Fall Fest 2024 | 44th Jewish Film and Media Festival
Thursday, Nov 14, 2024
Thursday, November 14th – Sunday, November 24th
Live at the Weitzman and Various Locations
Badges On Sale NOW!
PJFM’s annual film and media festival returns November 14-24, 2024, to Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. 12 films, including a shorts program, master class, family event, comedy night, and so much more! 10 days of unforgettable Jewish cinematic and digital storytelling. PJFM’s 44th festival brings the most unique Jewish international films and digital media content from across the globe, from Philadelphia movie premieres to repertory cinema and collaborative events with local organizations. Events take place at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Gratz College, Ambler Theater, Kaiserman JCC, Penn Hillel, and Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel.
Fall Fest 2024 | 44th Jewish Film and Media Festival Lineup Below
Pre-Fest Sneak Preview A Real Pain | Film Society East
Tuesday, November 12th at 7 PM
Free
Directed by Jesse Eisenberg
Narrative Feature | USA/Poland | 2024 | 90 min | English
Official Selection of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival
A REAL PAIN follows mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Searchlight Pictures presents A REAL PAIN, directed and written by Academy Award® nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Zombieland). The film stars Eisenberg alongside Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Kieran Culkin (Succession, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World).
Rated R for language throughout and some drug use.
Opening Night The Blond Boy from the Casbah | The Weitzman
Thursday, November 14th at 7 PM
$20 General Admission
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Alexandre Arcady
Narrative Feature | France | 2023 | 126 min | French with English subtitles
Sponsored by Edward and Susan Hoffman
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Passionate filmmaker Antoine travels to his birthplace, Algiers, with his young son to present his new film: an account of his childhood in mid-20th century Algeria during the country’s civil war. As he wanders through the city, Antoine immerses viewers in the moments of happiness, laughter, and tears of his childhood – spent between school, friends, and his Jewish family. Growing up in the final moments of Algeria’s pre-independence period, the young Antoine discovers his profound fascination with cinema and starts to understand who he truly is.
Flashback Friday Cinema Out in the Dark | The Weitzman
Friday, November 15th at 2 PM
$12 General Admission
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Michael Mayer
Narrative Feature | Israel/USA/Germany | 2012| 96 min | Hebrew, Arabic, and English with English subtitles
OUT IN THE DARK is as much a political and societal commentary as it is an original romantic story. Compelling and intimate, Michael Mayer’s taut first feature follows a border-crossing relationship between an Israeli lawyer and an increasingly desperate Palestinian student. Nimer (Nicholas Jacob), an ambitious Palestinian student in the West Bank, dreams of a better life abroad. One fateful night in Tel Aviv, he meets Roy (Michael Aloni), an Israeli lawyer, and the two fall in love. As their relationship deepens, they are both confronted with the harsh realities of a Palestinian society that refuses to accept Nimer for his sexual identity, and an Israeli society that rejects him for his nationality. When Nimerʼs close friend is caught hiding illegally in Tel Aviv and sent back to the West Bank, where he is brutally murdered, Nimer is forced to choose between the life he thought he wanted and his love for Roy.
Centerpiece Film Bad Shabbos | The Weitzman
Saturday, November 16th at 7:30 PM
$20 General Admission
Co-presented by Philadelphia Film Society and Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Daniel Robbins
Narrative Feature | USA | 2024 | 84 min | English
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Winner of the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award
When two couples, Abby and Benjamin and David and recently-converted-to-Judaism Meg, return home for Shabbat dinner, an unexpected shadow looms over their night — an accidental death (or is it murder?) threatens to unravel the whole evening. Over the course of one night during this anything-but-typical New York City shabbos, their family get-together takes a turn for the worse… BAD SHABBOS takes the one-night-in-New-York story and spins from it a cast of characters, each more hilarious and specific than the next. Kyra Sedgwick kills (not literally) as the neurotic matriarch, and unexpected performances by Method Man, Catherine Curtin, and other familiar faces forge a brilliant ensemble that hits on pure comedic gold.
*Ticket includes admission to post-film reception.
