The 35th Annual Orange County International Jewish Film Festival 2024-2025
Founded by University Synagogue
Now in its 35th season, the OCJFF showcases Jewish-themed feature and documentary films from November through April. Founded by University Synagogue and co-partnered by 8 partner organizations. The festival welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Co-partnered by: ADL, Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot, OC Hillel, OC Community Scholar Program, Reform Temple of Laguna Woods, Temple Bat Yahm, Temple Beth Tikvah, Congregation B’nai Tzedek, Heritage Pointe Senior Living
Virtual Film Festival Process
- The Film Festival will begin Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
- Registration will be available until two days prior to each film showing, Monday at 2:00 p.m.
- The film link and password, along with a Zoom Link for the Sunday film discussion, will be emailed to all registrants one day prior to the film showing.
- Each film will be available to view for a 48 hour period. Access begins at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning and will continue through Thursday until 11:59 p.m.
- The link will not be available after the 48 hour period and payments are non-refundable.
If you do not receive the film link by 3:00 p.m., one day prior to the film, please email nicole@universitysynagogue.org
Pricing (per household) $12 per film or $100 for the series (all 11 films).
FIlm Festival Schedule
GLORY OF LIFE
November 6
The romantic story of the celebrated author Franz Kafka and his last love.
The Glory of Life deals with the last year of Kafka's life. In his last year he became very ill with tuberculosis. In that year, 1923, Kafka met Dora Diamant on the Baltic Coast and they became lovers. This beautiful film also portrays Kafka's friendship with Max Brod, who was responsible for getting Kafka's work published.
In German with English subtitles
RUNNING ON SAND
November 20
Aumari, a young Ertrean refugee living in Israel and about to be deported, escapes at the airport, ironically he’s mistaken for a soccer star. Despite the lack of any soccer talent he’s able to cover up and heal the divisions of a struggling team. A warm feel good film.
Nominated for the Israeli Academy Award for Best Film.
In Hebrew with English Subtitles
HOME
December 4
A young Orthodox man's dream of opening a computer store in an ultra orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, securing the blessings of the local religious authorities, turns into nightmare when the entire neighborhood sees him as an establishment threat and violently reacts. Even his wife wants him to study rather than become a business man. "Home" shows the complexity of living within the Haredi community.
"Home" won the Ophir Award for Actor and Supporting Actor.
In Hebrew with English subtitles
THIS IS MY MOTHER
January 8, 2025
"This is My Mother" is a poignant French comedy/drama.
It touches on a host of important subjects: mental illness, mother-son relationships and trust. A 33 year old Jewish man is just beginning to expand his floral business and develop a new romantic interest. His mother, Judith, suffers from a bi-polar disorder and returns home after escaping from the clinic where she has been for two years - to completely upend her son's life!
In French with English subtitles
THE MONKEY HOUSE
January 22, 2025
This Israeli comedy drama was inspired by a true story of a successful novelist who lost his fame and recognition and is trying to revive his fading career. He creates a complicated scheme to relaunch his career and in the process hires a "wanna be" actress to assume the identity of a literary student. The result alters their lives in unexpected ways.
The Monkey House was nominated for 11 Israeli Academy Awards (Ophirs)
In Hebrew and Italian with English subtitles
UNSPOKEN
February 5, 2025
Unspoken is a semi-autobiographical coming of age story about a smart, witty modern Orthodox high school boy, Noam, who was raised in a suburb in middle America. When his beloved grandfather, a Holocaust survivor dies, Noam discovers a letter from a friend of his grandfather during the Holocaust. This discovery reveals a secret of his grandfather's past which propels Noam into coming to terms with his own identity.
In English
HILA
February 19, 2025
Hila, a single mother, is obsessively in love with an author with whom she had an affair, became pregnant and had a child, now 7 years old. As she slowly realizes that their affair was just that, Hila feels abandoned and attempts to gather her strength to stand on her own to make her way in the world. Emotionally resonant, beautifully acted and paced. Hila captures the isolation of this small family and the yearning of both its members for community and acceptance.
In Hebrew with English subtitles
PINK LADY
March 5, 2025
In an ultra Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, Bati has a seemingly perfect life. She is happily married to Lazer and has three children. However their world crumbles when Lazer is blackmailed and Bati discovers his secret affair with his male study partner.
This journey tests their love and faith and it changes their lives forever.
In Hebrew with English subtitles
THE BOY IN THE WOODS
March 19, 2025
This film tells us of the remarkable and inspiring true life survival of a young Jewish boy from Warsaw, trying to evade capture during the Second World War.
Rotten Tomatoes gave The Boy In the Woods a 100% rating.
In English
AUCTION
April 2, 2025
"Auction" is a satirical look into the international world of art dealing and auctions in Paris.
It tells the story of a discovery by an innocent factory worker of an art masterpiece created by a Jewish artist which was hidden by the Nazis. The question is the authenticity of the work. There are twists to finally reveal the truth and to examine personal motivations.
In French with English subtitles
PROSECUTING EVIL: THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF BEN FERENCZ
April 23, 2025
(for Yom HaShoah)
"Prosecuting Evil" tells the story of the last living Nuremberg prosecutor, Ben Ferencz who prosecuted the soldiers of the Third Reich. He was only 27 at the time and the voice for the concern that this could not happen again. Ferencz is telling his own tale of being the key player of the biggest murder trial in history!
Kenneth Turin of the Los Angels Times:
Self-aware, funny and articulate, blessed with a first-class temperament, Ferencz is front and center telling his own tale, which includes being the key player in what's been called the biggest murder trial in history
In English
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