MOVIES: Las Vegas’ longest-running film festival sets January lineup

Film festivals come and film festivals go, yet the Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival has quietly but steadily become Southern Nevada's longest-running cinematic celebration.

Marking its 10th anniversary Jan. 15-30, the festival will feature 17 narrative and documentary films from around the world, reflecting an eclectic focus that stretches from Hollywood to the Holocaust, gangsters to baseball stars.

Among the highlights: the acclaimed documentaries "Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story," "Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg" and "A Film Unfinished," plus "127 Hours' " James Franco as Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in "Howl" and late great local Tony Curtis as notorious mobster Louis Buchalter, better known as "Lepke."

Comedies and dramas from Israel's flowering film industry also turn up, along with contributions from Europe, South America and points between.

Featured titles may have Jewish themes, but the festival — produced by the Desert Space Foundation and Jewish Family Service Agency — is designed to appeal to everyone who loves movies. 

In addition to the festival's home base at the Adelson Educational Campus, festival presentations will be shown at Cinemark's Suncoast and South Point theaters, UNLV's Greenspun Hall, downtown Las Vegas' Historic Fifth Street School and Brenden Theatres at the Palms.

Some screenings during the two-week festival are free of charge; most other screenings are $10.

Full schedule and ticket information is available on line at www.jfsalv.org; watch the Review-Journal for additional festival information.