Dec 18, 2024

Meet the Stars Coming to the 2025 Festival

Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of cinematic storytelling as the 28th Miami Jewish Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for an incredible lineup of stars, filmmakers, and special guests! This year’s festival boasts an extraordinary roster, headlined by Israeli superstar Michael Aloni (Shtisel, The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem), who will join us for the premiere of his breathtaking new action film, The Stronghold. Adding even more star power, Hollywood director Jonathan Jakubowicz (Resistance, Hands of Stone) and producer Claudine Jakubowicz will present the world premiere of their inspiring documentary Soul of a Nation as the Festival's official Opening Night film at the historic Miami Beach Bandshell.

The excitement continues with celebrated director Jonah Feingold unveiling the world premiere of his heartfelt romantic comedy 31 Candles, and actor-writer-producer Lisa Brenner world premiering her feel-good family comedy One Big Happy Family starring Linda Lavin and Dante Basco. Legendary singer-songwriter Janis Ian will grace the festival for the premiere of her moving biographical documentary Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, while acclaimed producer Anthony Bregman will present Come Closer, Israel’s official entry to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.

The festival’s dynamic live events promise to dazzle, with internationally renowned comedy duo Jamie Elman & Eli Batalion (YidLife Crisis) performing at the world premiere of their hilarious new film Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm, and acclaimed performers Donald Sosin & Alicia Svigals will deliver a mesmerizing live score for The City Without Jews, a timely silent masterpiece newly restored to its original form.

Also joining the festivities are director Daniel Robbins for the premiere of his Tribeca Audience Award-winning comedy Bad Shabbos starring Kyra Sedgwick and Method Man, and filmmaker Salvador Litvak, unveiling his gripping thriller Guns & Moses, starring Dermot Mulroney and Christopher Lloyd. Award-winning filmmaker Oren Rudavsky will present his poignant new work, Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire, while acclaimed director Sandi Dubowski, alongside subject Amichai Lau-Lavie, will present Sabbath Queen, a documentary two decades in the making, in a magical outdoor screening at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden.

The festival proudly shines a spotlight on local talent, with premieres of gripping new works by Miami filmmakers including Wendy Sachs's October H8te, Leslie Benitah's Milk & Honey, Blood & Tears, and Aaron Glickman & Clair Vickeroy, who will world premiere their fascinating documentary Miami Schmatta, exploring the city’s rich garment industry history.

Now's your chance to experience movie magic with the artists themselves! See the lineup of special guests attending this year's Miami Jewish Film Festival below, with new announcements coming soon:

Anne Aghion

Anne Aghion

Director

Ezra Axelrod

Ezra Axelrod

Director

Eli Batalion

Eli Batalion

Director

Leslie Benitah

Leslie Benitah

Director

Marc Bennett

Marc Bennett

Director

Anthony Bregman

Anthony Bregman

Producer

Lesa Brenner

Lesa Brenner

Producer-Actress

Sandi Dubowski

Sandi Dubowski

Director

Jamie Elman

Jamie Elman

Director

Jonah Feingold

Jonah Feingold

Director

Aaron Glickman

Aaron Glickman

Director

Jeff Hoffman

Jeff Hoffman

Producer

Janis Ian

Janis Ian

Film Subject

Jasmine Kainy

Jasmine Kainy

Director

Jamie Kastner

Jamie Kastner

Director

Amichai Lau Lavie

Amichai Lau Lavie

Film Subject

Chris Lewis

Chris Lewis

Author

Salvador Litvak

Salvador Litvak

Director

Dani Menkin

Dani Menkin

Director

Daniel Robbins

Daniel Robbins

Director

Tim Roper

Tim Roper

Director

Oren Rudavsky

Oren Rudavsky

Director

Wendy Sachs

Wendy Sachs

Director

Donald Sosin

Donald Sosin

Musician

Alicia Svigals

Alicia Svigals

Musician

MORE INFORMATION:
Full details on the Festival program can be found at miamijewishfilmfestival.org/films/2025. The 28th Miami Jewish Film Festival will take place from January 9 through 23. All Festival films will be available to stream starting Friday, January 10 until Wednesday, January 23. More information is available at miamijewishfilmfestival.org or by calling 305-573-7304.

Follow the Miami Jewish Film Festival on Facebook (/miamijewishfilmfestival) or Twitter (@MiamiJFF) for updates with the latest information about the Festival and attending filmmakers.

The Miami Jewish Film Festival is a program of the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), a subsidiary of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

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