18 Kilos of Love is the inspirational and humorous non-fiction account of a remarkable man and his remarkable life. Ami Ankilewitz was diagnosed with an extremely rare and often fatal form of SMA/2 that severely limits physical growth and movement.
18 Kilos of Love
A Film by: Dani Menkin
(USA, 2005, 70 Minutes, Color, Hebrew/English, English subtitles)
18 Kilos of Love is the inspirational and humorous non-fiction account of a remarkable man and his remarkable life. Ami Ankilewitz was diagnosed with an extremely rare and often fatal form of SMA/2 that severely limits physical growth and movement. Yet at 34 years of age, he continues to outlive a doctor’s prediction of life expectancy by 28 years… and counting. Ami, who weighs only 18 kilos (39 pounds), works in Israel as a 3D animator and creates his art despite the fact that his bodily motion is limited to a single finger on his left hand. In doing so, he continues to redefine notions of a “limited” life. The film follows Ami’s journey in search of the doctor who predicted his early demise. Along the way, Ami attempts to come to terms with another major incident from his past and to complete a lifelong dream: To ride a Harley Davidson.
AWARDS, FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS
• Palm Beach International Film Festival - Best Documentary Award
• Tahoe/Reno Film Festival - Best Documentary Award
• Ophir Award at the Israeli Academy of Film & Television
• Oscar short list for the Best Documentary Feature category
• Boston Jewish Film Festivals - Audience Award
• Tallgrass Film Festivals - Audience Award
• Seattle Jewish Film Festival - Best Documentary Award
• Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
• Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
• Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival
• Israeli Films Festival, Singapore
• Mountain Film Festival
• Sedona International Film Festival
• Red Shift Film Festival
• Dayton Jewish Film Festival
• Israeli Film Festival in Ottawa
• Berkshire Jewish Film Festival
• Palm Springs International Film Festival
• Sedona Film Festival
• Brattleboro Israeli Film Festival