Artemis Joukowsky III will speak about his documentary, Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War, during the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Rivier University on May 7. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – In collaboration with Temple Beth Abraham, Rivier University welcomes film director Artemis Joukowsky III, who co-directed the documentary film Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War.

Starring Tom Hanks, the film traces Joukowky’s grandparents secret 1939 mission in Nazi-occupied Europe.

The event will be held at Rivier on May 7 at 7 p.m., in the Dion Center at 16 Clement St.

Joukowsky is best known for his work on the documentaries Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War and Carbon Nation, as well as several other films and books. Joukowsky is the grandson of Waitstill Sharp and Martha Sharp, who helped endangered Jewish refugees and others flee from the Nazis. To honor his grandparents’ bravery and sacrifice, he wrote, co-directed and co-produced The Sharps’ War with Ken Burns, which first aired on PBS in 2016.

Joukowsky will share excerpts of his film and explore what motivated the Sharps’ mission, the dilemmas they faced and what we can learn today from their courageous actions.

In addition to Joukowsky’s presentation and a question-and-answer session, a candlelight ceremony will be held memorializing Holocaust victims. Temple Beth Abraham’s Zimria Choir will perform with the Nashua Community Interfaith Choir at this observance.

This project is made possible with support from the New Hampshire Jewish Federation. The event is free and open to the public.