Feb 5, 2025

MJFF Shatters Records, Draws 58,000 Attendees in Landmark Year

The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) concluded its 28th edition with resounding success, solidifying its status as the world's largest Jewish film festival with record-breaking attendance featuring 36 sold out premieres. Combining in-theater and virtual experiences, the 2025 Miami Jewish Film Festival attracted audiences from all 50 states, boasting an estimated total attendance and unique views surpassing 58,000, setting a new benchmark.

The Festival also proudly announces this year's Jury and Audience prize winners across nine major categories. The Critics Jury Prize, awarded by members of the Florida Film Critics Circle and South Florida journalists, went to Guy Nattiv & Zar Amir Ebrahimi’s Tatami, the first-ever film co-directed by an Israeli and Iranian. The Next Wave Jury Prize, selected by a jury of 21-to-35-year-olds, honored Daniel Robbins’ Bad Shabbos. The Kadima Jury Prize recognized Lior Chefetz’s The Stronghold featuring a breathtaking performance by Michael Aloni, the Torchbearer Award celebrated Oren Rudavsky’s Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire, and Come Closer director Tom Nesher was the recipient of the inaugural Emerging Filmmaker Award. Audience Awards were bestowed upon Roy Hornshtein’s Air War for Best Narrative Film, Jonathan Jakubowicz’s Soul of a Nation for Best Documentary, Shemi Zarhin’s Bliss for Best Israeli Film, and Meg Swertlow’s romantic comedy Cut Off for Best Short Film.

The Festival kicked off with the premiere of Jonathan Jakubowicz’s timely film Soul of a Nation at the Miami Beach Bandshell open-air amphitheater, drawing a record 850 attendees. The festival showcased 134 films (101 features and 23 shorts) from 25 countries, making it the largest film program among Jewish festivals this year. Over 80 virtual screenings were accessible nationwide, with enthusiastic responses from audiences across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Closing the Festival on a high note, Erez Tadmor’s acclaimed Israeli film Matchmaking 2 captivated more than 700 moviegoers at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

Expanding its reach beyond virtual screens, the Festival hosted more than 90 movie nights in nine venues across Greater Miami, featuring 83 international filmmakers, special guests, and live performances. Notable attendees included Israeli superstar Michael Aloni, Hollywood star Lisa Brenner, legendary singer-songwriter Janis Ian, acclaimed Hollywood producer Anthony Bregman, award-winning filmmaker Daniel Robbins, Emmy Award-winning director Wendy Sachs, renowned musicians Alicia Svigals & Donald Sosin, director Sandi DuBowski, and internationally beloved comedy duo Jamie Elman & Eli Batalion of YidLife Crisis, among others.

The Miami Jewish Film Festival also hosted more than 25 free virtual talks and live filmmaker Q&As available to audiences worldwide, which were viewed in more than 100 countries. Filmmakers, onscreen talent, and industry leaders connected with more than 3,000 attendees around the globe through MJFF’s virtual conversations. All virtual conversations are now available to watch for free on Miami Jewish Film Festival’s YouTube channel.

The Festival saw a significant increase in attendance by historically marginalized communities and younger audiences, primarily attributed to a series of strategic initiatives launched or expanded this year. These initiatives include the "Next Wave" program, targeted to 21-to-35-year-old college students and young professionals. Noteworthy features of this program were an after hours showing of Rob Reiner’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery in celebration of its 35th anniversary, a special presentation of Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece Casino for its 30th anniversary, and an original live score performance for the newly discovered and restored silent classic The City Without Jews at the University of Miami campus.

In collaboration with the LGBTQ Jewish organization Keshet, the festival expanded its "Focus on LGBTQ Cinema" program, catering to diverse audiences with a special outdoor presentation of Sabbath Queen featuring director Sandi Dubowski and film subject Amichai Lau-Lavie at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden to a capacity audience. Moreover, the festival strengthened its "Accessibility+Inclusion" program by hosting the world premiere of Looking Up, an inspiring film about a blind mountain climber, with director Elena Neuman and film subject Eitan Armon to a capacity audience of more than 200, as well as hosting a free community showing of the powerful movie The Ride Ahead, about the challenges and triumphs of living with a disability. This effort aimed to ensure a more inclusive and accessible cinematic experience for all attendees.

In a time when so few were willing to stand up for Jewish and Israeli filmmakers, the Miami Jewish Film Festival remained steadfast in its mission to champion their voices, their artistry, and their stories. This year’s record-breaking audience of more than 58,000 people sent an undeniable message—these films matter, and the world is watching. The overwhelming response from our community proves that now, more than ever, we must stand up for these artists and ensure that their stories continue to be seen, heard, and celebrated. We are profoundly grateful to the filmmakers, audiences, and supporters who came together in a shared belief that cinema has the power to unite, inspire, and bear witness to our collective history and humanity.

In total, the 2025 Film Festival program showcased 21 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 9 North American premieres, 6 US premieres, 18 East Coast premieres, 35 Southeast US premieres, and 18 Florida premieres, as well as over 80 conversations with filmmakers, stars, and scholars from around the world.

To stay involved with MJFF's year-round program, you can subscribe to our email list; follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; and consider becoming a Member of the nonprofit Miami Jewish Film Festival, which helps support independent storytelling across a wide range of creative disciplines.

The 29th Edition of the Miami Jewish Film Festival will take place on January 15-29, 2026.