About Us
Introducing the Inaugural The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Film Festival©
presented by MorseLife
Our Mission
The mission of THE DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© presented by MorseLife is to bring highly anticipated, critically acclaimed and thought-provoking films to Palm Beach County. This festival will present these films alongside exclusive events with actors, directors, and industry guests. The festival’s aim is to showcase Palm Beach as a diverse and cosmopolitan community. As a world-class film festival, THE DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© represents a major contribution to the cultural life of Palm Beach County.
Festival 2023
In late January-early February, THE DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© will offer approximately 75 film screenings in this inaugural festival, fostering dialogue and interaction among our attendees and supporters.
We will strive to bring the work of both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world to this festival. The festival will foster collaboration with community partners, diverse populations and student filmmakers so that we can bring a mix voices and perspectives to our film discussions and panels.
The inaugural DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© is proudly presented by MorseLife Health System. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity and compassion for nearly 40 years and currently serves more than 3,600 seniors daily on its campus in West Palm Beach and through its community outreach programs. With films that reflect its values and commitment to enhancing the lives of the seniors, the festival supports MorseLife’s mission to enrich lives, uplift minds and touch hearts.
Donald M. Ephraim, for whom the festival is named, retired to North Palm Beach in the late 1990s. After spending most of his life as a lawyer in Chicago representing some of the city’s biggest and brightest celebrities, including famous film critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. For many years Ephraim funded and significantly guided the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, where he helped in the creation and funding of the forward-leaning Institute for Cultural Advancement and the Donald M. Ephraim Family Gallery.
Founding Festival Director Ellen Wedner has been a fixture in the South Florida arts and non-profit community for over 20 years. She directed the Miami Jewish Film Festival, voted Best Film Festival 2009 by Miami New Times, for ten years before becoming the Festival Director of the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival for seven years. Wedner’s passion for film led her to create two film festivals in the Miami area: KidFlix Festival for children ages 2-12 and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (now Outshine Film Festival). Previously, Wedner served as Managing Director of the Miami International Film Festival overseeing all operations such as guest relations, special events, and the technical aspect of screenings. Also notable was her role as Artistic Director of the Fire Island Pines International Film Festival in 2010 and 2011. Ms. Wedner is thrilled to be working with Don Ephraim and MorseLife to present a world-class film festival to residents and visitors of Palm Beach County.
About Us
Introducing the Inaugural The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Film Festival©
presented by MorseLife
Our Mission
The mission of THE DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© presented by MorseLife is to bring highly anticipated, critically acclaimed and thought-provoking films to Palm Beach County. This festival will present these films alongside exclusive events with actors, directors, and industry guests. The festival’s aim is to showcase Palm Beach as a diverse and cosmopolitan community. As a world-class film festival, THE DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© represents a major contribution to the cultural life of Palm Beach County.
Festival 2023
In late January-early February, THE DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© will offer approximately 75 film screenings in this inaugural festival, fostering dialogue and interaction among our attendees and supporters.
We will strive to bring the work of both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world to this festival. The festival will foster collaboration with community partners, diverse populations and student filmmakers so that we can bring a mix voices and perspectives to our film discussions and panels.
The inaugural DONALD M. EPHRAIM PALM BEACH FILM FESTIVAL© is proudly presented by MorseLife Health System. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity and compassion for nearly 40 years and currently serves more than 3,600 seniors daily on its campus in West Palm Beach and through its community outreach programs. With films that reflect its values and commitment to enhancing the lives of the seniors, the festival supports MorseLife’s mission to enrich lives, uplift minds and touch hearts.
Donald M. Ephraim, for whom the festival is named, retired to North Palm Beach in the late 1990s. After spending most of his life as a lawyer in Chicago representing some of the city’s biggest and brightest celebrities, including famous film critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. For many years Ephraim funded and significantly guided the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, where he helped in the creation and funding of the forward-leaning Institute for Cultural Advancement and the Donald M. Ephraim Family Gallery.
