reflec- While Kahn said there was noth- tion of Jewish experience that isn't seen ing wrong with showing those in any other venue," NFJC's Siegel said. movies, he believes the festival should Joanne Marks Kauvar, director of give a more balanced perspective, the Denver Jewish Film Festival, screening positive representations of called the festivals a kind of "Jewish Israel as well. town square, where "No organization the widest group of in the Jewish commu- Jews can gather." nity does as successful Kauvar said most a job of outreach as Jewish gay men and the film festival to the lesbians in Denver marginally affiliated," feel they are not Kahn said. "But if accepted by the most of the film festi- mainstream Jewish val is only a negative community. view of Israel, you However, "those who have crowds of Jews have been spurned by who may not be get- the Jewish communi- ting any other per- ty will still come to a spective." Jewish film festival." "The range of Plotkin agreed, issues and images at adding that the film these festivals is prob- festivals show multi- San Francisco Jewish Film ably more diverse and ple images of contem- Festival founder Deborah therefore more liable porary Jews. "We're to generate discussion Kaufman: Film festivals not the stereotype and debate than most that people think we should "question the aspects activities in the are," she said. of Jewish communal life in Jewish community," San Francisco has said Siegel. the United States which been a case in point, Even at the with scores of people need questioning." Durham festival, who identify them- which counted 2,000 selves as "cultural viewers last year, audiences include Jews," with little or no Jewish involve- not only large numbers of gays and ment during the rest of the year, com- lesbians, but Palestinians. ing to the festival. This past summer's Detroit festival But because film festivals are one included films about life as a Jewish of the more successful vehicles to lesbian couple, the courtroom trial of reach the unaffiliated, curators should Josef Mengele, domestic violence and be mindful of what messages their Jewish life in China. The festival was selections impart, said Rabbi Doug filled with comedy, action and drama, Kahn, executive director of the San and films that portrayed Jewish Francisco Jewish Community themes from around the world. Relations Council. Interestingly, Siegel, who is on a In an interview before her keynote foundation committee that funds doc- address, San Francisco film festival umentaries on Jewish themes, said the founder Kaufman said she felt the pur- Israel-Palestinian conflict is no longer a pose of Jewish film festivals is not hot-button issue for Jewish filmmakers. merely to celebrate Jewish life, but to "Gender," he said, "is the new hot- be provocative, and "question the button issue." O aspects of Jewish communal life in the — Linda Bachrack contributed United States which need questioning." to this article. Indeed, as Jewish film festivals Although he doesn't have a "head- liner" film as of yet, he's excited about the film Promises, a story about the Arab-Israeli conflict on the West Bank, as told through children ages 8-12. "Local children contributed funds to ensure this film be finished," he said.