PB Film Fest Announces Special Guests

ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – February 2, 2023) "Experience the Magic of Cinema" is the slogan of a major new cultural event: The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Film Festival© Presented by MorseLife. Offering dozens of unique features, documentaries, and short films from 20 different countries, the inaugural festival has a truly international focus, celebrating cinematic excellence and reflecting a commitment to global diversity.
 
From its January 26 Opening Night screening of the French comedy TWO TICKETS TO GREECE at the Kravis Center Cohen Pavilion, which was attended by director Marc Fitoussi, to the February 16 Closing Night film PEACE BY CHOCOLATE at the CMX Downtown in Palm Beach Gardens—and at various screenings in between—The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Film Festival is welcoming Special Guests, including both distinguished directors and performers.

Following is a List of the Festival’s upcoming Special Guests:
 
Palm Beach County Premiere   
ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY    
(Documentary—USA—2022)                                           
Beyond outrageous fashions, this film is a journey across three decades of the International Male catalog's lasting impact on fashion, masculinity, and gay rights. Written by Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jones and narrated by Matt Bomer, this is a character-driven portrait of a group of outsiders who changed how men and the world viewed them. (Tribeca 2022 World Premiere)
Special Guest: Film Director Jesse Finley Reed
+ February 4, 4:00 pm – CMX at the Gardens
+ February 6, 4:00 pm – Regal Royal Palm

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LOVE & MATHEMATICS

Palm Beach Premiere   
CALENDAR GIRLS     
(Documentary—Sweden—2022)
This “coming-of-golden-age” film follows senior volunteer dancers in Southwest Florida, who are determined to prove that age is just a number. The dancers give it all they’ve got: impressive makeup, handmade costumes, elaborate dance routines, unparalleled enthusiasm, and sparkling personalities. (Sundance Film Festival, Hot Docs Film Festival, Bergamo Film Festival Audience Award Best Documentary)
Special Guest: Calendar Girl Cindy Bailey
+ February 4, 1:30 pm – CMX at the Gardens
+ February 7, 1:00 pm – Regal Royal Palm
 
DARRYL JONES: IN THE BLOOD 
(Documentary—USA—2022)                                                                                               
Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones reflects on growing up on the South Side of Chicago, playing alongside Miles Davis, Madonna, and Sting, and replacing Bill Wyman in the World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band. (Oxford International Film Festival, Best Documentary Feature; Rome Independent Film Festival)
Special Guests: Darryl Jones will attend the February 3 screening; Director Eric Hamburg will be there on February 12 and 13.
+ February 3, 7:00 pm – CMX at the Gardens
+ February 12, 4:00 pm – Paragon Theaters in Delray Beach
+ February 13, 4:00 pm – CMX Wellington
 
Palm Beach County Premiere   
iMORDECAI  
(Feature—USA—2022)                                                                                                
Based on a true story, this heart-warming and uplifting comedy stars Oscar-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning actor Judd Hirsch, as Mordecai Samel. He and his wife, played by Academy Award-nominated actress Carol Kane, are both survivors from Poland, now living in Miami. When Mordecai's ancient flip phone breaks, he takes iPhone lessons from a young employee of Ultratech, who opens him up to all kinds of novel experiences and adventures, making him feel like a kid again. The film co-stars Sean Astin, Azia Dibea Hale, and Stephanie J. Block. (Audience Award Miami Jewish Film Festival)
Special Guests:  Director Marvin Samel and actor Azia Dinea
+ February 9, 7:00 pm – Paragon Theaters in Delray Beach
 
Florida Premiere   
LOVE & MATHEMATICS  
(Feature—Mexico—2022)                                                                          
This is a tale of longing, reconnection, and disconnection. Billy, a former boy band quasi–pop star, is now a dutiful stay-at-home dad, frustrated by the lack of fulfillment in his comfortable life. He's someone who's out of touch, especially with himself. Mónica, a mild-mannered new neighbor, is a former devoted fan. Monica's adoration reminds Billy of what his life used to be as a performer, with fans feeding his ego. It also reminds him of his passion for music, and he begins to play his guitar again. 
Special Guest: Sandro Florin, CEO of FiGa Films, the movie’s distributor
+ February 8, 4:00 pm – CMX at the Gardens
+ February 8, 7:00 pm – Regal Royal Palm
 
Palm Beach County Premiere
PEACE BY CHOCOLATE / Closing Night Film
(Feature—Canada—2021)
This a heartwarming tale about Syrian refugees in Canada. After the bombing of his family's chocolate factory, Tareq Hadhad (played by Ayham Abou Ammar), a charming young Syrian refugee, struggles to settle into small-town life in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Despite moving to a new country, he's intent on pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. But when his father, Issam (Hatem Ali), insists that he must focus on survival, Tareq and his family move towards a different but familiar path: rebuilding his father's chocolate business. When what seemed like a nostalgic attempt to cling onto remnants of an old life past becomes an overnight sensation, Tareq is shocked. Put in the role of business manager, he must choose between the demands of an exponentially growing business and an offer to go back to medical school. As father and son struggle to find common ground and navigate the complexities of family duty, the heightened tension between them threatens to tear the family apart.
Special Guests: Director Jonathan Keijser and Tareq Hadhad
+ February 16, 7:00 pm – CMX at the Gardens
 
Florida Premiere
RALLY CAPS   
(Feature—USA—2021)                                                                                         
A heartfelt coming-of-age story for the entire family starring Judd Hirsch, Amy Smart, and former Major League Baseball player Curtis Pride. Based on true events, the film focuses on Jordy, who must overcome a serious injury he experiences during a Little League baseball tryout. (Heartland winner Film Festival Audience Choice Award)
Special Guests: Producer Katherine Borda, actors Colten & Noelle Pride, and co-authors Jodi Cutler and Stephen Cutler
+ February 5, 1:30 pm – CMX at the Gardens
 
For a full list of participating theaters and scheduled movies at the upcoming The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Film Festival, request a DMEPBFF brochure, or to become a member of the Festival Film Society, please call 561.867.3109 or visit DMEPBFF.org.

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