MORSELIFE CONTRIBUTES TO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY

In the early days of the pandemic, Donald M. Ephraim created a virtual festival of exceptional films for MorseLife residents to enjoy in the comfort and safety of their homes.

Last year, MorseLife began sharing award-winning films with the community as part of the Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival. The Festival’s Associate Founder Terri C. Sriberg is the curator of the remarkable collection of fine art on our campus.

This year’s 2024 festival, which represents a major contribution to the cultural life of Palm Beach County, just concluded with screenings at the Kravis Center and EVO Entertainment at Delray Marketplace.

The Audience Award was given to the documentary God & Country. The film by Oscar®-nominated producer Rob Reiner and Emmy®-nominated director Dan Partland offers a wide-ranging look at the historical roots and dangers of merging religion and politics.

The Canadian film Less Than Kosher, which served as the Festival’s centerpiece, received honorable mention. Shaina Silver-Baird, who stars in this rollicking music-filled comedy, performed as part of the centerpiece’s festivities.

Director Mike Cheslick’s comedy Hundreds of Beavers also received honorable mention in its Palm Beach County premiere. The wacky comedy is an extravagant homage to Looney Tunes cartoons and silent film comedy with a crazed spirit of wickedness all its own.

Now in its sophomore year, the SASIFF is overseen by Artistic Director Barbara Scharres, the former director of programming at the Gene Siskel Film Center at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.