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Teaneck International Film Festival Wraps Its 18th Anniversary Proving It's A Force of Unity and Reconciliation

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originally published: 11/16/2023


Teaneck International Film Festival Wraps Its 18th Anniversary Proving It

(TEANECK, NJ) -- Thousands of people from diverse backgrounds came to Teaneck to attend and celebrate "the film festival with a social conscience" with its permanent theme of Activism: Making Change. In a township that media has most recently portrayed as fractured by tensions in the Middle East the Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) proved that this community rises above divisiveness and in the spirit of the Teaneck tradition comes together even in the most challenging of times.

"We are not yet Utopia," said Teaneck’s first African American mayor, Bernard Brooks many years ago, "but we are striving to be one." Several decades later, we are proud of the fact that we are still trying and - in many ways – succeeding.

Rawda Elbatrawish and Liora Pelavin, two Teaneck High School students who have gained national attention for the work they are doing to build bridges and create positive dialogue on Israel-Palestine relationships, were honored by the festival with an “Excellence in Youth Leadership Award” during the centerpiece screening of the British film The Old Oak. The event, attended by four hundred patrons of diverse religions and ethnicities was held at Temple Emeth, and included Teaneck’s mayor, Michael Pagan; civil rights icon Theodora Smiley Lacey; members of the Eid Committee of New Jersey; the Imam from Teaneck’s largest mosque, Shaykh Waleed Elbatrawish. A food and wine reception, including halal and kosher foods from local Teaneck restaurants, was held prior to the screening.

Teaneck International Film Festival Wraps Its 18th Anniversary Proving It

TIFF’s Executive Director, Jeremy Lentz, said “The Old Oak couldn’t have been a more perfect fit because it is resolutely hopeful telling the tale of a community coming together and rising above its differences and prejudices when Syrian refugees move into town.”

In addition to the centerpiece screening, the festival featured of broad array of international films from countries including England, Israel, Pakistan, and Palestine. Topics dealt with the precipitous rise in anti-Semitism, the Palestinian day of mourning, the Holocaust, LGBTQ issues, health equity, women’s reproductive rights, and much more. The prolific 93-year-old African American Artist Faith Ringgold attended a screening of her documentary film Faith Ringgold: Tell It Like It Is.

Teaneck International Film Festival Wraps Its 18th Anniversary Proving It



 
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The festival closed on Sunday, November 19th with the screening of Bella!, the documentary on the life of US Congresswoman Bella Abzug, and included a talkback with NJ’s former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and filmmaker Jeff L. Lieberman.

Once again, and at a time when it is more important than ever before, the TIFF showed films and included talkbacks that inspire discussion, interest, awareness, activism, and action. There will be more in 2024. Stay tuned!

Teaneck International Film Festival Wraps Its 18th Anniversary Proving It

PHOTOS BY Ray Turkin Photography and Antoine Smith



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EVENT CALENDAR

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

Derek Hough - Symphony of Dance

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: dance


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Livingston Taylor & Lucy Kaplansky

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 7:30pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music


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Celtic Woman: Christmas Symphony Tour 2023

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music


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A Chanticleer Christmas

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 7:30pm
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)
One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079
category: music


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Pam Tillis & Phil Vassar

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


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ChrisMYSTERY: Suspicion at the Elf-Help Center

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 6:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: theatre


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George Street Playhouse presents "Having Our Say"

Thursday, November 30, 2023 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre


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Ted Leo Solo (Elk City to open)

Friday, December 01, 2023 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
category: music


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