Ticket sales open for 24th annual JFilm Festival

Advance ticket sales begin online Thursday for the 24th annual JFilm Festival, an 11-day celebration of International Jewishthemed films.

Twenty full-length films will be presented from April 20-30 at various locations in Pittsburgh, including Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill, South Hills Village 10 and Hollywood Theater in Dormont. One film, “There Are Jews Here,” will be shown at Seton Hill University’s Performing Arts Center in Greensburg at 7 p.m. April 26.

Opening night kicks off at the Manor at 7 p.m. April 20 with the Pittsburgh premiere of Israeli film “Harmonia,” which details a biblical tale of love, motherhood and sibling rivalry through the lens of a symphony orchestra in present-day Jerusalem. After the film, there will be a party at the JCC-Katz Theater in memory of longtime JFilm committee member Lois Weaver.

“The Exception,” the last film of the festival, will screen at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Manor. Based on the novel “The Kaiser’s Last Kiss,” the film explores occupied Holland during WWII, focusing on the narrative of a retired Kaiser and a love story between a Dutch-Jewish spy and a German soldier.

Tickets are $70 for the opening night film and reception ($25 for full-time students). General admission tickets are $12; plus a variety of other pricing.

For a full schedule and ticket sales, visit www.jfilmpgh.org or call 412-426-3456. The Israeli film “Harmonia” opens the JFilm Festival on April 20. A modern retelling of the biblical story of Abraham and Sarah, set within the Jerusalem Philharmonic, it stars Alon Aboutboul as Abraham, Tali Sharon as Sarah and Yana Yossef as Hagar.