THE CHRIS HOLTER FUND AT THE NEW JEWISH FILMMAKING PROJECT

The New Jewish Filmmaking Program at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival received it's second $2500 cash award for the support of this unique and innovative program. Young storytellers are guided by professional filmmakers to produce fully accomplished, broadcast-quality work, providing an unmistakably authentic voice to an under-represented population. Hundreds of thousands of viewers have seen NJFP work, presented by exhibitors ranging from PBS affiliates to community arts centers, numerous film festivals and by high school teachers nationwide.

This year's film, “Lalo's Jerusalem,” follows the personal journey, of Ed Baraona, a 19 year-old, growing up at the intersection of Salvadoran and Jewish identity. His Jewish great-grandmother fled to El Salvador from Nazi Germany and the civil war after all of the men in their family “disappeared.” Now, on his first trip away from home, Lalo journeys to Israel and catches an unexpected glimpse of adulthood.

In addition to the cash award to the NJFP, our foundation sponsored a reception for 15 filmmakers with films in the 2006 festival, and more than 100 guests, at the home of Ron Merk. San Francisco District Supervisor Bevan Dufty awarded each filmmaker a special Certificate of Honor from the City of San Francisco for their work. A very special award was made to Israeli filmmaker, Amos Gitai, whose many years of cinema work was recognized by the City of San Francisco, in naming the day Amos Gitai Day. The certificate, signed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, and carrying the gold seal of the City, was also presented by Supervisor Dufty.