“The Albanian Code” Post Film Screening Discussion with filmmaker Yael Katzir, survivor Eni Altaratz Francis with her daughters Michal Kaplan and Lea Shani- and special guest Albanian Ambassador Floreta Faber

This post-film discussion will be offered live on Zoom.The film will be available to watch on Sunday March 14 and will expire on Tuesday, March 16.
To watch the film after Tuesday, March 16 CLICK HERE.

Classrooms Without Borders, in partnership with Rodef Shalom Congregation and the Mort Skirboll 2021 Jewish Film Festival of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, is honored to welcome filmmaker Yael Katzir, survivor Ennie Altaratz-Francis with her daughters, and Albanian Ambassador Floreta Faber to convene this post screening discussion.

The Albania Code features unique archival footage, unveiling the unknown story of rescuing thousands of Jewish refugees in Albania (Mostly Muslim state) in WWII. Ennie Altaratz-Francis, who was saved there escaping from Yugoslavia, decides to go to thank whoever she can. This voyage is full of surprises, discovering how an entire Nation saved refugees, bound by their Moral Code. At-last, the Albanians get the appreciation they deserve for being the only country in Europe that rescued the persecuted. The film carries a universal message of gratitude to human-values.

Professor Yael Katzir

Prof. Yael Katzir is an independent filmmaker and professor of film and history at the Art School at Beit Berl Academic College.

Yael Katzir was born in Tel Aviv in 1942 After completing the required training in the Israeli army, Yael served as an officer in the IDF until 1962. Studied at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, at UCLA, Los Angeles, California and received her Doctoral Degree in History. She completed a Masters at Boston University, MA, in Broadcasting and Film. Yael is also a published author (in Hebrew) and an international Guest Lecturer. She was invited to teach at [[Michigan State University]], “From Collective Ideology to Personal Individual? Diversity: Israeli Documentary Filmmaking”.

Yael is dedicated to sharing with the world many facets of Israeli life and society that are rarely, if ever portrayed or reported by the international news media. Yael has served as a Guest Lecturer on subjects related to the Israeli documentary film industry. She was an invited guest to film festivals in Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, United States and in her native Israel. In 2008 a retrospective of her work was screened at the University of Lucknow, in India, curated by Muslim born Dr. Navras Jaat Aafreedi.

In addition to her academic activities, Prof. Katzir is an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker (director, producer, writer). Her award-winning documentary feature films include: Company Jasmine (56″), 2000; Shivah for My Mother (57″), 2004; Praying in Her Own Voice (66″), 2009; and Violins in Wartime (48″), 2011. She has produced and aired 120 programs over a period of 10 years.

Ambassador Floreta Faber

Mrs. Floreta Faber is born in Shkoder, Albania, on March 19th, 1968. She is a graduate of Tirana University, Faculty of Economics, in the Sphere of Circulation in 1990. From 1993 to 1995 she has been studying the two-year Master of Science Program for International Marketing & Strategy at the Norwegian School of Management in Oslo, Norway, including a period of studying as exchange student at the Washington State University, in Washington State in the USA. Her Masters Diploma in Marketing and Operational Management is awarded by MB University, in Albania. She has been following several executive programs and trainings, such as International Visitor Leadership Program of the Department of States and Harvard University, focusing on programs of leadership, international relations and diplomacy, management, negotiations, accountability in governance, state protocols, and business development.

Mrs. Floreta Faber has been working as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania since its opening in 2000. In this capacity Ms Faber has been working closely with the representatives of the Albanian and American government, international organizations and the EU, alike business organizations in United States, Europe and beyond. She has been instrumental to the organization itself and to the development of functions like the advocacy capacity of business community in Albania. The working experience led her in becoming well-known and an expert in several fields, such as: public and government relations; facilitating roundtables and negotiations; managing organizations towards success; advocacy to the highest levels of government, international organizations and diplomatic circles; playing a great role in bringing the American and other international experiences to the Albanian environment. She is distinguished for high integrity and well-known for her communication skills.

Eni Altaratz Francis with daughters Michal Kaplan and Lea Shani

Thank you to our partners: