Cyndi Silverman Leads the Way

Cyndi Silverman’s first months as executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara led into the pandemic, which of course forced cancellation of the organization’s annual Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival (SBJFF). Five years later, Silverman, now CEO, is understandably proud of her accomplishments, most notably spearheading a complete remodel of the Jewish Federation’s building on lower Chapala Street and adding Etty’s Jewish Deli to the premises.

This week, the facility will also host the SBJFF. Following the festival’s years of residency at the New Vic, this marks a sort of homecoming for the cinematic event that keeps attracting higher-quality films and more sessions with filmmakers each passing year.

“We had no real space to do anything like this before,” Silverman said. “We completely transformed the building so that we can seat about 150 people at a single event. Our new space not only fits the festival really beautifully, but it’s perfect for the audience to come out of a movie and have something to eat in the deli.”

The Federation is also renting a huge screen and bringing in an upgraded sound system as well as draping the walls to create more of a movie-theater feel. Meanwhile, the festival schedule, expanded to 16 programs spread over six days, November 1–6, between the Sabbath, should go a long way in helping filmgoers work up an appetite, as the slate boasts a range of genres, from drama to comedy to documentaries. The films – nearly all of which are new in 2025 and have almost exclusively never been seen before in town—come from countries around the world in addition to Israel, and encompass both Jewish/Israeli history as well as modern experiences.

For example, Shoshana, directed by Michael Winterbottom (Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland, 24 Hour Party People), is a drama about a British deputy superintendent of the Palestinian police who becomes romantically involved with the daughter of a co-founder of the Zionist labor movement in 1938–44 Tel Aviv. Soul of a Nation, from Jonathan Jakubowicz, delves into Israel’s most perilous chapter in recent
history, when the crisis triggered by the horrific October 7 attack ignited an extraordinary movement of solidarity, uniting Israelis in ways never before seen.

There are two different approaches to recovering property seized during World War II. The Stamp Thief documents Hollywood writer and one-time Seinfeld producer Gary Gilbert’s Argo-like efforts as he brings a film crew to Poland, ostensibly to make a movie, with the ulterior motive of finding a priceless stamp collection stolen by a Nazi officer during the Holocaust and returning it to its rightful heirs. (Post-screening Q&A with Gilbert and irector Dan Sturman.) The Property is a rom-com in which Regina and her granddaughter Mika journey to Poland to reclaim their family property but take a detour when Regina seizes the opportunity to pursue her own hidden agenda of finding her long-lost love from 70 years earlier.

A special screening of Centered: Joe Lieberman—profiling the life of the late Connecticut senator known for frequently crossing the political divide, who made history as the first Jewish vice presidential candidate—features a visit from his son Matt Lieberman and a special champagne toast.

The 1923 silent Austrian comedy East & West—about a feisty young New Yorker who goes to a family wedding in Europe and gets into all kinds of mischief, including coaxing the Yeshiva boys to dance the Shimmy, and acting in a fake wedding to a nebbish Talmudic student—will be accompanied by live original music from world violinist Alicia Svigals and pianist Donald Sosin.

Other comedies include Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm; the Argentine homecoming laugher Mazel Tov; and Ethan Bloom, which will feature a guest appearance by Mindy Sterling, best known for portraying Frau Farbissina, Dr. Evil’s German henchwoman and lover in the Austin Powers movies.

Other post-screening discussions will be held with James L. Freedman, director of the documentary about the titular actor and comedian Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause, and Abby Ginzberg, who helmed Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold, about the famed founder of the Jewish women’s service organization Hadassah, who later established Palestine’s health care system.

The popular Coffee & Bagels gathering will continue to kick off each morning, made even easier by the on-site deli, which will also cater three special events during the fest.

Just as the famous old print ad for a bread company exclaimed, “You don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s,” everyone is welcome at the SBJFF. You might just find yourself surprisingly absorbed.

“Jews make good movies,” Silverman said. “Steven Spielberg. What else can I say? The festival has films that are cute, funny, heartwarming, serious, educational, or a combination. It’s a broad spectrum of movies, something for everybody. It’s all good entertainment.”

Visit www.sbjewishfilmfestival.org.

Focus on Film: Additional Academy Hopefuls

Last week we shared info about Cinema Society screenings for four highly anticipated Oscar-worthy feature film events—each followed by a Q&A with their decorated writer-directors—in Hamnet (Chloé Zhao) on November 8; Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro) on November 9; Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier) on November 13; and Bugonia (Yorgos Lanthimos) on November 15.

Updates include Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (Scott Cooper) and The Smashing Machine, with actor-producer Dwayne Johnson, who is being touted as a Best Actor nominee, both on November 2; Sorry, Baby, with writer-director and actress Eva Victor on November 4; and the emerging best picture contender Train Dreams, with writer-director Clint Bentley, star Joel Edgerton, and cinematographer Adolpho Veloso on November 8.  

Tickets are often made available for non–Cinema Society members a few days before for $20 at www.sbifftheatres.com.

Details at sbifftheatres.com/cs.