Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to Expand Jewish Film Festival Programming

The State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs recently awarded The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee a $25,000 Specific Cultural Project grant to help fund its 2017-2018 cultural arts programming.

According to Howard Tevlowitz, JFSM's executive director, the grant will allow the organization to expand its annual Jewish Film Festival into a year-round program featuring films and events centered on Israel, Jewish culture, and contemporary Jewish life around the world. The 2018 Jewish Film Festival is scheduled for March 8-18, 2018, with community collaborations and programming scheduled throughout the year.

"It's an honor to be awarded this grant," says Tevlowitz. "As a first-time applicant, The Jewish Federation and our Jewish Film Festival committee are grateful that the panel of judges sees the positive impact our films have made in our community and beyond."

The Florida Department of State's Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida's legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida's communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen Jewish life and identity in the Sarasota-Manatee community, provide for Jewish people in need, and to promote support for Israel. In addition, the Federation is responsive when worldwide catastrophes occur. For more information, call 941-371-4546 or visit www.jfedsrq.org.