Founding Festival Director Ellen Wedner has been a fixture in the South Florida arts and non-profit community for over 20 years. She directed the Miami Jewish Film Festival, voted Best Film Festival 2009 by Miami New Times, for ten years before becoming the Festival Director of the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival for seven years. Wedner’s passion for film led her to create two film festivals in the Miami area: KidFlix Festival for children ages 2-12 and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (now Outshine Film Festival). Previously, Wedner served as Managing Director of the Miami International Film Festival overseeing all operations such as guest relations, special events, and the technical aspect of screenings. Also notable was her role as Artistic Director of the Fire Island Pines International Film Festival in 2010 and 2011. Ms. Wedner is thrilled to be working with Don Ephraim and MorseLife to present a world-class film festival to residents and visitors of Palm Beach County.
Let’s Go to the Movies!
Top 8 Reasons MorseLife Presents The DONALD M. EPHRAIM Film Festival
MorseLife is
Enjoy MORE personal films.
Festival selections may tackle subjects that are personally relevant to you and your forebears.
Nurture MORE talent.
With an eye toward the future of cinema, film festivals attract and engage exciting new filmmaking talent from around the world.
Learn MORE about the world.
Our curated selection of films tells stories that can open our eyes to events in the world’s most remote corners.
Get MORE social.
Like-minded movie buffs enjoy attending screenings, festival events, and film-related gatherings.
View MORE global films.
Comprised of various voices in different languages, film festival selections often explore universal themes through a global lens.
Become MORE of an insider.
Film festivals are known among movie buffs and industry leaders as the place to meet and hear about what’s new and exciting.
Celebrate MORE diversity.
By watching their stories unfold on the screen, we gain an appreciation of cultures dramatically different from our own.
Enjoy MORE life at MorseLife.
In many ways, the film festival supports MorseLife’s mission to enrich lives, uplift minds, and touch the hearts of seniors.
Let’s Go to the Movies!
Top 8 Reasons MorseLife Presents The DONALD M. EPHRAIM Film Festival
MorseLife is
Enjoy MORE personal films.
Festival selections may tackle subjects that are personally relevant to you and your forebears.
Nurture MORE talent.
With an eye toward the future of cinema, film festivals attract and engage exciting new filmmaking talent from around the world.
Learn MORE about the world.
Our curated selection of films tells stories that can open our eyes to events in the world’s most remote corners.
Get MORE social.
Like-minded movie buffs enjoy attending screenings, festival events, and film-related gatherings.
View MORE global films.
Comprised of various voices in different languages, film festival selections often explore universal themes through a global lens.
Become MORE of an insider.
Film festivals are known among movie buffs and industry leaders as the place to meet and hear about what’s new and exciting.
Celebrate MORE diversity.
By watching their stories unfold on the screen, we gain an appreciation of cultures dramatically different from our own.
Enjoy MORE life at MorseLife.
In many ways, the film festival supports MorseLife’s mission to enrich lives, uplift minds, and touch the hearts of seniors.
Enjoy MORE personal films.
Festival selections may tackle subjects that are personally relevant to you and your forebears.
Learn MORE about the world.
Our curated selection of films tells stories that can open our eyes to events in the world’s most remote corners.
View MORE global films.
Comprised of various voices in different languages, film festival selections often explore universal themes through a global lens.
Celebrate MORE diversity.
By watching their stories unfold on the screen, we gain an appreciation of cultures dramatically different from our own.
Nurture MORE talent.
With an eye toward the future of cinema, film festivals attract and engage exciting new filmmaking talent from around the world.
Get MORE social.
Like-minded movie buffs enjoy attending screenings, festival events, and film-related gatherings.
Become MORE of an insider.
Film festivals are known among movie buffs and industry leaders as the place to meet and hear about what’s new and exciting.
Enjoy MORE life at MorseLife.
In many ways, the film festival supports MorseLife’s mission to enrich lives, uplift minds, and touch the hearts of seniors.
SCREENING COMMITTEE
FESTIVAL FOUNDER & CO-CHAIR
DONALD M. EPHRAIM
CO-CHAIR
MIK CRIBBEN
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
DAVID
COHEN
MARJIE
COOPERSMITH
NICK
MARTIN
DEANIE
MELNIKER
TERRI
SRIBERG
CLAIRE
TORNAY
STAFF
ELLEN WEDNER
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
