The 2016 Milman-Kover Jewish Film Festival will kick off with a showing of Wayne Kopping’s Beneath The Helmet (pictured) and close with Dani Menkin’s On The Map, which will premiere in Sarasota as a work in progress.  The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee announced this week that the event, scheduled for March 6 through 13, will include screenings throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“We plan to add matinee screenings at several local venues to make it easier for audiences to see all the films,” said Roz Goldberg, festival co-chair. “In addition, we planned exciting special events—and special guests—that will greatly enhance the festival experience." A complete list of films, times and locations will be released in January.

The festival is in its seventh year, according to Jeremy Lisitza, director of programs and administration for the Federation. He noted sponsorships for the festival are still available, and that anyone who wants to be listed as a sponsor in the program mailed to Federation members should sign up by the end of 2015. Sponsorships run $600 per couple, he said.

The first official event of the festival in 2016 will actually be the Russ and Daughters Brunch on Jan. 17, scheduled at 10:30am at Michael’s on East. The event will be catered by New York-based Russ and Daughters. Tickets cost $37.50 and can be purchased from the Jewish Federation. Tickets for films go on sale the next day, Jan. 18, at the Federation’s website.

Read an extended version at SRQ Backlot