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The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) proudly announces the program for its 28th edition, a dynamic hybrid of virtual and live events featuring 133 films. Running from January 9-23, 2025, the Festival will showcase 109 feature films and 23 shorts from 25 countries, including 20 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 9 North American premieres, and 6 U.S. premieres.
As the largest Jewish film festival in the world, MJFF’s 28th Edition will host over 80 in-theater screenings across eight venues in Greater Miami, including Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and North Miami. Additionally, an online component will make over 80 films available for streaming to audiences across Florida and the United States.
- Opening and Closing Night Spectacles: The Festival’s opening night kicks off with the world premiere of Soul of a Nation, directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. This inspiring and eye-opening delves into one of Israel’s most turbulent chapter, chronicling the journey from crisis and division to unity and resilience following the October 7 tragedy. Featuring exclusive insights from influential leaders and a heartfelt vision of hope, the premiere will include an introduction by Jonathan Jakubowicz and producer Claudine Jakubowicz, followed by a post-screening Q&A. The Festival’s closing night will feature the premiere of Matchmaking 2, the latest by renowned Israeli filmmaker Erez Tadmor. This sequel to the beloved 2022 romantic drama is Israel’s biggest box office hit of the year, offering an endlessly witty and sweetly romantic take on a modern Romeo-and-Juliet tale starring some of Israel’s most dazzling young talents.
- International Guests: This year’s festival will welcome 30 international guests, including Israeli superstar Michael Aloni (Shtisel) for the premiere of the gripping drama The Stronghold; legendary Florida-based singer-songwriter Janis Ian for the premiere of Janis Ian: Breaking Silence; director Tom Nesher and producer Anthony Bregman for the premiere of Come Closer, Israel’s official entry for the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film; Hollywood actress Lisa Brenner (The Patriot) for the world premiere of her new film One Big Happy Family; director Sandi Dubowski and film subject Amichai Lau-Lavie for the award-winning Sabbath Queen, presented under the stars at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden; and the comedy duo Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman (YidLife Crisis) for the world premiere of their latest film, Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm.
- Spotlight on Israeli Cinema: In light of recent tragic events in Israel and the rise of antisemitism worldwide, the Miami Jewish Film Festival reaffirms its mission to foster empathy and understanding through cinema, with a spotlight on Israel’s vital role in the Jewish narrative. This year, the Festival proudly presents the world’s largest Israeli film program, featuring more than 30 premieres, including the international premiere of Air War, Israel’s extraordinary answer to Top Gun and a box office sensation; the Southeast U.S. premiere of Shemi Zarhin’s Bliss, reuniting Israeli screen legends Sasson Gabay and Assi Levy since their acclaimed work on Zarhin’s Aviva My Love; and the world premiere of the inspiring documentary Marathon Mother.
Other standout Israeli features include Dani Rosenberg’s Of Dogs and Men, a Venice Film Festival competition title and Israel’s first narrative film addressing the October 7 tragedy; the Israeli Academy Award-nominated films The Milky Way, directed by Maya Kenig, and Highway 65, directed by Maya Dreifuss; as well as the international premieres of Erez Laufer and Hilla Medalia’s riveting football tale, Wanted: Roni Kalderon, and the harrowing documentary Women in Battle, which explores the challenges faced by women veterans living with PTSD.
- Expanded Headliners Program: MJFF’s Headliners program features standout selections and award-winning films from festivals worldwide. Highlights include the East Coast premiere of Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi’s riveting thriller Tatami, notable for being the first film co-directed by an Israeli and Iranian; Michel Hazanavicius’ Cannes Competition title The Most Precious of Cargoes; Andres Veiel’s provocative documentary Riefenstahl about the controversial German filmmaker; the U.S. premiere of Midas Man about Brian Epstein and The Beatles; Oren Rudavsky’s intimate documentary Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire; the Tribeca Audience Award-winning comedy Bad Shabbos, starring Kyra Sedgwick and Method Man; the Safdie brothers-produced Andy Kaufman documentary Thank You Very Much; the U.S. premiere of The Spoils, a fascinating film about restitution of Nazi-looted art; the Argentinean comedy Most People Die on Sundays, featured in Cannes’ Acid sidebar; and the Academy Award submissions for Best International Feature Film from Hungary (Semmelweis) and Slovakia (The Hungarian Dressmaker).
“Made in Florida” Focus: Reinforcing its dedication to showcasing local talent, the Miami Jewish Film Festival shines a spotlight on “Made in Miami” movies this year, featuring several films receiving their world premieres. Among them is Miami Schmatta, a compelling exploration of the vibrant immigrant legacy that shaped the American garment industry, set against the colorful backdrop of Miami. Also premiering are Miami-based filmmakers Wendy Sach’s October H8te, a timely film about antisemitism on college campuses following the October 7 tragedy, as well as Leslie Benitah’s Milk & Honey, Blood & Tears, a powerful documentary chronicling the resilience and recovery of Kibbutz Be’eri following the devastating October 7 attack. The film poignantly contrasts the kibbutz’s peaceful past with the harsh realities of survival and healing.
- Community Engagement: Amid rising antisemitism and hate crimes across the country, the Miami Jewish Film Festival is fostering community connection and solidarity through inclusive, community-driven events that are free and open to the public. Highlights include a family-friendly outdoor screening of the beloved classic The Goonies in celebration of its 40th anniversary at Normandy Fountain in Miami Beach, a special presentation of the recently rediscovered and restored silent film The City Without Jews, accompanied by a live score performed by acclaimed musicians Donald Sosin and Alicia Svigals; and a 30th anniversary presentation of Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece Casino starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci.
- Next Wave Competition: Participating in the Festival’s Next Wave Competition, a sidebar judged by 21-to-35-year-old college students and young professionals, are engaging films such as the romantic comedy 31 Candles; the inspiring documentary The Ride Ahead, which follows 21-year-old Samuel Habib as he challenges disability stereotypes and maps out his path to independence; and the world premiere of Looking Up, a powerful chronicle of a young man confronting encroaching blindness while tackling the formidable challenge of climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan.
- Focus on Argentina: This year, the Festival highlights Argentina with six acclaimed films showcasing the country’s rich cinematic talent. The lineup includes the international premieres of Mazel Tov, a heartfelt drama directed by and starring Adrian Suar; The Two Mariettes, a thought-provoking documentary exploring themes of hidden secrets and identity; Tuve el Corazón, a tango-themed tale; and Borders Moved, a deeply personal documentary where the filmmaker uncovers the shadows of her family’s past.
- Holocaust Education: In partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, the Festival presents several free community screenings highlighting Holocaust themes. The lineup includes the world premiere of The Last Ones of Auschwitz, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, this poignant documentary captures the testimonies of the last remaining Holocaust survivors, including survivors from Miami. Also featured is the international premiere of The Exile of the Musicians, an Argentinean documentary about the hundreds of Jewish musicians who fled Nazism to Argentina, where they revitalized their careers in theaters, orchestras, and film studios.
Diving into the 2025 Film Festival program by the numbers, MJFF audiences will be able to experience a lineup boasting 133 films, including 20 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 9 North American premieres, 6 US premieres, 18 East Coast premieres, 35 Southeast US premieres, and 17 Florida premieres, among others, as well as over 50 conversations with filmmakers, stars, and scholars from around the world.
Full details on the program and tickets to the festival can be found at: www.miamijewishfilmfestival.org
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