The Jewish people have always been incredible storytellers. Whether it’s passing down stories from the Torah or sharing the hardships and triumphs of their ancestors with younger generations. Telling stories lifts people up, teaches important life lessons, and builds resilience and hope. Some of the most incredible storytellers are filmmakers who dedicate their lives to sharing the incredible journeys of other Jews around the world. In the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Jewish Film Festival is an amazing celebration of those filmmakers. 2024 will be the festival’s 29th year, held March 2nd – 17th. Here is a little bit more about this incredible opportunity right in our backyard!
About The Seattle Jewish Film Festival
The Seattle Jewish Film Festival (SJFF) is one of the largest Jewish film festivals in the country, not to mention one of the longest-running film festivals in the Pacific Northwest! Movie-goers from all over Washington and beyond gather yearly to celebrate the diversity of global Jewish life through cinema. SJFF is a cornerstone program of the Stroum Jewish Community Center, a local organization dedicated to curating a thriving and joyful Jewish community. Every year, their collection of films builds connections, unlocks perspectives, and uplifts the human spirit.
Everything Going On At The Festival
Throughout the Jewish Film Festival, films are shown at the state-of-the-art Dolby Digital Barco Cinema on Mercer Island, as well as at theaters across the greater Seattle area. When COVID hit, the festival pivoted to a fully virtual platform that allowed for broader global engagement. In 2024, the festival will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual showings for their most accessible season yet!
In addition to their showings, the SJFF also offers a variety of in-person events that have become beloved fan favorites over the years. The opening night festivities are always a lively celebration, as are the Sunday Brunch, Sephardic and Israeli Spotlights, and a Gay Gezunt! LGBTQ+ spotlight. SJFF also offers free and low-cost tickets for seniors 65 and older, as well as providing free tickets to nonprofits that serve local seniors, survivors, and special needs communities.
Additionally, the Jewish Film Festival is known for its esteemed film awards. The Audience Choice Awards invites attendees to cast their ballots for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Shorts. The REEL and REAL Difference Awards are held every other year, honoring a distinguished filmmaker with the REEL Difference Award and an arts advocate/leader with the REAL Difference Award.
Lastly, the Golden Or Jury Prize for Best Independent Film invites a distinguished panel of jurists to select one film from the festival’s lineup to receive this coveted award. The jury also selects a local nonprofit to receive a complimentary community partner film sponsorship to engage that partner’s stakeholders throughout the festival with free tickets and other perks.
Specialty
The 2024 Jewish Film Festival is a hybrid, offering both in-person and virtual ways to participate. Locals and visitors will be able to attend over 14 in-person events and screenings, including showings, community conversations, guest speakers, and special events. Virtual attendees will be able to enjoy films released on Mondays every week from the comfort of their homes. Once you start watching a virtual screening, you’ll have 48 hours to finish watching it. All virtual films expire on the last day of the festival, March 17th, so plan your movie-watching accordingly!
You Will Love The Stories Told At The Seattle Jewish Film Festival
Be a part of one of the world’s largest Jewish movie events by attending the Seattle Jewish Film Festival in person, virtually, or both! You’ll be supporting amazing artists from around the world, all while building a special connection to the Jewish community here in Seattle. Try it out, and let me know what you think!
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