Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
DENVER, Colo., – Tickets are still available for the 29th Annual Denver Jewish Film Festival, which runs from January 23 to February 2, 2025, at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the JCC. The festival features more than 20 entertaining and educational films including documentaries, comedies, narratives and shorts, and presents the best and brightest cinematic moments from newly released Israeli and Jewish cinema, actors, or producers. The Denver Jewish Film Festival includes thought-provoking stories, heartfelt dramas, and inspiring documentaries that bring to life the unique perspectives of Jewish and Israeli filmmakers to entertain, challenge, and educate attendees.
“This year’s festival includes a true-crime drama, love stories, comedies, historical period pieces, documentaries and more, to appeal to people of all backgrounds and interests,” said Tim Campbell, program director at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center. “In addition to the 22 films we are showing, we will also be hosting some fun events in conjunction with select movies. For example, on January 30, we will show a film called “Yaniv,” about a high school teacher who participates in an underground card game run by the Hasidic Jewish community to raise money for the school musical. The film will be followed by a game night at JCC Denver. On February 2, we will show a film called “Torah Tropical,” which follows the phenomenon of Latin American Evangelical Christians converting to Orthodox Judaism. We’ll then have Columbian food for guests to purchase.”
Films to highlight include:
- Opening night on Thursday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. – “Running on Sand” – Aumari, a young Eritrean refugee living in Israel, is about to be deported back to his home country. After a spontaneous escape attempt at the airport, he is mistaken for a Nigerian soccer striker. Aumari seizes the opportunity and benefits from his change of identity. The opening night film will be preceded by a VIP reception with Eritrean food at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 29 at 5:30 p.m. – Shorts package with five short films from across the globe including comedy, documentary and narrative films.
- Wednesday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. – “We Will Dance Again” – A documentary about the Supernova Music Festival Massacre and the events that happened in Israel on October 7, 2023.
- Saturday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m. – “Bad Shabbos” – A comedy, starring Kyra Sedgwick, about an engaged interfaith couple whose parents are about to meet for the first time during a Shabbat dinner, when an accidental death gets in the way.
- Closing night on Sunday, February 2 at 7:15 p.m. – “Centered: Joe Lieberman” – Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish person to be a Vice-Presidential candidate on a major party ticket in the U.S., is celebrated for putting principles above party. This feature documentary chronicles Lieberman’s extraordinary journey, his 40-plus years of public service, and the depth of his commitment to the American people.
For a complete list of films and events happening during the festival, visit https://www.jccdenver.org/arts-culture/festivals/denver-jewish-film-festival/.
Tickets to films are sold individually or can be purchased as festival passes. Tickets include:
- In-person individual films – $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors with additional add-on fees for the VIP opening receptions and supplemental programming.
- 10-pack pass – $140 which includes 10 tickets to any of the films.
- All-access festival pass – $250 which includes admission for one individual to all in-person films and events including the opening and closing night receptions.
To see the complete lineup of films and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.jccdenver.org/arts-culture/festivals/denver-jewish-film-festival/. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center Box Office located at 350 S. Dahlia Street in Denver from December 10 – February 2 from 12-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. During the festival, from January 23 – February 2, the box office will be open one hour before all earliest in-person screenings.
ABOUT MIZEL ARTS AND CULTURE CENTER
As one of the Rocky Mountain region’s premier arts organizations, the Mizel Arts and Culture Center illuminates the human experience through creative and cultural programs in the performing, visual, cinematic and literary arts for the Jewish community and the Denver community at-large. The Mizel Arts and Culture Center is a Tier II member of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and is guided by a mission that is focused specifically on arts and cultural programs. A variety of festivals are offered throughout the year including Denver Jewish Film Festival and JAAMM Festival (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies, and Music Fest) as well as the Denver Children’s Theatre and the Wolf Theatre Academy. The Mizel Arts and Culture Center is located at the JCC Denver at 350 S. Dahlia Street in Denver. For more information, visit www.jccdenver.org/arts-culture or call 303-316-6360.
ABOUT STAENBERG-LOUP JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
The Staenberg – Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) serves the metro-Denver area through educational, social, cultural, fitness, sports and other programs that are rooted in Jewish tradition and values. The JCC offers a robust fitness, sports, tennis and aquatic center; early childhood engagement, including the Early Learning School and programming for families; the Mizel Arts and Culture Center; summer camps including Ranch Camp and Camp Shai; and engagement programming for teens, young adults, older adults, and the LGBTQIA+ community. The JCC Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 350 S. Dahlia Street in Denver. The community center is open to people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds. For more information, visit www.jccdenver.org, like us on Facebook and Instagram @jccdenver or call (303) 399-2660.
