The 7th Annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) www.lajfilmfest.org presented by The Jewish Journal,  kicks off their excellent line-up of 26 films with an opening night star studded red carpet celebration and premiere of the authorized Documentary Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom. http://www.7thart.com/films/Tony-Curtis-Driven-to-Stardom . As a boy in the streets of the Bronx, to the silver screen, Bernie Schwartz reinvented himself as a Hollywood pop idol becoming Tony Curtis. An extraordinary film about triumph and overcoming adversity. Stars and VIPS who are in the film will participate in a discussion preceding the viewing including Theresa Russel, Mamie Van Doren, Marian Collier, Max Roeg, John Gilmore and Jill Vandenberg Curtis. Others invited are expected including family members and Hugh Hefner who also appears in the film. Celebrities attending include Shirley Jones, Marty Ingels, Penelope Ann Miller, Ed Lauter(The Artist), Terry Moore, Renee Taylor, Joe Bologna, France Nuyen, Mike Medavoy, Consul General of Israel, Sara Rue, Mayor of Beverly Hills, Robert Davi, Carol Williams, John Savage, Carol Lynley, Theodore Bikel, Anne Jeffreys, Chuck McCann, Maria Conchita Alonso, Bai Ling, Kym Karath, Gogi Grant, Lainie Kazan, Patty McCormick, Brian Thompson(2 Broke Girls), Cora Sue Collins, Tommy Cook, Peter Mark Richman, Jack Carter, Julie Adams(Creature Black Lagoon & with Tony Curtis in Six Bridges to Cross), Jane Kean(The Honeymooners), Lorenzo Lamas, Karen Black, Karen and Kat Kramer of the late Stanley Kramer, Elliot Gould and many others.  The Q & A discussions will be moderated by noted film critic Pete Hammond, (Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight)  http://www.tcm.com/festival/programs/480693/specialguests.html

Thursday, May 3rd.  Media check in 6PM-Red Carpet arrivals 7PM - Show begins 8PM

The 7th LAJFF has 26 films to proudly screen. Each year thousands of Angelenos from all corners of the city participate in this week long celebration of the Jewish experience through film. It includes world premieres and Los Angeles premieres of the newest, thought provoking documentaries, laugh out loud comedies, outstanding dramatic features and Oscar winning short films from multiple countries. There will be stimulating panel discussions with top filmmakers and the talent behind these dynamic films.
Further Highlights of some of this year's Films

From Curtis to Curtiz -  LAJFF goes Silent !
The Moon of Israel (Die Sklavenkonigin) 1924 http://mubi.com/notebook/posts/the-forgotten-the-red-sea-reels
Los Angeles Premiere  Sunday May 6th  7PM  Saban(Wilshire) Theater, Beverly Hills
Introduction by Penelope Ann Miller, star of Oscar's Best Picture "The Artist"
Screening for the first time in 88 years, this silent film from the early 1920's will be accompanied by renowned Austrian pianist, Gerhard Gruber. Starring Maria Korda, this film was directed by Mihaly Kertesz(who later became known as Michael Curtiz). It was this film that brought Curtiz to the attention of the studio head Jack Warner, who invited him to Hollywood, where he began an illustrious career with classics such as "Casablanca"
Co-sponsored by the Temple of the Arts and Yiddishkayt.

Lest We Forget
Wunderkinder- Los Angeles Premiere  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3weL-EmetbE
Saturday May 5, 8PM  Laemmle's Music Hall Beverly Hills  and Monday May 7th 7:30 pm Laemmle's Town Center Encino
From the producers of Europa Europa comes this universal tale of child musical prodigies whose friendship overcomes barriers of religion and nationality despite the onset of war.  Followed by a Q & A with screenwriter Stephen Glantz at both screenings.

SHOAH: The Unseen Interviews  http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/shoah_the_unseen_interviews_l...
Monday, May 7, 7PM  American Jewish University
After nearly three decades, Claude Lanzmann's 9 hour documentary, SHOAH, is still regarded as one of the greatest films ever made on the Holocaust. But how much greater is it when you realize what was left on the cutting room floor. This viewing for the first time in Los Angeles, will show some of the unseen interviews and outakes from the original 220 hours of footage.  Presented by the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Q&A to follow with Holocaust scholar Michael Berenbaum and Raye Farr, director of the Stephen Speilberg Film and Video Archive of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

It's a Family Affair
jTeenLA FilmFest
In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Bureau of Jewish Education, LAJFF will showcase a diverse range of student films that represent the burgeoning talent of the future generations of filmmakers from throughout Southern California
Sunday May 6,  3:00pm  Laemmle's Town Center  Encino
Teen filmmaker panel & reception to follow screening.  In partnership with the BJE

Visionaries and Luminaries
What would you sacrifice for what you believe?
The Price of Kings: Shimon Peres   - http://www.priceofkings.co.uk/the-films/shimon-peres   *North American Premiere
Tuesday May 8th 7:00pm  AMC Century City
This groundbreaking new documentary reveals the unseen side of Israel's President and one of the world's longest serving statesman who has been at the heart of the Middle East conflict for over seven decades. Narrated by actress Helen Bonham Carter. Panel discussion to follow with director Richard Symons.

Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story  http://followmethemovie.com/  preceded by Cohen on the Bridge http://www.cotbfilm.com/  -  Los Angeles Premiere
Tuesday May 9th  7:30 PM Laemmle's Music Hall, Beverly Hills
1976- the raid on Entebbe- an extraordinary victory and a tragic loss--a poignant look at how this event shaped the future of today's Israel
Q & A with filmmaker and a very special surprise guest !  Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

Woody Before Allen  http://www.woodybeforeallen.com/ to play with  Roth on Roth  on Philip Roth (Portnoy's Complaint) Los Angeles Premiere
Tuesday May 8th, 7:30 pm  Laemmle's Music Hall, Beverly Hills
" 80% of success is showing up." --- Woody Allen. Those who "show up" to this special screening will see another side of the reclusive luminary.
This pair of intimate documentaries offers a surprisingly candid window into the lives of two of America's most respected Jewish thinkers.

OSS-117: Lost in Rio   http://www.musicboxfilms.com/oss-117-lost-in-rio
Wednesday May 9th,  7:00 pm  AMC Promenade,  Woodland Hills
If you loved "The Artist", see where it all began! A rare opportunity to see the Oscar winning French Jewish Director, Michael Hazanavicius and actor Jean Dujardin at work in this inappropriately hilarious and raunchy romp through the 60s in a James Bond meets the Pink Panther meets Austin Powers naughty, and wildly non-PG comedy.

Tikkun Olam
" And whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved an entire world". - Mishnah
The Rescuers  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1zQgzoe5k0
Tuesday May8th, 7:30pm  Laemmle's Town Center , Encino
Stephanie Nyombayire, a Rwandan anti-genocide activist and Sir Martin Gilbert, renowned Holocaust scholar, attempt to understand why history has a proclivity to repeat itself. On a quest to uncover potential solutions for the ongoing genocide, they learn of a handful of selfless civil servants who thwarted the Nazis and saved thousands of of lives during the Holocaust. "In partnership with Jewish World Watch and the American Jewish World Service, LAJFF is proud to present this enlightening evening. 'Never forget' stands for all genocide. We are all witness and must take part in healing the world.", Hilary Helstein,  Executive Director of the 7th Annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival.  Includes discussion with Emmy Award winning director and AJWS, JWW and USC Shoah Foundation guests.

Closing Night

"L.A. Woman"
Dorfman  starring Elliott Gould (of The Visitor) and Sara Rue (of Less than Perfect)
Discussion to follow with screenwriter Wendy Kout and cast members.
Thursday May 10th, 7:30 PM  Laemmle's Town Center  Encino
"A lucky little lady in The City of Lights..."

This yet to be released Hollywood film is a love letter to Los Angeles.  It is a tale of an under-appreciated young Jewish woman who desperately needs to reinvent her life.  A romantic comedy about 27 year old Deb Dorfman, who is uprooted from the comfort of the suburban San Fernando Valley and gets caught up in the whirlwind of a newly revitalized downtown L.A.  This one will charm you off your feet!  This will be a high demand seating showing.

For more information including schedules, venues and prices for all 26films go to the LAJFF site  www.lajfilmfest.org

The 7th Annual Los Angeles Film Festival in association with The Jewish Journal  May 3rd to May 10th
Opening Night Gala :Tony Curtis:Driven to Stardom Thursday May 3rd, 6PM Press check in 7PM arrivals 8PM Show
Writer's Guild Theater Doheny Drive at Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills
Remaining Films at various locations citywide  see ( www.lajfilmfest.org)
*FESTIVAL INFORMATION NUMBER FOR PUBLICATION- 213-368-1661

*Opening Night Star Studded Celebration and Reception with Premiere Viewing of Documentary-
Tony Curtis:Driven to Stardom - May 3rd

*Penelope Ann Miller Co-Star of The Artist
Hosts Viewing of the Michael Curtiz Silent Classic- Moon of Israel - May 6th

*From the Producers of Europa Europa comes Wunderkinder
A Mesmerizing Holocaust drama told from a child’s point of view - May 5th-6th

*Los Angeles Premiere of Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story
Consul General of Israel and Special Israeli Government Officials to Attend - May 9th

*DORFMAN - Closing Night Film of Director Bradley Leung and Writer Wendy Kout
starring Elliot Gould - May 10th