Films

Fri, Jan 10, 2025
6:30–9 pm
Leslie Cheek Theater 

This juried film competition spotlights the year’s finalists for best short videos/films (20 minutes or less) from a slate of international entries. The special guest judge, Jerry Williams, awards cash prizes provided by the Virginia Film Office. Audience votes for its favorites. Purchase tickets at Jamesriverfilm.org

Sun, Jan 12 
1–3:30 pm    
$15 ($12 for Weinstein JCC & VMFA members)
Tickets: weinsteinjcc.org/explore-our-programs/arts-ideas/film-arts/ 
Leslie Cheek Theater
 
Join us for a selection from the 16th Annual Israeli & Jewish Film Festival. Running on Sand (2023; 108 mins.) is an award-winning film from Israel by Adar Shafran. It tells the story of Aumari, an Eritrean refugee living in Israel who is about to be deported back to his home country and is mistaken for a famed striker. Despite his lack of soccer talent, Aumari helps heal the divisions of his struggling team while a tender bond with the strictly-business daughter of the team owner forms. In Hebrew with English subtitles.