Please note: My Name Is Sara includes depictions of violence and some sexual content.

A quick intro and welcome to the festival from "My Name Is Sara" director Steven Oritt.

Introductory comments from "My Name Is Sara" director Steven Oritt

My Name Is Sara tells the true story of Sara Goralnik, a 13-year-old Polish Jew whose entire family was killed by Nazis in September of 1942. After a grueling escape to the Ukrainian countryside, Sara steals her Christian best friend's identity and finds refuge in a small village, where she is taken in by a farmer and his young wife. She soon discovers the dark secrets of her employers’ marriage, compounding her own greatest secret: her true identity.

My Name Is Sara

"My Name Is Sara" tells the true story of Sara Goralnik, a 13-year-old Polish Jew whose entire family was killed by Nazis in September of 1942.

Festival co-chair Neal Schindler talked with My Name Is Sara director Steven Oritt about the casting and making of the film, how he discovered the real Sara's story, and the ways in which his documentary background influenced his narrative feature debut. <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/bdc6de06fea7255e956b04cd514cb25d.jpg" width="239"> <a href="https://www.stevenoritt.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Steven Oritt</a>’s directing background began in music videos, working with the likes of the Foo Fighters, Muse, OneRepublic, Pete Yorn and Paulina Rubio. From there, he moved into the documentary world with his feature-length debut&nbsp;American Native; the story of a reclusive tribe of Indians living 30 minutes from New York City in the hills of New Jersey. The film appeared at 13 international festivals earning 4 best documentary awards.&nbsp;American Native&nbsp;was acquired by Indican Pictures who released the doc in 2015 on all digital/DVD platforms. Steven then launched James Lucy Productions, whose first project was the documentary short&nbsp;Kid Yamaka, an intimate profile of troubled boxer Zachary Wohlman and his path to redemption through boxing, Judaism and sobriety. The film was selected to the Academy Award qualifying Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival, as well as DOC NYC – and was later acquired by Vice’s Fightland Channel. Currently, James Lucy is developing an episodic series for AMC Studios, about a notorious crime family from El Paso, Texas whose quest for the American Dream fueled a 1970’s drug empire; as well as producing Steven’s narrative feature debut,&nbsp;My Name is Sara. The film appeared in over 25 festivals internationally, taking home 5 best feature awards.&nbsp;My Name is Sara&nbsp;was acquired by Strand Releasing in late 2019 and was set for a summer 2020 theatrical release, which has been postponed for now due to the COVID crisis. Steven’s follow-up documentary&nbsp;Accidental Climber, fresh off a year-long festival run, was recently acquired by Vision Films, who will be releasing it on all North American digital/DVD platforms on August 11, 2020. The film looks at one man’s attempt to become the oldest American to climb Mt. Everest – what ensued was the worst disaster in mountaineering history, leaving 16 climbers dead in a tragic avalanche.

Q&A with "My Name Is Sara" director Steven Oritt (recorded)

Festival co-chair Neal Schindler talked with "My Name Is Sara" director Steven Oritt about the casting and making of the film, how he discovered the real Sara's story, and the ways in which his documentary background influenced his narrative feature debut.

My Name Is Sara (with filmmaker introduction and Q&A)

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If you have any questions about the festival, please call 509-747-7394 or email director@sajfs.org. We hope you enjoy!

Since 2005, the Spokane Jewish Cultural Film Festival has brought to Spokane international films that share Jewish life and culture with the community. We continue this year with seven features and two shorts that offer fascinating glimpses into the diversity of Jewish experiences around the world.

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? No sweat. Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.