The only annual festival of its kind, the New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival has become one of the largest Sephardic Jewish film festivals in North America, attracting over 30,000 guests to a major cultural event that calls New York its home.

The 15th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival will take place March 10-16 at the Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York. Presented by the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) in association with Yeshiva University Museum (YUM), the slate of films includes five U.S. premieres and six New York premieres, as well as critically acclaimed and award-winning films and classic feature films and documentaries presented by filmmakers with differing global perspectives.

Ronit Elkabetz, acclaimed Sephardi actor/filmmaker, will be recognized with ASF's Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award at the Opening Night Gala on March 16. Elkabetz has won three Ophir Awards (the Israeli equivalent of the Oscars), the 2010 France Culture Award at the Cannes Film Festival, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Israeli Film Academy.

This year's themes include a special focus on the Jews of Morocco as part of ASF's year-long series, "2,000 Years of Jewish Life in Morocco: An Epic Journey." The series is being presented under the High Patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, and made possible through the generous support of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation.

The American Sephardi Federation is committed to exhibiting a select international slate of feature films and documentaries specifically chosen for their thought-provoking examination of the past and exploration of contemporary Sephardic issues and identity.

A full listing of films and ticket information is available at sephardicfilmfest.org. All screenings will take place at the Center for Jewish History (except where noted). Group sales discounts are available (excluding the Opening and Closing night receptions). Information about the American Sephardi Federation is available by visiting americansephardifederation.org.

The Festival is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and the New York State Council on the Arts. Special thanks goes to the Brenner Family Foundation, the Kumble Cultural Fund, and the Selz Family Cultural Fund for their generous contributions in support of the program.

Further information about the festival and ASF is available by contacting Lynne Winters at 212.294.8350 x.2 or lmwinters@.cjh.org.

“The Golden Beggar” a competition among local European television stations and producers who come from widely varied backgrounds – they work independently, or with local media outlets, or are young producers just starting out.

Festival  annually brings a unique program premieres, which you will not see elsewhere. Come and see the original films, which are not in normal distribution.

Festival has three parts: non-competitive festival of films under the title "Europe on the screen”, the competitive part “Golden Beggar” and supporting events called “Essence of Kosice”. Also included are business meetings, workshops, presentations, exhibitions, concerts and multimedia happenings. In addition, the Festival, in cooperation with foreign partners, will introduce new trends in media, e.g. media literacy projects or participatory projects in 2012. The Festival is also one of the flagship projects for the year 2013, when the city of Košice becomes a European Capital of Culture.