The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF), the world’s largest Jewish film festival, proudly announces the full program for its 29th edition, returning January 14-29, 2026, with its most expansive lineup to date. This year’s Festival will present 139 films from 20 countries, including 105 features and 34 shorts, featuring 15 world premieres, 19 international premieres, 13 North American premieres, and 3 U.S. premieres. The hybrid festival will offer more than 90 live screenings across eight venues throughout Greater Miami, expected to welcome over 50,000 attendees, alongside an online program showcasing more than 80 films available to audiences across Florida and the United States.
Opening the Festival is Once Upon My Mother, a triumphant and big-hearted French box-office hit that celebrates the transformative power of maternal love. The premiere will take place at the historic Miami Beach Bandshell amphitheater, where more than 800 guests will join acclaimed director Ken Scott for an unforgettable evening under the stars. Closing the 29th edition is the International Emmy Award–winning Israeli drama The Ring, a powerful and deeply emotional odyssey following a father and daughter’s journey from Tel Aviv to Budapest as they search for a gold ring that once saved their family during the Holocaust. Headlining this year’s slate is the world premiere of From Cuba to America, a made-in-Miami portrait of beloved community icon George Feldenkreis and his extraordinary journey from Havana to building the Perry Ellis fashion empire. Featuring original music by Grammy-winning legend Emilio Estefan, the film reflects Miami’s creative spirit and the Festival’s commitment to celebrating local storytelling.
Also debuting as a headline premiere is Influenced, a laugh-out-loud, big-hearted comedy starring Jill Kargman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Matt Damon, and David Krumholtz. Director Rachel Israel and Jill Kargman will attend the highly anticipated world premiere event. The Festival will welcome more than 75 filmmakers and distinguished guests from around the world. Among this year’s international guests are Amanda Peet and director Matthew Shear, who will present the charming romantic comedy Fantasy Life, also featuring two-time Oscar nominee Judd Hirsch, Alessandro Nivola, and Jessica Harper. Peet will also introduce a special nostalgic screening of the modern classic Igby GoesDown. Acclaimed producer Nancy Spielberg and award-winning Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval will be inattendance for the premiere of their timely new documentary A Letter to David, following David Cunio, abducted from an Israeli kibbutz on October 7. Additional guests include trailblazing singer, songwriter, and pop-culture icon Carol Connors for the documentary Elvis, Rocky, and Me; Israeli comedic duo Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon for the premiere of Pure Luck; legendary documentarian Alan Berliner presenting Benita; and filmmaker Paula Eiselt premiering her joyfully nostalgic documentary We Met at Grossinger’s.
By the numbers, the 2026 Miami Jewish Film Festival will showcase 139 films, including 15 world premieres, 19 international premieres, 13 North American premieres, 3 U.S. premieres, 8 East Coast premieres, 48 Southeast U.S. premieres, and 20 Florida premieres, along with more than 50 conversations with filmmakers, artists, and scholars from across the globe. Full program details and tickets are available at miamijewishfilmfestival.org.
