Mobile’s Jewish Film Festival receiving community arts award

The Mobile Arts Council announced that the Mobile Jewish Film Festival will be honored at this year’s Arty Awards. The Arty ceremony will be on April 9 at 6 p.m., at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel.

According to the council, the Artys, now in their 20th year, is the city’s only arts award program that recognizes impact and excellence across all realms of the arts. Awards are presented to individuals, businesses and organizations who are dedicated to improving the arts and cultural scene in the Mobile area.

The Jewish Film Festival will receive the Organization award.

“It is so gratifying to be recognized by the Mobile Arts Council,” said co-director Barry Silverman. “The award really goes to all the people who have served on the committee over the years as well as the Federation directors. I hope we will continue to have volunteers to enable the festival to continue for many years.”

Co-director Rickie Voit said “We could not have made the Jewish Film Festival a success for 25 years without our generous and faithful supporters and all our wonderful volunteers.”

The Mobile Jewish Film Festival originated as part of Jewish Cinema South, one of the first projects of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. The idea was to have several film festivals in smaller communities at the same time, so filmmakers could visit and expenses be spread over several communities. The festivals debuted in 2001, and after about a decade, those that were still being held spun off into independent organizations. The Mible festival is coordinated through the Mobile Area Jewish Federation.

The Mobile festival has expanded to include screenings at both synagogues, the University of South Alabama, in Baldwin County, and often another venue in Mobile. There is also an annual Holocaust-themed film that is screened to school groups, and an annual featured film in memory of Reita Franco.