Jewish Film Festival 2022

The Jewish International Film Festival returns to the big screen this year with a program of 55 feature films and a shorts package from 20 countries around the world.

With a program that includes 31 feature films of which two are world premiere screenings of Australian produced films, 25 documentaries, episodes from a television series, six short films, live music and cabaret, there’s sure to be something of interest for all festival attendees.

“Adapting to change has been a theme for all of us over the past two years and our selection of films only highlights the challenges that come with adapting to change; a story all too familiar to Jewish people,” Jewish International Film Festival Artistic Director Eddie Tamir explained to City Hub.

“Amongst the cacophony of infinite entertainment choices available to us today, we are privileged to present this wonderfully curated program of incredible stories for the 2022 edition of JIFF, alongside a lively program of events and experiences.”

With so many films to choose from the following are some of the highlights:

Greener Pastures should be a crowd-pleaser for lovers of comedic cinema. This is the story about an elderly man who is forced into a nursing home by his family. His plan is to sell weed to the ‘inmates’ of this ‘prison’, escape and re-purchase his home again. A light-hearted and hilarious Israeli comedy.

I Am Here is an insightful documentary detailing the life journey of Ella Blumenthal, a South African Holocaust survivor. Her memories of the unthinkable experienced during one of the darkest chapters in history translates into a revealing narrative about courage and resilience of the human spirit.

Tiger Within is an inspiring story of the unlikely friendship that builds between a 14-year-old runaway and a Holocaust survivor. Ed Asner makes a rare appearance on the silver screen in this tender story that concerns overcoming fear, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

Speer Goes To Hollywood is an extraordinary documentary that explores the horrifying true story of Albert Speer, the highest ranking Nazi in Nuremberg who was freed and attempted to erase his past by writing a screenplay for a major Hollywood film studio based on his memoir. Supplemented by rare archival footage this is astonishing but must-see viewing.

The Conference is the haunting account of that fateful morning on 20 January, 1942 when the leaders of the Nazi regime assembled to discuss the Final Solution to the Jewish Question which led to the systematic murder of millions of Jews.

Mar 3–Apr 4. Ritz Cinema, Randwick. 45, St Pauls St, Randwick. $23-$175+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.jiff.com.au