![A scene from "A Bottle in The Sea of Gaza," one of the entries in the 2013 San Diego Jewish Film Festival, which starts Feb. 7](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/d0/80/d080a1d05d7633267e936d7add01031b.jpg?itok=XxEjNxyN "A scene from "A Bottle in The Sea of Gaza," one of the entries in the 2013 San Diego Jewish Film Festival, which starts Feb. 7")
More than 16,000 are expected to attend 2013 San Diego Jewish Film Festival, which starts Thursday, Feb. 7.
Organizers say the festival -- now in its 23rd season -- has films designed to appeal to all audiences. Along with the films, special guests and filmakers will be on hand to meet attendees.
According to organizers, "The Festival provides the finest contemporary Jewish-themed films touching on diverse topics from historic human struggles, to the joys of new love, comedy, children coping with adult conflicts, ending discrimination, defending our neighborhoods, and many more."
The 2013 festival line-up "is extraordinary in its depth and quality,” said Saundra Saperstein, the festival chairwoman “You will find these films enticing, exciting, heart-felt, and provocative," she added. "You can see them in four convenient venues across the County; including Carlsbad and San Marcos. These films may not be seen in San Diego again, so now is the time to catch them.”
This year's festival locations are Reading Cinemas 14, 4665 Clairemont Dr.; the city of Carlsbad (at the Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane); San Marcos Stadium 18 (1180 W. San Marcos Blvd.), and Garfield Theatre; and the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, in La Jolla.
Opening night will include "Under African Skies (Paul Simon Story)," which spotlights the "Graceland" singer's return to South Africa.
The closing night will feature "Hava Nagila -- The Movie," focusing on the song's roots.
The cinematic line-up is as follows:
- Festival films -- diverse selection of award winning, fully produced, feature entries.
- Joyce Forum (Shorts in Winter) -- A collection of seven short films from emerging filmmakers; ranging from 7-30 minutes each. Seven films are $7.50 each Five additional films, described as "top caliber" will be shown later the same day.
- Teen Screen -- A special night for teenagers to meet the real-life people from a movie about urban teens overcoming violence; it will be a free event.
- Family Day -- Highly popular "Shalom Sesame!" is for children 3-7 years old
- Flix-Mix -- A special event for young adults 20-plus, complete with refreshments.
For more information and, call 858-362-1348 or go to the web site for a complete film guide or to purchase tickets: http://www.sdcjc.org/sdjff/index.aspx
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