The Emperor’s New Groove | The Weitzman
Sunday, November 17th at 11 AM
$20 Family Ticket (Up to 6 People) | $10 General Admission
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Mark Dindal
Animation Feature | USA/Japan/France | 2000 | 78 min | English
Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) thought he had it all: a devoted populace to rule over, a wardrobe of glamorous garb, and his unwavering “groove.” But his world is flipped upside down when he’s turned into a llama by his devious adviser, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), and her hunky henchman, Kronk (Patrick Warburton). Now the once-mighty ruler is forced into an unlikely alliance with pleasant peasant Pacha (John Goodman). Together, they must overcome their differences as they embark on a groovy adventure. Discovering the good in everyone has never been so much fun!
All kids are welcome to this “groovy” movie where they can make their own challah cover and take home Kronk’s own challah recipe!
Shoshana | Ambler Theater
Sunday, November 17th at 7 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Michael Winterbottom
Narrative Feature | UK/Italy | 2023 | 121 min | English, Hebrew, Arabic, and Russian with English subtitles
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Official Selection of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival
Harry Melling (Harry Potter, The Queen’s Gambit), Irina Starshenbaum, and Douglas Booth (My Salinger Year, Loving Vincent) star in a troubled love story set against the British Mandate just before the founding of the state of Israel. Prolific writer-director Michael Winterbottom (The Trip series)’s passion project, 15 years in the making and based on real people and events, tells the story of a cross-cultural relationship between a ranking member of the British Palestine Police Force and a young Jewish woman. Winterbottom’s romantic drama explores the way extremism and violence push people apart, forcing them to choose sides.
Vishniac | Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
Monday, November 18th at 7 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Presented in partnership with Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center (HAMEC), and Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
Directed by Laura Bialis
Docudrama Feature | USA | 2023 | 90 min | English
Sponsored by Amy and Richard Oller
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Though his pioneering microscopy transformed the nature of science photography, Roman Vishniac is best known for his iconic images of Jewish life in Eastern Europe from 1935 through 1938. Few predicted that less than a decade later, these communities would be wiped out, and Vishniac’s photographs would provide the last visual records of an entire world. VISHNIAC follows the artist from his early years in tsarist Russia to his emergence as a modernist photographer in Weimar Berlin, his journeys across Eastern Europe before the war, and his family’s dramatic escape to America in 1940.
The Secret Sabbath | Gratz College (Mandell Education Campus)
Tuesday, November 19th at 2 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Co-presented by Gratz College and Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Daniel Goldberg Lerner
Documentary Feature | USA | 2023 | 90 min | English, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Spanish with English subtitles
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE This fascinating film explores the journeys undertaken by diverse Jewish people in Mexico and America to uncover long-hidden family secrets passed down through generations. As they delve deeper, they discover a compelling fusion of their Hispanic and Jewish cultural heritage, a less explored and often marginalized facet of their identities. Rejecting strict identity categories, they embrace who they are instead, drawing inspiration from the life and experiences of Luis de Carvajal the Younger, a historical figure who met a tragic end in 16th-century Inquisitorial Mexico. He was condemned to be burned at the stake due to his commitment to adhering to the Law of Moses, exemplifying the profound struggles faced by those who dared to challenge societal norms and religious authorities during that era.
All About the Levkoviches | The Weitzman
Tuesday, November 19th at 7 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Ádám Breier
Narrative Feature | Hungary | 2024 | 85 min | Hungarian and Hebrew with English subtitles
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE The generous but stubborn boxing coach, Tamás, gets along well with everyone but his own son. They have not spoken since the boy, Iván, moved to Israel and became religious in an orthodox community. When Tamás’ beloved wife, Zsuzsa, dies unexpectedly, he agrees with his son that he can come and sit shiva in his house as long as he brings his grandson, Ariel, with him. As past conflicts resurface, they embark on an unexpected journey of self-reflection and reconciliation. Father and son are not just obliged to face their old grievances during the one-week religious mourning but to help Ariel deal with his own grief and obsession that grandma’s spirit is still in the house.
