The Jewish Community Center Sonoma County is proud to present the 6th Annual Israeli Film Festival, producedVIRTUALLY in 2021. Five new and highly acclaimed Israeli films will be available online on a dedicated, user-friendly platform. The films will be available on-demand for three weeks, March 12 – April 2. Live filmmaker talks will allow the community to interact with the creative minds behind the works. All-Access Season Passes on sale February 26.

TICKETS, TRAILERS, and FILM GUIDE: WWW.JCCSOCO.ORG. Season Passes: $60 single, $80 “mishpacha” family; Single Tickets on sale March 5: $14, $24.

ASIA (DRAMA) – Starring Shira Haas (Unorthodox, Shtisel) and Alena Yiv, ASIA is the story of a thirty-five-year-old Russian immigrant and single mother (named Asia). Free-spirited and non-judgmental, she is put to the test when her teenage daughter Vika, who is disabled, announces that she’s ready to lose her virginity. New director Ruthy Pribar created an emotionally intense, heartbreaking film. Premiered at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival winning Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and the Nora Ephron Prize; the film won nine Israeli Academy Awards (Ophir) including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. The Israeli entry for the American Academy Awards. (85 Minutes; Hebrew, Russian).

FORGIVENESS (COMEDY) – Set in the south of Israel near the Gaza border where beleaguered citizens live withincoming rocket fire, longtime pals Shaul and Nissan attempt to rob a postal bank. They think they’ve got a great aplan, but they mangle the job royally, and Shaul is collared and sent to prison. Years later, upon his release, Shaul is less than pleased to be greeted by the newly religious Nissan who seeks his forgiveness in the week leading up to Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. This exuberant goofball buddy-film highlights the exceptional rapport between the film’s creators, directors, and stars, Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir, best known for their hit television series Asfur. (104 Minutes; Hebrew).

HERE WE ARE (DRAMA) – Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live in a gentle routine, away from the real world. But Uri is autistic, and now as a young adult it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road. Directed by Nir Bergman with powerful performances by Shai Avivi, Noam Imber, HERE WE ARE was an official selection of theCannes Film Festival and was nominated for nine Israeli Academy Awards. (92 Minutes; Hebrew).

KISS ME KOSHER (COMEDY) – When their lesbian daughter becomes engaged to a German woman, and grandma has a secret lover, this subversive love story exposes the clashing opinions, secrets, lies, and hypocrisy of a traditional Jewish Israeli family. KISS ME KOSHER is a charming romantic misadventure crossing all societal borders. Directed by Shirel Peleg (101 Minutes; Hebrew, English, German).

MRS. G (DOCUMENTARY) – Mrs. Lea Gottlieb, was the legendary designer, founder, and owner of the Gottex swimwear empire. Gottlieb was a woman full of contradictions, and she knew how to recover from periods of crisis. She survived the Holocaust, established a small factory in Israel, and achieved phenomenal success abroad. The filmfollows Mrs. G’s incredible creativity, dominant personality, complex relationships, and passion, for which she paid a heavy price. (56 Minutes; Hebrew).