San Francisco Jewish Film Festival 2008

The 28th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival is underway tomorrow, with seven days of screenings in San Francisco (July 24 to 31), followed by festival showings in Berkeley (August 2 to August 11). Films also screen in Palo Alto and San Rafael.

The Festival has a history of showing films across a spectrum of topics not always given broad cultural attention. Experimental works, controversial subjects, humor . . . films addressing Sephardic life, the culture of Mizrahi Jews, gays and lesbians, have all been represented as part of the diverse discussion.

This year's festival presents a special focus on Italian Jews during fascism. The program marks the 70th anniversary of Italy’s 1938 racial laws -- the oppressive statutes imposed by Mussolini which barred Jews from professional jobs, from attending university, from having their names listed in the phone book.

There will also be six selections from the documentary filmmaking team of brothers Barak and Tomer Heymann, as well as samples of the best of Israeli television -- all part of a full schedule of films, events, pre-parties and discussion panels.

• Festival Films - A to Z
• San Francisco Opening Night (July 24)
• Film Clips & Trailers
• Film Festival Tickets

^{Film Pictured: Georgia My Love
Photo Courtesy of San Francisco Jewish Film Festival}