A Letter from the Executive Director

Welcome to the 16th Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival!

The 2012 Festival presents more films and showings than in previous years - outstanding films which promise to entertain, delight, provoke, and educate the viewing audiences.

The Festival’s mission is to show films that provide insight not only into Jewish life, traditions and culture, but also tell of significant historical events which influenced or affected the Jewish people.  Films from around the world which meet these criteria are sought out and researched; the goal is to find premiere films with cultural themes or powerful messages.  To this end, almost 100 feature films are reviewed before the final selections are made.

This year’s blend of tragedies, documentaries, comedies, biographies, and shorts offer the best of cinematic talent and skill from around the globe.  In order to reach as many people as possible in the Valley, showings are held at Scottsdale’s Camelview 5, Crossroads 12 in Chandler, and Arrowhead 18, Peoria.  For 2012, in more films and expanded show times offer viewers the flexibility to see these quality films at their convenience.

The Festival has a commitment to maintain its community outreach programs, including Films in the Schools, where film is used to teach tolerance and diversity to students of all races, creeds, and religions.  This program has been extremely successful, with films having been shown to over 3,000 students and teachers in religious and secular schools.

The Festival’s staff is all volunteer, working together well over a year in advance to bring the best of Jewish theme films to the Valley of the Sun.  The goal to become a major cultural event in the metro area is succeeding, with a look to further expansion to other local areas.  Planning for 2013 is underway now!

To accomplish this without your assistance would not be possible.  Ticket sales alone do not cover the costs of the Festival and its outreach programs.  The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is an independent non-profit (501(c)(3)) corporation with no affiliation to any organization.

Please be generous and consider a financial contribution, which may be tax deductible.* If you are a current Sponsor, Patron, or Advertiser, we thank you and ask for your continuing support.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, our website: www.gpjff.org.

With your help and participation, we look forward to continuing growth as a key element in presenting Jewish life and culture to the greater Phoenix area.

Jerry Mittelman
Executive Director

*Please refer to your tax consultant.