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Festival moving forward following controversy surrounding the Tricycle Theatre.

The UK Jewish Film Festival (Ukjff) is preparing to host its “strongest ever” run, according to founder and executive director Judy Ironside.

The festival made headlines in August when London’s Tricycle Theatre refused to be part of the upcoming event, which runs Nov 6-23. This was due to Ukjff being part-funded by the Israeli Embassy, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The theatre quickly reversed the ruling and invited back the Ukjff “with no restrictions on funding”.

But before the u-turn – and with 26 screenings already planned for the festival’s 18th edition - Ironside had to find new venues fast.

“We were very surprised,” said Ironside, who created the festival in 1997. “It has been the home of the festival for many years…it’s a great space and we love the venue.

“We would never have wished for this to happen, but I think...

Now entering its third year, Packed to the Rafters has become the Seven Network’s flagship drama. Its creators told Eleeza Hooker that making a hit TV show might be difficult, but maintaining it over the years is even harder.

The series, about a couple whose adult children come back to live at the family home, has been a hit with audiences, averaging 1.9m viewers in 2008 and 2009 – with a peak of 2.07m for Episode 41, a number surpassed only by Nine’s Underbelly.

The concept was developed by series creator and network script executive Bevan Lee, producer Jo Porter and script producer Anthony Ellis. Together, they’re in charge of keeping the series going.

“It’s a nice problem to have to maintain a hit show. As you keep going through stories, it becomes harder and harder,” said Porter.

According to Porter, Rafters is a valuable property for the network, and...

Dan Wolman's Tied Hands, the account of a mother and her son who is dying of AIDS, was named best feature film at the 12th annual Palm Beach International Film Festival, which wrapped Thursday.

Nicole van Kilsdonk was hailed as best feature film director for the comedy Johan, while the award for best screenplay went to Scott Dacko for The Insurgents, starring Henry Simmons, John Shea and Mary Stuart Masterson.

Two performers were recognized with an award for best performance in a feature film: Christopher Plummer for Man in the Chair and Gila Almagor for Tied Hands.

A special jury prize for best feature went to Maurice Richard/The Rocket. In addition the jury chose to recognize the cast of Adrift in Manhattan, which includes Heather Graham, William Baldwin, Dominic Chianese, Victor Rasuk and Graham Gremm with a special ensemble award for their "mesmerizing and haunting performances."

Ray McCormack's A Crude Awakening - The Oil Crash was named best documentary feature. Lawrence Walsh's Cold Kenya took the prize for best short film.

Audience choice awards were presented to Evan Lieberman's Kathie T., best feature film; Logan Smalley's Darius Goes West - The Roll of His Life, best documentary feature; and Ziv Alexandrony's And Behold, There Came a Great Wind, best short film.