The 2011 Charlotte Jewish Film Festival

Although North Carolina is known for her beaches, the city of Charlotte has transformed into a cultural mecca. The city’s new museums and recently renovated cultural organizations are causing quite a national buzz even catching the attention of The New York Times’ Travel section. Perhaps you’re staycation is a vacation after all.

            Entering its seventh year, the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival is another gem in the city’s fast-growing and forward-thinking cultural community. The Festival has grown from a one-day viewing to a ten-day event with attendance increasing each year. Since its humble beginnings, the Festival has developed into a platform for the Jewish film industry and a dialogue for the interfaith community. The Festival, as Mayor Anthony Fox quoted, adds to Charlotte’s “cultural tapestry” because like the museums, the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival offers an educational experience, one deeply rooted in religious and cultural studies and one that is both affordable and accessible.

            Last year, the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival featured films in venues from Uptown to Ballantyne. The diverse film selections included a topic for everyone – sports, friendship and romance. In an effort to accommodate patrons, films played after work during the weekdays and some afternoons throughout the weekends. More importantly though was the affordable price tag of tickets.

While some films hit the $10 price point others were free including a showing at the ImaginOn in Uptown. For a higher price point the opening showing offered a dessert reception while another ticket included the cost of a post-viewing cocktail party. But perhaps the biggest bang for your buck was the discussion panels offering insight from local rabbis and other religious leaders. The Festival both educates and entertains, catering to the mind, the body and the soul at a very small cost.

            This year’s film selection committee is working steadfastly to create another compelling line up. The hope remains that this year’s festival will continue to grow and to increase the community’s interfaith dialogue while at the same time highlight the vibrant and thought-provoking films of the Jewish cinematic world. But we need your help.