(West Palm Beach, FL – January 22, 2025) The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival© (SASIFF), presented by MorseLife, returns for its third season with screenings at the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (Jan. 23-Jan. 30, 2025) and EVO Entertainment Delray Marketplace (Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2025). Among the more than two-dozen world-class movies from all over the world is the historical drama NEVER ALONE, which was just named one of the “Best of the Fest” following its North American premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

“From ‘the Finnish Steven Spielberg’ Klaus Härö, NEVER ALONE shines a light on the powerful true story of Jewish refugees seeking sanctuary in Finland and the unwavering hero who risked everything to protect them,” says Barbara Scharres, SASIFF Artistic Director. “In addition, the film recently opened Number One at the box office in Finland.”

NEVER ALONE

(El Koskaan Yskin)

(Drama, 2025, North Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Klaus Härö. Finland, 85-minues – In Swedish, Yiddish, Russian, Hebrew, English, Finnish, and German with English subtitles.)

Many heroes of Jewish resistance to the Nazis are still relatively unknown decades after WWII. In the hands of director Härö (The Fencer), the story of a risky maneuver by Jewish Helsinki businessman Abraham Stiller to save the lives of eight refugees comes to the screen with immense heart and impressive period veracity. Even as Finland appeared to be a haven for Jews fleeing the Nazis, the government forms an alliance with Nazi Germany against Russia. Stiller, wealthy, respected, and well-connected in political circles, calls in every favor and puts his life, reputation and business on the line to mount a clandestine mission to save the eight Jewish men scheduled for deportation to a death camp. Co-starring Ville Virtane and Karl Hietalahti. 

The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center

Tuesday, January 28, 7 pm

“NEVER ALONE is one of 10 Jewish-themed films with broad appeal, from historical dramas, biopics, comedies and of-the-moment documentaries, that will be shown during the upcoming Sun & Stars International Film Festival including AUCTION, BAD SHABBOS, BROKEN DOLLS, THE GLORY OF LIFE, MIDAS MAN, OF DOGS AND MEN, PINK LADY, TROLL STORM, and YANIV,” says Scharres.

For more information about the 27 international films that will be screened during SASIFF or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sasiff.org.

About The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival:

The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival©, presented by MorseLife, aims to bring highly anticipated, critically acclaimed, and thought-provoking films to Palm Beach County. As a world-class film festival, The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International represents a major contribution to the cultural life of Palm Beach County. SASIFF returns for a new season with screenings at the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (Jan. 23-Jan. 30, 2025) and EVO Entertainment Delray (Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2025). For more information, please visit www.sasiff.org, www.facebook.com/DME.SASIFF and www.twitter.com/dmesasiff or www.instagram.com/dme_sasiff or contact [email protected] or 561.220.6735.

About MorseLife:

MorseLife serves more than 3,600 seniors every day on its campus in West Palm Beach and through its community outreach programs. Founded in 1983, MorseLife is a provider of health care and residential services for seniors in Palm Beach County. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, its programs also include short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, independent and assisted living, memory care assisted living, hospice, home health care, care management, meals-on-wheels, and PACE. Since its beginnings, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity, and compassion. For more information, visit morselife.org, www.facebook.com/MorseLife, www.twitter.com/MorseLifeHealth, www.instagram.com/morselifehealth or www.linkedin.com/company/morselife-inc-/ or contact [email protected].

Attached Image:

(Photo Credit: Andres Teiss)

NEVER ALONE – Rinker Playhouse, January 28

Available for Interview:

Barbara Scharres, Artistic Director

The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival

773.875.0304

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS

561.756.4298

[email protected]