nov 10-14 2010 - Rehoboth Beach Film Society

fesTIval dedICaTIon
Dedicating the Rehoboth beach independent Film Festival is a special occasion as there have been
only three such honors over the years. this year’s Festival is dedicated to the memory of founding
board member lee Jones and long-time member and volunteer Roz Fierberg, both of whom passed
away earlier this year. everyone at the Film Society feels enriched by their love of film, strong
commitment to supporting the organization’s efforts, and contagious enthusiasm. as you read on,
we hope you will get a sense of how lucky the Film Society is to have had lee and Roz as part of
the RbFS family from early on.
lee Jones
Lee was a member of the Founding
RBFS Board of Directors. His wife
Carol recalls that after one of the first
meetings, Lee came home and said
“these crazy people think they can put
on a Film Festival by November.” Well
it can be said that Lee was one of those
crazy people because he worked hard
with the entire Board to make that
1998 Film Festival a reality.
With job experience in stage, screen, and television, it
was film production that Lee fell in love with because he
admired the process (and learned he could finally pay the
bills!) Lee’s career was beneficial to the Film Society in
several ways, one of which was his ability to lure filmindustry
professionals to participate in Festival seminars.
Lee was so committed to the Film Society that after a break
from serving as a Founding Board member, he returned to
serve another term. Lee understood that Board members
had to wear many hats and that all the work — even the
nitty gritty, was important. With his usual gusto, he took
on the task of delivering posters to businesses throughout
Rehoboth Beach for several years. An official accounting
was never reported but he surely earned “marathon
credits” for completing that physical task.
Lee was very supportive of the Film Society’s outreach
efforts, especially with youth. For years he donated a
variety of trade publications to the Film Society for youth
who were interested in television, radio, or film careers.
He also offered terrific ideas for the Film Society’s Fun
with Filmmaking summer program for children.
Lee was a jolly fellow who always seemed to enjoy life.
Anyone lucky enough to engage in a conversation with
Lee, walked away happy because his good spirits were
contagious!
Roslyn (Roz) fIeRbeRg:
Roz Fierberg was a transplant to Bethany
Beach from Detroit along with her
husband Morris. She loved the Delaware
coastline but missed the spunk of theaters
committed to making international and
independent cinema available. When
she learned about the creation of an
independent film festival, she saw it as a
new adventure and jumped on board.
Roz was a true film buff as well as an opinionated critic!
During the early summer film reviews, she loved the dynamic
discussions about whether a film should be selected for the
Festival. Nothing gave her more pleasure and pride than
seeing the audience fall in love with a film she had championed
months earlier.
She also used her retail skills to help raise money for the Film
Society by establishing the Festival’s Merchandise Booth. To
say Roz was a natural deal negotiator says it all.
Roz also encouraged, maybe persuaded, all right - she
twisted her sons’ arms to get involved. Even though they were
busy developing their own careers as a film producer and a
cinematographer, Roz recruited their involvement which
included screening their latest films, facilitating Q&As, and
conducting seminars.
By engaging and giving much of herself, Roz said she received
so much in return. Friends, conversations, community and a
sense of participation gave her a real feeling of having a new
life, with brand new prospects and wonderful experiences.
When Roz’s husband passed away, the family created the
Morris Fierberg Student award to encourage young filmmakers
and support their artistic efforts. It was with great pride
that a family legacy was established in the spirit of excellent
adventure. When her name was added to the Award, she made
a self-effacing joke, and beamed with that infectious smile that
always brought great joy to all who knew and loved her, and to
everyone who met her.
We are sure that Roz and lee will be part of this year’s Festival in some way. We can visualize them
sharing a happy hour cocktail and then engaging in a lively debate about the quality of a film, lee
with a technical eye and Roz from a political perspective! they may not share the same opinion
about the film, but they will surely agree it is another wonderful Film Festival.
We miss you Roz and lee. you will always be cherished
members of the Rehoboth beach film society family. Cheers!
Rbfs board of directors and staff
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fesTIval dedICaTIon