SVJFF President's Message

In the last 16 years we’ve written this column to introduce you to our Annual Film Festival, but in our 17th year, I’m writing about wrapping up on our very successful first year of the newly named Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival.  Yes, besides our new name, we’ve begun a number of other exciting changes to our festival.

We’ve provided programming throughout 2008, partnering with a number of new organizations, starting with our February showing of “The Band’s Visit”.  We’ve also made a commitment to show more Israeli films and we have already programmed six events featuring great new Israeli directors and actors. We’ve  made a new commitment to match our name and show our films throughout the Silicon Valley and surrounding areas with shows in Campbell, Santa Cruz, and Palo Alto as well as our anchor location in San Jose.

And we’ve also made a commitment to not just provide great films, but also create “Film Events” where we have given away SVJFF t-shirts, Israeli candy, $5 tickets, had accompanying music performances, and will feature numerous films with informative discussions during our Fall Festival.

In my seven years with the Festival, I believe this Fall Festival selection of films by our Search and Selection committees is perhaps the best yet.  You’ll see the diversity of features, documentaries, and shorts that will be presented in both San Jose and in Palo Alto on the our newly designed website.

And speaking of our website, we’ve made secure purchasing of single tickets, as well as patron memberships all possible online. Want to attend the SVJFF as a group. Starting this year that will cost you 20% less for groups greater that fifteen(certain conditions apply).

If you’ve already attended one or more of events this year, we certainly thank you for your support.  We hope you’ll spread the word to your fmaily and friends.  For those who haven’t yet attended, I invite you to “watch our stars shine!”

Thanks for watching,

Lorin Fink
President
2008 SVJFF