Back Together Again! The San Diego International Jewish Film Festival 2022

By Dan Shapiro

Last year, even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SDIJFF was able to persevere through a combination of hard work, ingenuity, and on-demand streaming technology. Thanks to the scientists that have made vaccines, along with the dedication of the

committee and JCC staff, the largest and most celebrated cultural arts event in San Diego will once again happen in person this year, as it did for 30 of the last 31 years.

Plus, for those who prefer the in-home experience, SDIJFF is again offering streaming options for the majority of the fi during the run of the festival which will happen February 9 through February 20.

A Banner Year for Films

Whether in person or online, attendees can expect to experience some of the best fi ever shown. Christina Fink, SDIJFF Chair, explained with her signature enthusiasm, “I think that the most exciting news is that we had a huge number of fi to choose from. The inflow of potential selections surprisingly did not slow down due to COVID. I can only guess that there were a lot of films that had been produced and they were adding editing touches. I really don’t know, but I thought we’d be lucky if we had 50 fi and could pick some 25 decent ones during the second year of the pandemic, but we had well over 200 films to select from and curate the very best. I am incredibly proud of the collection we are bringing to the community this year.”

Ryan Isaac, Director of Cultural Arts added, “The Film Selection Committee did an outstanding job of identifying films that were both compelling and entertaining — a mix of interesting documentaries and beautiful narratives.”

Kicking Off Strong

Christina explained that all of the films are of the “highest quality, thanks to an incredible committee that reviewed each and every one of the over 200 submissions’’ and that “there really is something for everyone.” That noted, she shared what she called two “can’t miss” films, which happen to kick off the 12 days of the festival. The first, The Conductor will be shown on the underwriter preview night as an exclusive benefit to our underwriters. This documentary film that Christina Fink describes “as a lovely personal story with beautiful music” tells the tale of internationally renowned conductor Marin Alsop, who smashed the glass ceiling when she became the first woman to serve as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the

São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. The next evening, the festival’s official opening night, SDIJFF is proud to present Greener Pastures, a comedy from Israel, which is nominated

for 12 Israeli Academy Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Lead Actor. Christina noted that “we didn’t know that when we picked it. We just thought it was really funny. We were really lucky to get it. The distributor wanted a prominent place in the festival and we loved it so much that we had no qualms to make it our opening night film.”

Safety and Community

For those on the fence about joining us in person, the JCC and the Film Festival have been working hard to make sure the experience is as safe as possible. That includes requiring vaccination to enter the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the JCC, the location of all live events this year. Additionally, the Garfi d has installed EPA- recommended MERV13 Filters, which can trap smaller particles, including viruses, and allow for complete air exchange (with outside air) four times each hour. Ryan Isaac noted that “we have done everything we can to make it possible for people to feel good about returning in-person to bring the community back together again. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing the experience, which for my money, is the best way to enjoy the festival. And it will be even sweeter after being away for so long.”