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The film will screen at 7 p.m. Monday, at the Lark Theatre, 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur.

The 1997 French mystery thriller "K" will have its West Coast premiere at 7 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Lark.

Directed by Alexandre Arcady, "K" tells the story of young police inspector Sam Bellamy, who allows an old Jewish man, Joseph Katz, to go free after killing a former SS officer.

When Katz's shop goes up in flames with Katz inside, Sam is put back on the case. In the course of his investigations, he uncovers sinister links between elements in his own constabulary and clandestine political networks that have remained intact since World War II.

The festival is presented by CenterStage in association with the Film Institute of Northern California (producers of the Mill Valley Film Festival) and with support from the Whyman Family. It will take place during CenterStage's "Israel at 50" celebration titled "Growing Up Jewish in America," which opened last month with a performance by Lisa Kron and will conclude April 5 with a comedy act by Sherry Glazer.

At 8 p.m. on the festival's opening night, Marin Jewish Community Center's Hoytt Theater will feature a musical show inspired by the life of Wyatt Earp's third wife, Josephine Sarah Marcus, who was Jewish.

Titled "Josie and the Women of Tombstone," the performance will be accompanied by film clips.

Festival screenings will begin with the animated film "An American Tail" at 1 p.m. tomorrow at MJCC, 200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael.

The film tells the tale of Fievel Mousekewitz, a Jewish mouse, who immigrates to America from Russia in the late 19th century. He and his family leave behind the evil cats of their homeland.

They believe that in America, there is a mousehole in every wall and breadcrumbs on every floor. But just as they are about to land in New York, Fievel becomes separated from his family. Will he survive the hardships of emigration and be reunited with his mama and papa?

Admission, which includes free popcorn, is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

"Hannah" will screen at 7 p.m. the same day, and repeat at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday both at the Lark Theatre.

The political thriller was filmed in Austria in 1996, under the direction of Reinhard Schwabenitzky.

Hannah is a marketing specialist who wants the top position with a toy manufacturer. As she tries to obtain the position, the firm's junior executive director becomes infatuated with her and they soon fall in love.

But she discovers a terrible secret buried in a beautiful doll and finds herself in a deadly game.

The film, in German with subtitles, is Austria's entry in the foreign language category of the upcoming Academy Awards.

"Everlasting Joy," shot in Israel in 1996, is scheduled to screen at 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the Lark.

Yigal Bursztyn directed this comedy about six hard-working neighbors who experience the joy of love and the misery of war.

In the film, Baruch Spinoza, the 17th century Jewish-Dutch philosopher who lived in Amsterdam, now dwells in a working-class suburb of Tel Aviv. He and his neighbors are searching for the elusive secret of everlasting joy.

The final film, "Passover Fever," directed in 1995 in Israel by Shemi Zarhin, will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday at the MJCC.

Director Shemi Zarhin tells the story of two days, one big family and a great deal of food.

Yona is certain that her husband Michael is being unfaithful to her. At the same time, he is preparing the biggest surpise ever for seder, unaware that his secret arrangements are causing her alarm and suspicion.

The festival will conclude with a Shabbat luncheon at noon Friday, April 3 at the MJCC.

Film and video producer Deborah Hoffman will talk about her career as a producer of documentaries. Clips will be shown of her film "Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter" — which has received more than 30 awards, including an Emmy Award and an Academy Award nomination.

Tickets for the opening-night musical are $14 to $16. Tickets for the Shabbat luncheon are $8 to $10.

Single tickets for all films except "An American Tail" are $7 general admission, $6 for members and seniors.

A festival pass, which includes admission to the opening-night extravaganaza, six films and the closing Shabbat luncheon with Hoffman, costs $50.

For information, call (415) 479-2000