Pepperdine University celebrated the beginning of the Hollywood Visionaries series on Tuesday – a month of activities highlighting the Jewish leaders who founded the entertainment industry – with a photography exhibit in Payson Library. The exhibit features stills from award-winning photographer and photojournalist Leigh Wiener, who photographed Hollywood studio moguls and legends over the course of his 50-year career. The opening of the exhibit featured guest speakers and moderated panels with prominent Jewish film industry veterans and players. The exhibit will be on display until Dec. 20.

On Thursday at 4 p.m. the library will also play host to Martha Williamson, executive producer of “Touched by an Angel”, who will present a collection of television shows that she has been a part of during her career.

In addition to the photo exhibits and panels at Payson Library, Pepperdine will host student filmmakers from Lebanon during an event in Elkins on Oct. 8. The event will showcase award winning short films by the Lebanese filmmakers. Lebanese food will be served at 6 p.m. followed by the film screenings at 7 p.m.

“Framed by popular portrayals in media and film, our Hollywood Visionaries series will explore the place of Jews in American life, the relation between Jews and secular society, and Jewish-Christian relations,” said Mark Roosa, dean of Pepperdine University Libraries, according to the press release.

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Follow Chirag Patel on Twitter: @cbpatel86

As published in the Oct. 3, 2013 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.

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