A Letter from the Executive Director

Welcome to the new website of The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival!

The 2010 Film Festival celebrates the 14th year of presenting cinematic gems highlighting Jewish identity, Jewish experience, and the richness of Jewish culture to the Valley of the Sun.  We are proud to continue to bring films from all over the world to enthusiastic diverse audiences.

The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is the result of a merger in 2009 of the Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and the East Valley Jewish Film Festival.  The Phoenix Jewish Film Festival began 14 years ago.  Its founders, Phyllis and Sheldon Pierson, realizing that the area was lacking and could support a Jewish Film Festival, successfully organized participants eager to get the festival up and running.  The East Valley Jewish Film Festival, aimed primarily at the cities east of Phoenix, was pioneered 6 years ago by Gloria and Sid Israel, who found the same kind of support from their communities.

Both Film Festivals had much in common.  Both were independent, relying solely on the generosity of their communities for financial support through patronage, advertising, donations, sponsorships, and of course, attendance.  Energetic volunteers worked to make the Festivals successful, and continue to do so.

The merger resulted in the formation of a non-profit cultural corporation, with an expanded vision to present outreach programs to our entire community, to foster brotherhood, educate against prejudice, and to make the Festival one of international prominence by using the medium of film.  One of our outreach programs, “Films in the Schools,” has attained phenomenal success in secular and religious schools.

Our continued independence and volunteer Board depend upon your assistance to help meet our goals and to make the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival one of the Valley’s cultural events of the year.  Please be generous and consider a financial contribution.  If you are a current Patron/Benefactor of the Film Festival, we thank you and ask for your continuing support.

Our 2010 Festival promises to be a great one, with first class films for your enjoyment.  We look forward to seeing you at the movies!

Jerry Mittelman
Executive Director