SHORT FILM CONTEST

And the winners are...

Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival Announces Winners of Short Film Contest for Aspiring Filmmakers

The 14th Annual Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival announces today the winners of the new Short Film Contest for aspiring filmmakers in the Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. The contest has been made possible by the Louis Orloff family.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category at the opening night of the 14th Annual Jewish Film Festival, taking place on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 8:00 pm at the Tampa Theatre. 1st place winners will each receive $750; 2nd place winners - $500; 3rd place winners - $250. The schools of the 1st place winners in the Middle and High School categories will also each win $250.

The premiere screening of the 1st place winners’ films will take place on opening night before the screening of the opening night film, “The Debt.” The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners’ films will be released online at jewishtampa.com and in the “Let My People Know” weekly e-newsletter during the month of March.

First place winner in the Middle School category is Elina Rodriguez of Hillel School of Tampa with her film "A Lesson in Living." Second place is Daniel Krasnove and Leo Stoler with their film "V'ahavta l'reyecha kamocha." Third place winners are Sophie Moss and Brooke Shapiro with "Growing Up Jewish In The New Millenium."

In the High School category, Isaac Berner of Shorecrest Preparatory School won first place with his film "Mazel Tov Jesus." Second place winner is Brandon Frank, Katie McCabe, Jacob Coonfare, and Chelsea Allison with “Compromising Religion.”

First place winners in the age 18 and older category are Daniel LeVine, Eli Marger and Matthew Bloom with "Shabbat in the Shul Today." Second place is Dr. Rob Norman with his film "Gefilte Fish." Third place is awarded to Michael Matteo with "Shalom."

The Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival is one of the premier Jewish arts and culture events in the Tampa Bay area, showcasing the finest international films focusing on Jewish themes. The Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival is produced by the Tampa Jewish Community Center and the JCC of the Suncoast. For more information on the Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival, visit www.tbjff.org.