Dec 20, 2023

Illuminating Unity and Resilience through Free Community Programs

The Miami Jewish Film Festival, renowned as the world's largest festival of its kind, is proud to present as part of its expansive program a dedicated sidebar of community-driven events that are hosted free for the public. Running January 11-25, 2024 across eight venues in Greater Miami, the Festival’s commitment to fostering community engagement takes center stage with an array of thought-provoking events offered free to the public.

In response to the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, the Miami Jewish Film Festival has proactively curated additional community-driven events, providing a space for shared grief, companionship, and solidarity during these challenging times. As a beacon of hope, the Festival aims to guide the community towards healing and resilience through the transformative power of film.

Among the Festival highlights in the community programming is the under-the-stars family-friendly presentation of Ari Folman's Cannes-acclaimed animated title, Where Is Anne Frank. This event, along with a special presentation of Hope Without Boundaries, showcasing the Israeli field hospital's dedication to providing medical care for victims in the Ukraine war, exemplifies the Festival's commitment to meaningful storytelling. The premiere of Hope Without Boundaries will feature the film's subject, Sheba’s Field Hospital Director Yoel Har-Even, in attendance.

As part of its mission to serve as a premier platform for the best in Jewish and Israeli cinema, the Festival is expanding its innovative programs and initiatives. Notably, the Festival is amplifying its Building Bridges/Breaking Barriers program, dedicated to presenting stories that emphasize the power inherent in the connection between the Black and Jewish communities. Films such as Rabbi on the Block, featuring director Brad Rothschild and film subject Tamar Menasseh, will be showcased, accompanied by a panel discussion that will be moderated by Josh Sayles, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

In collaboration with the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, the Festival is hosting multiple free community screenings featuring films centered around Holocaust themes. Highlights in the program include the audience award-winning documentaries UnBroken, with director Beth Lane in attendance, Aviva Kampner’s heartfelt film A Pocketful of Miracles, with the filmmaker also set to attend the Festival, and the powerfully moving Israeli animated film Sabotage, which will be accompanied by the presentation of the short film Jack & Sam with film subject and survivor Jack Waksal in attendance.

The 2024 Miami Jewish Film Festival is scheduled to present over 120 film premieres from 25 countries, marking it as the preeminent Jewish film festival in the world. Full details on the program and tickets to the festival can be found at: www.miamijewishfilmfestival.org