What is this? The latest men's exercise craze? No, not quite. This picture is a still from the film "A Matter of Size," one of many interesting and eclectic, critically acclaimed films playing April 22-May 2 at the JCCGW Second Annual Film Festival. This film tells of the story of Herz, an overweight Israeli cook living with his mother, who soon finds himself unemployed and thrown out of his weight-loss classes for his ever-increasing weight gain, but soon finds a perfect fit for his zaftig build. This film concludes the festival, and ends with a sushi and Sapporo reception. The festival opens with a film about a Catholic-turned-Jewish comedian Thursday.

Don't miss an opportunity to see these unique and award-winning films from Israel, France, Tunisia, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the U.S. covering any number of themes. Below is a pic from "For My Father," a love story about isolated individuals, Keren, who broke from her Orthodox parents, and Terek, a Palestinian terrorist, who were brought up to be enemies.

The Festival will take place at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville. For more information, contact 301-348-3805 or visit www.jccgw.org.

Celebrating Shoes, Friendship and Books

Before there was Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin, there was Beth Levine, a visionary whose fashion-forward shoes were worn by '60s icons Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Barbara Streisand. Author Helene Verin, a professor at FIT, tells Levine's story in Beth Levine Shoes, she also gives those of us who love shoes a revelatory glimpse into 20th century shoe design. Luckily for us she will be in town to talk about her book Friday at noon at the JCC of Greater Washington as part of their 40th annual Book Festival, which kicks off Nov. 5. Another don't-miss is author Jeffrey Zaslow on Monday night at 7 pm to discuss The Girls from Ames, his book about 11 women who remained best friends for over 40 years. Can't wait to hear his "man-thoughts" on what seems to mystify men even more than women's obsession with footwear: our ties to our girlfriends.

The festival runs through Nov. 15 and features 25 different authors and events. Tickets are available online or at the Festival box office.