By Eva Trieger
ENCINITAS, California — Though I did not get to meet Joyce Axelrod face to face, I had the distinct impression from our phone interview that this was one vivacious lady, who loved to experience life and share it with others. I didn’t pick this up solely from the conversation, but also from the content of our discussion.
Joyce has been involved with the San Diego Jewish Film Festival since 1987, when she and Lynette Allen, the JCC Director of Culture, showed films as part of a series. Even then, she had her finger on the pulse of what would bolster attendance and how to entice viewers and sponsors to make a commitment to this important San Diego happening. From a gymnasium to Sherwood Hall, and finally to five separate venues spanning the county, the San Diego Jewish Film Festival has grown exponentially and harnessed a diverse following for its disparate selection of movies. Comedy, drama, and documentary are all showcased in the Joyce Forum.
A videographer herself, Joyce Axelrod admires the attraction of a short film. Over the years her panel of experts has morphed from just herself to a small committee of about seven people who view nearly 90 short films, culling the best for the Forum. This year’s San Diego Jewish Film Festival’s 25th anniversary celebration broadened the Joyce Forum into ten programs of award winning short films, running throughout the day on February 9th.
The films are often Jewish-themed, but are not limited to this category. Joyce told me that she enjoys indy films as well as live theater. Joyce and her husband are devotees of the Cygnet Theater Company, and eschew the blockbuster films for the independent movies which provide a novel execution and new ideas.
When asked how she felt about selecting provocative films or controversial themes, Joyce told me that the committee “agonized over whether or not we should show it” and the determining factors were: “subject matter, production value, whether it was memorable or impactful, and democracy ruled.” If a film met these criteria, it was selected.
My subject’s own video experience date back to her camcorder experiences as a classroom teacher and subsequent documentaries about women. Axelrod has made small documentaries for nonprofit groups throughout the years. These can be seen on her webpage: www.joyceaxelrod.com.
I queried Joyce on what she hoped the audiences would take away from the Joyce Forum, and was told, “that short films are highly enjoyable.” After attending the Joyce Forum for the past three years, I can’t imagine anyone leaving disgruntled. The Joyce Forum strives to showcase local filmmakers such as Susan Schutz, Nicole Opper and Sophie Tuttleman.
The end of our conversation left me with the sense that I was talking to a well-mannered tempest. There is a decidedly provocative and envelope-pushing quality to Joyce Axelrod. All suspicions were confirmed when, after the interview, she sent me an irreverent and hilarious one-minute short film of her own, that she’d posted on YouTube. If you want a rich belly laugh, for a very small investment of time….check it out! (https://www.youtube.com/user/axelrodj?feature=em-share_video_user)
Festival tickets may be purchased through the box office www.sdjff.org or by phone 858.362.1348.
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Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. Your comment may be posted in the space below or sent to eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com