Jewish Shorts | The Weitzman
Wednesday, November 20th at 7 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
ALL PHILADELPHIA PREMIERES
I SEE YOU
Directed by Adam Weingrod
Documentary Short | Israel | 2023 | 20 min | Hebrew with English subtitles
A poignant portrait of Danny Layani who, after 25 years of total blindness, regains his sight and sees his wife and four children for the very first time. However, the newfound light in Danny’s life begins to dim, taking a sharp turn. Through intimate family archives and meticulous animated paintings, Danny shares his captivating story of resilience, self-discovery, and the profound power of perspective.
HOW TO MAKE CHALLAH
Directed by Sarah Rosen
Documentary Short | USA | 2024 | 12 min | English
Over the course of two days – one in 1975 and one in 2022 – two older Jewish women bake bread in New York City.
SEVAP/MITZVAH
Directed by Sabina Vajraca
Narrative Short | USA/Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2023 | 20 min | English and Bosnian with English subtitles
In Nazi-occupied Bosnia, a Muslim woman risks her life to save her Jewish friends and is saved by them in turn 50 years later.
WAVES APART
Directed by Josh Greene
Documentary Short | USA | 2023 | 25 min | English
A Jewish surfer confronts the dark, antisemitic history of the sport he once found solace in.
HERITAGE DAY
Directed by Lara Everly
Narrative Short | USA | 2023 | 20 min | English
After Evie dresses up like her estranged grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, on “Heritage Day” at school, she becomes increasingly obsessed with this dark part of her family history.
Comedy Night with Judy Gold | The Weitzman
Thursday, November 21st at 7 PM
$50 VIP (Reserved Seating + Meet and Greet) | $36 General Admission | $29 Weitzman Members
Presented in partnership with Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Join PJFM and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History for an unforgettable evening of comedy with the legendary Judy Gold for a night of much needed laughter! Known for her bold, unapologetic humor, Judy’s sharp wit tackles everything from family and relationships to her experiences as a Jewish gay woman. Her fearless approach to comedy draws from personal stories with a deep sense of honesty and hilarious candor, making her a force on stage who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and turn life’s absurdities into laughter.
To kick off the night, enjoy an opening set from rising star Liz Glazer. A former tenured law professor turned comedian, Liz brings a unique and insightful perspective to her stand-up, blending her life experiences as a lawyer, rabbi’s wife, and lesbian. Her clever storytelling has earned her top spots in comedy competitions, and she’s known for her deeply personal and reflective material. Together, these two powerhouses will create a comedy experience you won’t want to miss! Come ready to laugh and leave feeling lighter.
Flashback Friday Cinema Liberty Heights | Kaiserman JCC
Friday, November 22nd at 11 AM
$12 General Admission
Presented in partnership with Kaiserman JCC
Directed by Barry Levinson
Narrative Feature | USA | 1999 | 127 min | English, German, and Yiddish with English subtitles
Acclaimed filmmaker Barry Levinson (Rain Man) returns to his hometown of Baltimore, the setting of his Diner, Avalon, Tin Men, and Homicide films. The result is LIBERTY HEIGHTS, a warmly funny, semi-autobiographical tale told with an uncompromising eye for period detail and eye-filling scale that includes 4,000 extras. The year is 1954, a season of dramatic social flux that Levinson explores through the eyes of a Jewish family, the Kurtzmans (Adrien Brody, Ben Foster, Joe Mantegna, Bebe Neuwirth). Friendship, romance, rock-n- roll, courage, racism, Cadillacs, Halloween (should a nice Jewish boy dress up as Hitler?): the times are indeed changing. The Kurtzmans’ and America will never be the same.
Rated R for crude language and sex-related material
Bring your own lunch for this matinee screening! (Vegetarian or dairy only.)
