Announcing our 14th Sephardic Film Festival Honoree – Joe Ouaknine

Born in exotic Morocco, Joe emigrated to Canada and went to the University of Concordia in Montreal, where he was inducted into the school’s hall of fame for his soccer achievements. He moved to Los Angeles in 1977, where he built a three store chain and went on to become the first to introduce Charles David shoes in the country. He then became the first sales manager for Guess footwear after their merger with Charles David. After a 13 year tenure, Joe co-founded Titan Industries Inc. Today, Titan is a  fashion forward powerhouse with brands like Badgley Mischka, Splendid and others. Joe is involved in various charities and loves philanthropy. He has a passion for golf and is an active supporter in the Los Angeles Sephardic community. Joe is married and has three beautiful daughters and a grandson. The Sephardic Educational Center is excited to honor Joe Ouaknine with the Maimonides Leadership Award.

Past Film Festival Honorees:

Thirteenth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2016)

Cinema Sepharad Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Enrico Macias
Maimonides Leadership Award recipient: Rae Cohen
Sephardic Legacy Award recipient: Jeannine Sefton

Twelfth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2014)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipient: Yehoram Gaon
Maimonides Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Ronald J. Nessim
Sephardic Legacy Award recipients: Jack and Joelle Rimokh

Eleventh Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2012)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipient: Danielle Ruah
Maimonides Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Rabbi Haim Amsalem
Sephardic Legacy Award recipients: Joe and Sue Cohen

Tenth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2010)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipients: Emmanuelle Chriqui and Michael Benaroya
Maimonides Lifetime Achievement Award recipients: Dr. Jose and Freda Nessim

Ninth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2008)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipient: Eli Attie Maimonides
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Rabbi Daniel Bouskila

Eighth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2006)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipient: Bob Yari
Maimonides Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Sarita Hasson Fields
Sephardic Legacy Award recipient: Carol Basri

Seventh Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2004)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipients: Hank Azaria, Al Ovadia
Maimonides Lifetime Achivement Award recipient: Rabbi Benito Garzon

Sixth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2002)

Cinema Sepahrad Award recipient: Neal Israel

Fifth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (2000)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipients: Bob Israel, Lainie Kazan

Fourth Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (1998)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipients: Jack Gindi, Art Metrano
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Esther Shapiro

Third Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (1996)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipients: Kent Beyda, Dan Hedaya, Shaun Toub

Second Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (1994)

Cinema Sepharad Award recipients: David Charvet, Lianne Halfon, Michael Sutton, Gregori Viens, Bette Cohen Zietzew

First Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival (1992)

No recipients