The Boston Palestine Film Festival opened with an intense set of films on October 4th at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston. The festival, in its second year, screened over 60 films in seven venues throughout the Greater Boston area to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nakba, the beginning of the Palestinian refugee crisis spawned by the 1948 Palestine War. At the MFA, the presentation was decidedly unfussy, and the films were preceded by a serious discussion of the film, Maria’s Grotto.

The Boston Jewish Film Festival (BJFF), held from November 5-16, celebrates its 20th year with over 60 screenings and 35 panelists in nine locations. This year, under the guidance of new artistic director, Noa Rembiszewski, the festival embarks upon an ambitious program with the overarching theme of viewpoints from Generation X.

Heath Eiden, director and co-producer of Dean and Me: Roadshow of an American Primary, loaded up his car and followed Vermont Governor Howard Dean on the campaign trail for the 2004 presidency. It was only patriotic, says Eiden. He laughs as he admits this, knowing that, especially lately, it’s a loaded word: a reality that attests to the timely release of his film. After six years of fulfilling his patriotic duty, from poring over footage to struggling to find the money to finish the piece, the documentary is finally complete.

Giving a guest lecture at New York University some years ago, I stood before a class of 62 people and posited the question, “Who among you wants to begin their film careers as directors?” Sixty people raised their hands. The two that did not raise their hands drew my interest. Upon asking them what they had planned, one said that he wanted to edit films and the other said that he planned on becoming a screenwriter.

Let’s say after watching a particularly good or bad acting performance you say to yourself, “I could do that.” Well, maybe you could, but where and how would you start?

In an era when the failings of our credit and mortgage system have led to an international crisis not seen since the Great Depression, the sunny Leave it to Beaver mythology of the post-WWII American family and its idyllic lifestyle seems but a distant dream. And yet the fantasy of the nuclear family happily dwelling in their suburban tract houses dominated the American cultural and psychic landscape for at least two generations. Cindy Kleine’s Phyllis and Harold is one of several early 21st century films to confront this mythology head on.

The influx of regional film production has increased the demand for local crews, actors, actresses and equipment -- including lighting gear. Kaye Lites, which has provided lighting, grip, and expendables for over 19 years, has responded by expanding its warehouse space, opening the ASAP Supply Store in Woburn, MA, and devoting a unique space for customers to hang out and try new equipment.