The feature film lineup for the 2024 Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival©, presented by MorseLife, has been announced, and tickets are now available. The festival will showcase 25 films, from its opening night on Feb. 27 to its closing night on March 11. Movie enthusiasts can enjoy films that promise to entertain, enthrall, involve and delight them. The festival will take place at two theaters in Palm Beach County, namely Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and Paragon Theaters at Delray Marketplace.
In its second year, the festival founded by Donald M. Ephraim is attracting the work of both emerging and established filmmakers worldwide. It aims to bring the best in cinema to Palm Beach County and contribute significantly to its cultural life. The lineup of the Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival includes a varied selection of films, such as features and documentaries from both up-and-coming and well-known filmmakers worldwide. The films comprise international prize winners and new work by renowned directors and producers, many of which debuted first at prominent film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, Sundance, and Tribeca.
“We’re proud to showcase these films spanning a wide range of themes and cultures that explore an eclectic mix of voices and perspectives in Palm Beach County,” Ephraim says. “The films comprise the work from around the world with an assortment of mainstream films with broad appeal and timely documentaries. Movie lovers will have the opportunity to attend exclusive events with celebrated actors and directors,” said Festival Founder Donald M. Ephraim. “We’re grateful for the support of our presenting sponsor MorseLife, our members, sponsors and donors who share my passion to bring this festival to Palm Beach County.”
The festival will commence on Tuesday, Feb. 27, with the screening of an art-heist documentary, Taking Venice. The opening night will feature guest appearances by Amei Wallach, the documentary’s director, and Philip Rylands, an art curator and president and CEO of The Society of the Four Arts. They will join the audience for an interactive discussion. The festival is set to conclude on Monday, March 11, with the showing of a heart-warming Italian romantic comedy, Never Too Later for Love. The movie stars Gianni Di Gregorio, the writer and director of the film, and Stefania Sandrelli, an iconic figure in Italian cinema.
It will feature several additional special guests. These include best-selling author Laurence Leamer, who will introduce the documentary My Name is Alfred Hitchcock on March 1. Director Brad Rothschild and activist Rabbi Tamar Manasseh will also be present for a Q&A session following the documentary Rabbi on the Block on March 3. In addition, star Shaina Silver-Baird will participate in a Q&A session after her musical comedy/drama Less Than Kosher, a centerpiece program, on March 5.
The opening will also allow guests to attend a cocktail reception at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Cohen Pavilion from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. An after-party will be held at Batch Gastropub, located next to Paragon Theaters – Delray Marketplace, to commemorate the accomplishments of this year’s festival after the closing night film on March 11. The ticket price for both events includes light bites and refreshments.
For the complete list of participating theaters and scheduled movies and to purchase individual tickets and memberships, please visit sasiff.org.