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Still from Running on SandThe Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival returns for its 25th edition, this year putting on an impressive 25 screenings to mark this milestone occasion. Grand Opening at CineArt JP on 9 November, and taking place at Kennedy Town’s Golden Scene Cinema thereafter until 20 November 2024, the Festival offers a programme of comedies, dramas, documentaries, and shorts that celebrate Jewish culture and identity through film. The films hail from different countries and tell unique tales about many facets of Jewish culture.

Opening film “Running on Sand” by Adar Shafran is an uplifting comedy of errors that centres around an Eritrean refugee, Aumari, facing deportation from Israel. In a desperate attempt to change his fate, Aumari escapes from the airport and plays along when he is mistaken for Maccabi Netanya football club’s star Nigerian striker. This twist of fate places his survival directly in the hands of the team’s success on the field.

Shafran will appear in person at the opening screening on 9 November to discuss his hit dramedy, which was nominated for the Israeli Academy Award for Best Film.

Still from The Anne Frank Gift Shop

“The Anne Frank Gift Shop” is a 2023 American short black comedy drama film directed by Mickey Rapkin, revolving around a high-end design firm’s plans to reimagine the gift shop at The Anne Frank House, so that it might become more appealing to Generation Z. This proposal sparks a lively debate about collective trauma and the appropriateness of commercialising such a significant historical site.

Tony Award-nominee Kate Burton (“Hedda Gabler”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Scandal”) stars as museum representative Ilse, alongside actors Jason Butler Harner, Mary Beth Barone, and Josh Meyers. “The Anne Frank Gift Shop” won Best Narrative Short at the 2023 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and was shortlisted for Best Live Action Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

Still from Between the Temple

“Between the Temples”, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2024, is an American comedy-drama directed by Nathan Silver and co-written by Silver and C. Mason Wells. The film stars Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore”, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”) as Ben Gottlieb, a hazzan (cantor) struggling with a crisis of faith following the death of his wife, and Carol Kane (“Annie Hall”, “Uncle Buck”), as Carla Kessler, a retired music teacher who reconnects with Ben.

The film explores their unlikely friendship and the healing power of reconnecting with one’s heritage.

Still from The Most Precious of Cargoes

Animated film enthusiasts will appreciate “The Most Precious of Cargoes” by Oscar winning director Michel Hazanavicius. Set during World War II, this French film presents the powerful story of Jewish baby girl rescued by a woodcutter and his family, having been thrown in desperation from a train bound for Auschwitz. Hazanavicius’ debut animated film references vintage Disney fairytale formats, early twentieth-century Russian paintings and Japanese prints. The juxtaposition of romanticised visuals and an unsettling story make for on screen magic.

Based on true events, “The Stronghold” was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and follows a lonely Israeli outpost being besieged following the surprise Egyptian attack. Realising that help is not on the way after more than a week of Egyptian raids, a controversial plan is put into action. The Stronghold is a gut-wrenching exploration of values being tested under the most tremendous stress imaginable.

The Film Festival offers an exciting opportunity to immerse oneself in the many facets of Jewish culture and discover connection through similarities. Tickets will be available from 9 October 2024.

All non-English language films offer English subtitles. For full programme details: https://hkjff.org/

Opening Night Screening of Running on Sand 9 November 2024 (7.30pm)

Cineart JP, Jade Pearl Plaza, 22-36 Paterson St, Causeway Bay

Golden Scene Cinema 9 – 20 November 2024

2 Catchick St, Kennedy Town

Individual Tickets: HK$110 (Adults); $80 (Students and Seniors)

Opening Night Tickets with post-screening party: HK$380 (Adults); HK$280 (Students and Seniors)

All-Access Festival Pass: HK$1,800

Directors available for interviews in Hong Kong:

9 November 2024: Adar Shafran, Director of “Running on Sand”

10 November 2024: Shaylee Atary, Director of “Single Light”