Master Class with Director Tom Nesher | Penn Hillel
Friday, November 22nd from 1 PM – 3 PM
Free
Presented in partnership with Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies and its Goldhirsh-Yellin fund for the study of Jewish life in the land of Israel, Penn Department of Cinema & Media Studies, and Penn Hillel
After a short hiatus, PJFM and Penn Department of Cinema & Media Studies are back for another Master Class on filmmaking with special guest Tom Nesher. The daughter of Avi Nesher, considered by many to be Israel’s most acclaimed filmmaker, Tom has made waves in Israel this year with the release of her critically acclaimed, first feature film, Come Closer (2024), Israel’s Oscar selection for Best International Feature Film. The winner of four Ophir Awards (Israeli Academy Awards), including Best Picture and Best Director, Come Closer’s personal story of familial loss and stunning cinematography has catapulted the young filmmaker into one of the most promising directors this year. In this interactive workshop, Tom discusses Israeli cinema and the ins and outs of filmmaking in the 21st century.
Closing Night Legend of Destruction | The Weitzman
Saturday, November 23rd at 7:30 PM
$20 General Admission
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Gidi Dar
Animation Feature | Israel | 2021 | 93 min | English and Hebrew with English subtitles
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Winner of four Ophir Awards (Israeli Academy Awards) The Land of Israel is under Roman rule. Social inequalities, corruption, and injustices are rampant. The masses are crushed by imposing taxes, while the aristocracy lives a life of unimaginable wealth. Polarized Jerusalem is a powder keg about to explode; cries for freedom, justice, and equality in the name of God are prevalent. Secret groups of Zealots roam the streets, causing havoc and hatred. When the rebellion against the Roman oppressor breaks out, it swiftly escalates into a full-blown vicious civil war. A devastating famine, fueled by a quest for justice and revenge, cripples the city. When the Roman legions eventually unleash their wrath on emaciated Jerusalem, disaster is inevitable. LEGEND OF DESTRUCTION’s visual style was created with 1,500 original paintings by David Polonsky and Michael Faust, the artists behind the Oscar-nominated Waltz with Bashir (2008), while the original music and score, written by Assaf Talmudi and Yonatan Albalak, are nothing short of amazing. Based on Talmudic legends and the accounts of Yosef Ben Matityahu (Josephus Flavius), Gidi Dar’s stunning epic depicts the dangers of greed, social injustices, corruption, polarization, political hubris, and, above all, religious fanaticism in the name of God. These events took place some 2,000 years ago, yet the timeliness of this seminal story to the Jewish people is shocking.
Telling Nonie | The Weitzman
Sunday, November 24th at 1:30 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Pat Schwartz and Uriel Sinai
Documentary Feature | Israel/USA | 2023 | 51 min | English and Hebrew with English subtitles
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Tormented by his role in a 1950s Gaza assassination, Geizi Tsafrir, an elderly Israeli agent, seeks redemption. Reflecting on his time with Shin Bet (Israeli Secret Service) and the killing of an Egyptian lieutenant colonel, he decides to confront his past and contacts the colonel’s daughter, Nonie Darwish, once intent on avenging her father’s death but now a prominent voice against radical Islam and a supporter of Israel. The mysterious email from Tsafrir sets Darwish on an emotional journey into her past, culminating in a meeting with him in Los Angeles. This winner of the Haifa International Film Festival’s Best Israeli Documentary Award explores intricate emotions, history’s complexities, and the bumpy path toward mutual understanding and forgiveness.
The Catskills | The Weitzman
Sunday, November 24th at 4 PM
$15 General Admission | $13 Senior | $10 Student
Co-presented by Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Directed by Lex Gillespie
Documentary Feature | USA | 2024 | 84 min | English
Sponsored by Barbara and Mickey Black; Steve and Betsy Filton
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE | THE CATSKILLS is a feature-length documentary on the rise and fall of the Borscht Belt. With a trove of lost-and-found archival footage and a cast of characters endowed with the gift of gab, Lex Gillespie’s charming film journeys into the storied mountain getaway north of New York City that served as refuge for Jewish immigrants fleeing poverty, as well as a lavish playground for affluent Jewish families. Stand-up comedians share their best shtick while former waiters, entertainers, and dance instructors recount tales of the family-run resorts and bungalows that inspired films like Dirty Dancing (1987).
