February 2, 2018• byMichael Strangeways

The queer German/Israeli film THE CAKEMAKER screens at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival on March 11th.

It’s a ways off but if you enjoy Seattle’s many film festivals, there’s an excellent one coming up in March and April with the 23rd annual Seattle Jewish Film Festival. This year, their festival is divided up into two parts with the traditional Seattle/Mercer Island screenings from March 10th to the 18th, then a second mini fest happening April 14 & 15 at Regal’s Cinnebarre in Issaquah.

The SJFF has an annual “Gay Gezunt!” screening and this year’s film is the German/Israeli film THE CAKEMAKER from director Ophir Raul Grazier and it will screen on Sunday, March 11th at AMC Pacific Place in downtown Seattle.

It’s a film about cute gay/bi dudes and German pastry so it’s a go for us!

Here’s more info plus links for passes and tickets.

Seattle Jewish Film Festival Announces 2018 Lineup

Theme “isREEL Life” salutes Israel’s 70th Birthday

The Seattle Jewish Film Festival, presented by the Stroum Jewish Community Center, is thrilled to announce their 2018 program. The festival is an important part of Seattle’s cultural mosaic, offering a diverse spectrum of films that celebrate Jewish and Israeli life, culture, history, and cinema.

This year is particularly special, as the Festival salutes Israel’s 70^thbirthday. Almost half of this year’s “isREEL Life”-themed festival showcases a prismatic variety of Israeli films, from student productions to award-winning, internationally acclaimed directors like Eran Riklis, and from beginning to end, starting Opening Night with Maktub to Ben-Gurion, Epilogue closing weekend. Over 21 special guests are slated to attend the screenings, including directors, actors, producers, musicians, and expert speakers that will introduce films and lead post-film discussions.

The Festival takes place March 10-18 at venues around Seattle and on Mercer Island. SJFF is also extending its reach to the Eastside, April 14-15 at Regal’s Cinebarre Issaquah 8, showcasing four additional films. This new venue serves a full food and drink menu.
(Note: minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21+).

Seattle’s Opening Night will feature the funny and touching mob caper Maktub by Israeli Director Oded Raz, followed by a delicious Tom Douglas dessert party. Sunday’s Matzoh Momma Brunch Film features Jewish comfort food, klezmer music, the film Land of Milk and Funny, and film subject and comedian Dwight Slade will do a standup set.

At the Closing Night Centerpiece on Mercer Island, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and internet pioneer Tiffany Shlain will be honored with SJFF’s REEL Difference Award before she presents “Spoken Cinema”—a new, interactive, documentary art form, featuring live narration of her acclaimed films on stage—followed by a closing reception.

SJFF’s new Eastside Opening Night kicks off with the illuminating and entertaining documentary Shalom Bollywood, about Indian-Jewish screen legends, and includes a free popcorn and a beverage for ticketholders. The final Eastside film will be Across the Waters: a gripping story of survival and rescue.

TICKETS AND PASSES ON SALE NOW

General admission tickets: $12-$15 | Special events: $20-$25
8- packs of discount tickets: $100-$125 | Full passes: $200-$225
Senior tickets available | SJFF accepts TeenTix

SUNDAY | MARCH 11
Gay Gezunt! LGBTQ Film 8:40 PM | AMC PACIFIC PLACE 11

The Cakemaker | Director: Ophir Raul Graizer | Drama | Gemany/Israel
Devastated by the sudden death of his Israeli boyfriend, shy Berlin baker Thomas journeys to Jerusalem, where he secretly infiltrates the lives of his lover’s widow and son, and helps revive her fledgling café with his tantalizing German confections. How long can he keep this secret as the pair becomes deeply enmeshed?

About the Author: Michael Strangeways

As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.