Cinema Arts Center is a strong believer in Independent Films and Huntington. We believe you are too and hope you will join in crowd-funding the production of HIDDEN LIGHT by clicking HERE. (Your gift will support the film AND the Cinema Arts Centre.)

ABOUT THE FILM:

HIDDEN LIGHT is a Holocaust-set animated short film written and produced by Jacob Fiskus, Academy Award nominated Yoni Goodman, and the Cinema Arts Center’s very own Dr. Jud Newborn. (More about the team below.)

HIDDEN LIGHT is a historically based but magical animated Holocaust story unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Designed to capture the attention of both young and old, the film follows a Czech-Jewish boy named David, a uniquely talented artist whose gifts are unappreciated in his world of strict textual Torah study. One day David sees multicolored glowing Hebrew letters floating over town. Nobody else can see them. Amazed, he follows the trail of letters. They lead him to the window of careworn Hasidic man, who, against tradition and to David’s astonishment, is painting too! However, the Nazis invade Czechoslovakia and David is imprisoned in the notorious ghetto-camp of Terezin, never getting to meet this kindred spirit. Amid the misery and despair, David secretly begins to draw in the barracks - and the same colorful Hebrew letters begin flowing out of him. In the ghetto-camp courtyard, who else sees the letters but the painting Hasid! This wise and mystical man takes David on a magical journey to the Old City of Jerusalem and back, showing him that art can transform despair into something even more powerful than hope: the assurance that, while they may perish, their people and their traditions can never be destroyed.

Of the estimated 15,000 children who passed through Terezin, fewer than 150 survived. But 4000 of the pictures they drew were discovered after the war, hidden away in the ghetto-camp. This film is dedicated to them, and to all children of the world today whose inner light is hidden by fear.

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Jacob Fiskus, Writer/Producer: A young Queens-based filmmaker passionate about telling authentic Jewish stories and the grandson of Holocaust survivors, Jacob previously co-produced HBO’s “A Tree of Life” (2022), a documentary about the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that occurred in 2018.

Yoni Goodman, Director of Animation: Yoni is one of the most prolific indie-animators in the world. Winner of numerous international awards, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his feature animated film “Waltz with Bashir.” His most recent feature, “Where is Anne Frank,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Dr. Jud Newborn, Co-Producer/Historical & Creative Consultant: Dr. Newborn is a dynamic multimedia lecturer and storyteller, as well as an author, Founding Historian Emeritus of NY’s Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Emmy Award-winning Producer of Celebrity Guest Programs for the Cinema Arts Centre.

The Hive Studios, Co-Producing Partner: The Hive is an Israel-based animation studio and animated film production company. Their film, “Letter to a Pig,” was nominated for an Academy Award Best Animated Short in 2024, Israel’s first ever nomination in that category.

Educational Distribution: In conjunction with Dr. Newborn, our education campaign partners will develop curriculum and utilize their public school and university distribution channels to ensure that the film has a lasting impact.

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS WHO WILL HELP DISSEMINATE THE FILM INCLUDE:

The Anne Frank Center, The Terezin Defiant Requiem Foundation, The Czech Memorial Torah Scrolls Foundation, The Sousa Mendes Foundation, The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, and The Kindertransport Association.

We have an A-list team to bring this beautiful and unique story to life. Join us in infusing more light into this challenging moment in history by making a tax deductible donation to our project.

Thank you!

The "Hidden Light" Team