Syracuse Film Fest presents benefit screening of “39 Pounds of Love” in recognition of National Disabilities Awareness Month

Syracuse Film Fest presents benefit screening of “39 Pounds of Love” in recognition of National Disabilities Awareness MonthOctober 04, 2005Jaime Winne Alvarez jlwinne@syr.edu

The Syracuse International Film and Video Festival (SIFVF) will present a special fundraiser, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., at the Palace Theater, 2384 James St., Syracuse. The event will feature Dani Menkin’s film “39 Pounds of Love,” a heart-warming, 70-minute documentary about Ami Ankilewitz. Ankilewitz was born with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and doctors predicted he would not live beyond the age of 6. Today, at age 34 and able to move only one finger, Ankilewitz works as a computer animator in Israel. The film draws its title from Ankilewitz’ weight as an adult. The film is being presented in recognition of National Disabilities Awareness Month, and the event’s honorary chair is Syracuse University School of Education Dean Douglas Biklen.

Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students/seniors and may be purchased at the door. Free Centro bus transportation, sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, will be available to and from campus to the Palace Theater. Buses depart at 6:30 p.m., from the bus stop located on the corner of Comstock and Euclid Avenues (next to Shaw Hall), with a 9:15 p.m. return from the Palace.

The film was originally presented as part of the pre-festival events during the 2005 SIFVF, in April. At this event, filmmaker Dani Menkin and Ankilewitz will be present to meet attendees and participate in a discussion following the screening. There will also be a reception and show of Ankilewitz’ art in the Palace Theater Cafe. The film has been captioned for the hearing impaired and live interpretation will be provided, sponsored in part by SU’s Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee.

The event is sponsored by SIFVF, a production of Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact, in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of the School of Education, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Transmedia in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the SU Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee, Department of Neurology at Upstate Medical University, LeMoyne College, Cazenovia College Human Services Club, Cresthill Suites and the Syracuse New Times.

The fundraiser is part of a year-round community outreach program for the SIFVF. The festival will mark its third year with the 2006 SIFVF, which will take place April 6-9, 2006, at various locations in Syracuse. Details about the festival areavailable at http://www.syrfilmfest.com.

For more information, contact Steve Becker, marketing and publicity director, at (315) 622-2249; or Christine Fawcett, managing director, at (315) 443-2247.