The Mandel JCC Announces 44 New Films Premiering at 33rd Annual Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival

Attention Florida film fans! Get out the popcorn and get ready to enjoy the best of Jewish cinema because the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches (Mandel JCC) has just announced THE LINEUP for the 33rd Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival (PBJFF). In-person screenings will be held from January 21 to February 1, 2023 at theaters in Palm Beach Gardens/Jupiter, Wellington/Royal Palm Beach and Boynton Beach. A virtual viewing option is also being offered February 12-18, 2023. All tickets must be purchased in advance here.

There is drama, romance, comedy and suspense galore as this year's international selection of films, which explore the Jewish experience and the diversity of the community around the globe. The 44 featured films encompass diverse themes, including Jewish issues, Jewish achievement and valor, modern Israeli life, and Jewish culture, arts, and history. Several films will also be making their Palm Beach County, Florida, United States, and NORTH AMERICA premieres at the Palm Beach festival.

"The Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival strives to bring the finest examples of cinema from around the world right here to South Florida," said Jesse Rosen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches. "We are thrilled to be able to say that our chosen Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival films are as diverse as our community."

The PBJFF will kick off on Thursday, January 19 at 7 pm at the Mandel JCC, Palm Beach Gardens (5221 Hood Road, Palm Beach Gardens), with a dessert and champagne reception. This opening event will feature a talk by scholar of Hollywood's Golden Age, Dr. Annette Bochenek, who will discuss how some of the most iconic movie scenes were developed, approached, and accomplished. Using photos and video clips, Dr. Bochenek will reveal how characters have parted the Red Sea, dodged crop dusters, scaled skyscrapers, and more.

"Founded in 1990, the festival continues to grow and evolve as we continue to expand our selection of narrative features, short films and documentaries to reflect the interests of our audience," added Ira Gerstein, Board Chair of the Mandel JCC. "We are grateful to all of our Mandel JCC supporters, including Event Producers Eva and Marvin Schlanger, our Hamsa, Chaverim and Film Partners, and our Screening Committee, for making our 33rd year our best yet!"

Spotlighted Films

Opening Film: The festival's OPENING DAY film on January 21, 2023, at 7:00pm, at FAU Jupiter (5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL), will be the Palm Beach County premiere of Perfect Strangers, which takes place on the night of an eclipse, at a gathering of seven childhood friends at a dinner party. Following a discussion on whether or not everyone has secrets, the group agrees to place their cell phones on the table and share every call and text message received. Soon they discover, no matter how long you've known someone or how well you think you know them, no one is exactly who they say they are.

Keshet Shorts: Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ Jewish and families can live with full equity, justice, and dignity. Four short-feature films will be shown at FAU Jupiter on January 28 at 7pm in partnership with Keshet, including: Mazel Tov, which focuses on Adam Weizmann's Bar Mitzvah and his steps towards coming to terms with his sexuality; Make Me a King, the story of acceptance TODAY based on the history of Jewish Drag Kings 100 years ago; Ramona Star, the story of a Brazilian drag queen dreaming of making the world a more tolerant place, which has its North American premiere at the PBJFF; and Sin and Repent, the story of 20-year-old Yaakov, who lost his faith and seeks forgiveness from his father - a cantor - on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Classically Themed 'Jewish Film Festival' Picks

March '68 has its Palm Beach County premiere on January 22 at 1pm at Cinemark Boynton Beach in addition to being available virtually starting February 12. The film is the love story of two young students in 1960s Warsaw who despite their efforts to avoid politics, find they are unable to and eventually discover freedom comes at a high price.
Where Life Begins has its Palm Beach County premiere on January 22 at 7pm at Cinemark Boynton Beach.

It is the story of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family from Aix-les-Bains that comes to a farm in Calabria for a brief stay every year to carry out a sacred mission of harvesting citrons. A story of freedom, finding one's path and peace is told.

Lost Transport has its Palm Beach County premiere on January 23 at 4pm at Regal, Royal Palm Beach, and will be shown again during the festival's virtual week. When a German train deporting hundreds of Jewish prisoners is abandoned near a small German village occupied by the Red Army, THE VILLAGE quickly turns into a chaotic refugee camp. Despite their traumas, three women are forced by circumstances to help each other.

Films Featuring Live Q&A Sessions

Get to know the directors, actors and team behind the festival films America and Exodus 91, Jewish Jail Lady and the Holy Thief, Light into Darkness, Rock Camp, and Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen.

Closing Film: The closing film on February 11, at 7:00pm, at FAU Jupiter, will be the Palm Beach County premiere of The Jews and the Blues, a musical journey that becomes something much more. Follow documentary filmmaker, musician, and talk show host, Drew Stone as he travels to Israel to discover how blues music ties into an incredible mix of cultures. Stone will be present for the premiere and participate in a live Q&A with the audience.

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