Beautiful Music, The First Documentary Short Subject Produced By The Wiesenthal Center?s Film Division, Moriah Films, Voted ?Best Documentary? At The Hollywood Film Festival

October 24, 2005

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, THE FIRST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT PRODUCED BY THE WIESENTHAL CENTER’S FILM DIVISION, MORIAH FILMS, VOTED "BEST DOCUMENTARY" AT THE HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL

Beautiful Music, a production of Moriah Films, the Jack and Pearl Resnick Film Division of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, was the winner of the Hollywood Discovery Award for Best Documentary last night at the Hollywood Film Festival.

Narrated by Brooke Shields, Beautiful Music is the remarkable story of Devorah Schramm, an American-born, Orthodox Jewish pianist and composer who, after relocating to Israel, taught piano to a 9-year old blind and severely autistic Palestinian girl, Rasha Hamid, in the worst days of the Intifada. This heartwarming true story of the dedication of a teacher to her student is a snapshot of what is possible when peace finally comes to the Middle East. It is a testimony to the human spirit and to the incredible talents and resources that Israel has to offer and is eager to share with the entire region.

"We are gratified that the film’s message of peace and coexistence is being recognized by the Hollywood Film Festival and our hope is for this to be seen by a wider audience," said Richard Trank, who directed the film and co-produced with Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of the Wiesenthal Center.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310-553-9036.