The San Diego Jewish Film Festival returns Feb. 15 through Feb. 24 for its 10th annual run at the AMC La Jolla 12 Theaters at La Jolla Village Square. The series, sponsored by the San Diego Center at the Lawrence Family Jewish Centers of San Diego County on the Jacobs Family Campus, spotlights 30 features, documentaries and short subjects from 12 countries. Films such as "Man Is A Woman," "After the End of the World," "I’m Alive and I Love You,""From Swastika to Jim Crow," "god@heaven" and "Aimée & Jaguar," to name just a few, are presented in 18 programs and shown in 35 screenings. In addition to evening showcases are early and late-afternoon matinees, new this year, which provide broader access to the event.
    A long-standing key to the festival is its international appeal, and this year’s films from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States continue the tradition. Though a variety of themes are found, more than half the films address the harrowing legacy of the past century; a total of 16 movies, many from Germany or its neighboring nations, focus on the Holocaust. Among the topics of other features are sexual identity, religion, art, the family, the elderly, women's rights, life in Israel and footnotes to history.
    "This film festival is a very exciting event for the San Diego Jewish community at large," says Jacqueline Gmach, assistant director of cultural arts and book fair coordinator at the Lawrence Family JCC. "We are finding a way for all these movies to bring culture and ethnicity from all over the world."
    Rounding out the festival's worldwide movies are a tribute to baseball great Hank Greenberg, Oscar and Emmy winners, student films and a film for students. Also included are post-screening discussions with 20 scheduled speakers including filmmakers, writers, actors and scholars. The entire San Diego community is encouraged to take part in the eclectic happenings of the Jewish Film Festival. General admission ranges from $6 to $8, and series passes cost $80 for JCC members, $90 for nonmembers, or $140 for patron's series passes allowing early admission for preferred seating. For schedules, reservations or more information, call (858) 457-3161.

— Lora Watters