Wonder of Women Film Festival returns

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WEST ORANGE, NJ — Many captivating stories will be presented at this year’s Wonder of Women Film Festival, sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section on Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Maurice Levin Theater on the Ross Family Campus of the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, 760 Northfield Ave. in West Orange. The 15th annual Wonder of Women Film Festival showcases the universal spirit and courage of women of all ages, manifested through short films and documentaries created by independent filmmakers. This one-day event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Featured at the festival this year will be director Elizabeth Rose, whose film, “Law of Averages,” explores the relationship of a young woman with her mother after the death of her grandmother. Rose will be available for a question-and-answer session after the viewing of her film.

The current film schedule includes: “Grandma Learns to Drive,” in which a determined 86-year-old grandma finally gets a license with help from her granddaughter; “Saving Nur,” in which 9-year-old Nur, who is afflicted with a rare genetic disease, has only one chance of survival: crossing the border from Gaza into Israel, where doctors are capable of performing a liver transplant; “Everybody Else is Taken,” in which Mika refuses to let her gender define her place in one of the harshest environments on Earth — the playground; “Law of Averages,” in which, following the death of her grandmother, a young woman and her mother must deal with their own relationship; and “al imam,” in which, despite controversy and threats, a Muslim spiritual leader takes a stand for justice through activism and the progressive practices of Islam.

“Each year the film festival brings to the screen thought-provoking, relevant and entertaining films by women that shed light on many aspects of women’s lives,” NCJW/Essex President Shari Harrison said in a press release. “We are extremely proud of our lineup this year.”

Admission is charged and includes a Kosher box lunch. Reservations are required. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the festival. For tickets and directions, call NCJW/Essex at 973-740-0588. Registration is available online at www.ncjwessex.org.

  JCC, NCJW