Jul 20, 2021

Miami Jewish Film Festival Named One of the 50 Best

For the second year in a row, the Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) was named one of the 50 best film festivals in the world in 2021 by Moviemaker magazine. MJFF, the world’s largest Jewish film festival, is a program of the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), a Federation subsidiary agency. “Our success reflects the incredible talent of the Festival’s Executive Director Igor Shteyrenberg and his staff, the tenacity of our Board and the loyalty of our community,” said MJFF Chair Barbara Black Goldfarb. “Together, we’ve built a level of support for the Festival that has sustained its success, even during the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.” MJFF was the only Jewish film festival and the only Florida-based film festival named in the magazine’s 2021 list.

“This recognition by Moviemaker is a tribute not only to our Festival, but also to Federation and CAJE, to our volunteers and to everyone who has been involved for so many years,” said Shteyrenberg. “It’s an acknowledgment of what can be accomplished when so many of us pursue a special artistic vision.”

The 2021 Miami Jewish Film Festival responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by presenting a hybrid of streamed, drive-in and socially-distanced outdoor programming events. A record-breaking total of 148 films were offered from April 14-29, three months later than the Festival’s usual screening period. The hybrid format enabled a total of 55,000 viewers worldwide to participate.

The Festival presented 100 feature films, including eight world premieres and more than more than 20 North American premieres, as well as 48 short films. These represented 25 countries, 39 first-time feature filmmakers and an unprecedented 47 films directed by women. Presentations included 80 individual and panel discussions with film professionals and academicians.

The milestone 25th Miami Jewish Film Festival is scheduled to take place January 13-27, 2022 as a hybrid experience returning to live, in-person events throughout Greater Miami, as well as continuing its successful online component for audience members unable to travel to South Florida or attend in-theater events.

For more information about the Miami Jewish Film Festival, visit www.MiamiJewishFilmFestival.org.