DM Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival© Welcomes 160 to Sold-Out Screening of BELLA!

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - July 30, 2024 - PRLog -- (West Palm Beach, FL – July 29, 2024) The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival© Presented by MorseLife (SASIFF) welcomed 160 movie fans to a special summer screening of BELLA!, an award-winning documentary about trailblazing Congresswoman Bella Abzug. Held at Cinemark Boynton Beach 14, the sold-out event was held on July 24, the 104th anniversary of Bella's birth.

The 2022 winner of the Library of Congress/Ken Burns Prize for Film, BELLA! celebrates the fiery feminist who entered Congress in 1970 ready for a fight. With her trademark hat and Bronx swagger, Bella Abzug upended the Washington patriarchy, battling for women's equality, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ protections. Jeff L. Lieberman, the writer-director of BELLA!, attended the special screening and participated in a lively Q&A with the audience.

"We are thrilled to see the overwhelming response to BELLA! This documentary not only celebrates the life and legacy of an extraordinary artist but also enriches the cultural landscape of Palm Beach County. It's a testament to our community's deep appreciation for the arts and its power to inspire and transform lives," said SASIFF Founder Donald M. Ephraim. "I can only imagine what a firebrand like Bella Abzug would make of this election year and our hope is that this special summer screening sparked audience interest on both sides of the political aisle."

"The sold-out show of BELLA! marks a significant milestone for our festival and the broader arts community in Palm Beach County. Jeff Lieberman's documentary beautifully captures the essence of Bella's impact, and it's heartening to see our audience so engaged. This event highlights the importance of supporting and showcasing compelling stories that resonate with our cultural values," added Festival Co-Founder Terri C. Sriberg.

"The strong, positive audience response to this screening is exactly what we hope to replicate many times over when The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival© returns early next year for 11 days of sensational films that reflect and enhance the human spirit," said Keith A. Myers, President and CEO of the Festival's presenting sponsor MorseLife Health System.

Attached Images:

(IDs are L-R / Photo Credit: Kristen Evans)

1.   BELLA! Director Jeff L. Lieberman with Barbara Scharres, Artistic Director of The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival (SASIFF)

2.   Allison Hayford, SASIFF Development Officer; Nathalie Glaze, Festival Manager; Jeff L. Lieberman, Director of BELLA!; Trisha Hewes, MorseLife Health System General Counsel, SVP-Public Affairs & Marketing; and SASIFF Artistic Director Barbara Scharres

3.   Bob & Sheila Jaffe at SASIFF summer screening of BELLA!

4.   SASIFF audience at Cinemark Boynton Beach 14 for summer screening of BELLA!

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS

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gary@pr-bs.net