The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) proudly announces the program for its 28th edition, a dynamic hybrid of virtual and live events featuring 133 films. Running from January 9-23, 2025, the festival will showcase 110 feature films and 23 shorts from 25 countries, including 20 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 9 North American premieres, and 6 U.S. premieres.
As the largest Jewish film festival in the world, MJFF’s 28th Edition will host over 80 in-theater screenings across eight venues in Greater Miami, including Miami Beach, Coral Gables, and North Miami. Additionally, an online component will make over 80 films available for streaming to audiences across Florida and the United States.
The festival’s opening night kicks off with the world premiere of Soul of a Nation, directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. This inspiring and eye-opening film delves into one of Israel’s most turbulent chapters, chronicling the journey from crisis and division to unity and resilience following the October 7 tragedy. Featuring exclusive insights from influential leaders and a heartfelt vision of hope, the premiere will include an introduction by Jonathan Jakubowicz and producer Claudine Jakubowicz, followed by a post-screening Q&A.
The Festival’s closing night will feature the premiere of Matchmaking 2, the latest by renowned Israeli filmmaker Erez Tadmor. This sequel to the beloved 2022 romantic drama is Israel’s biggest box office hit of the year, offering an endlessly witty and sweetly romantic take on a modern Romeo-and-Juliet tale starring some of Israel’s most dazzling young talents.
MJFF’s Headliners program features standout selections and award-winning films from festivals worldwide. Highlights include the East Coast premiere of Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi’s riveting thriller Tatami, notable for being the first film co-directed by an Israeli and Iranian; Michel Hazanavicius’ Cannes Competition title The Most Precious of Cargoes; Andres Veiel’s provocative documentary Riefenstahl about the controversial German filmmaker; the U.S. premiere of Midas Man about Brian Epstein and The Beatles; Oren Rudavsky’s intimate documentary Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire; the Tribeca Audience Award-winning comedy Bad Shabbos, starring Kyra Sedgwick and Method Man; the Safdie brothers-produced Andy Kaufman documentary Thank You Very Much; the U.S. premiere of The Spoils, a fascinating film about restitution of Nazi-looted art; the Argentinean comedy Most People Die on Sundays, featured in Cannes’ Acid sidebar; and the Academy Award submissions for Best International Feature Film from Hungary (Semmelweis) and Slovakia (The Hungarian Dressmaker).
Made in Florida Focus to Miami Jewish Film Festival
Reinforcing its dedication to showcasing local talent, the Miami Jewish Film Festival shines a spotlight on “Made in Miami” movies this year, featuring several films receiving their world premieres. Among them is Miami Schmatta, a compelling exploration of the vibrant immigrant legacy that shaped the American garment industry, set against the colorful backdrop of Miami. Also premiering are Miami-based filmmakers Wendy Sach’s October H8te, a timely film about antisemitism on college campuses following the October 7 tragedy, as well as Leslie Benitah’s Milk & Honey, Blood & Tears, a powerful documentary chronicling the resilience and recovery of Kibbutz Be’eri following the devastating October 7 attack. The film poignantly contrasts the kibbutz’s peaceful past with the harsh realities of survival and healing.
Diving into the 2025 Film Festival program by the numbers, MJFF audiences will be able to experience a lineup boasting 133 films, including 20 world premieres, 8 international premieres, 9 North American premieres, 6 US premieres, 18 East Coast premieres, 35 Southeast US premieres, and 18 Florida premieres, among others, as well as over 50 conversations with filmmakers, stars, and scholars from around the world.
Full details on the program and tickets to the festival can be found at: www.miamijewishfilmfestival.org
