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The Denver Jewish Film Festival (DJFF) is celebrating a major milestone this year: Its 30th anniversary. That makes this annual fete older than Bo Nix, Cale Makar, and Jamal Murray—but no less laudable.
The festival, running January 22 to February 1, features a lineup of films and shorts that are either produced by Jewish creators or have a strong connection to Jewish culture and identity. ”I like to say that we’re building community—community at large. You don’t have to be Jewish to be part of this community. Everyone is welcome,” says Tim Campbell, program director at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center.
Since the inaugural event in 1996, the DJFF has flourished: The 200-seat theater expanded to 400 seats. The weekend event is now more than a week long. And the handful of screenings has increased to a lineup of 40 films, many of which would never play in Denver theaters otherwise.
But if you don’t have time to enjoy every movie on the menu, here are five that Campbell says you shouldn’t miss—plus one special event.
1. The Ring
When: Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m.
The opening night film is Campbell’s favorite on the roster because “it’s not your traditional Holocaust story,” he says. The dramedy follows a man named Arnon Noble whose mother survived the Holocaust by giving a Nazi a gold ring. But when his mother falls ill, Noble travels back to Budapest to try and find the ring—and maybe reconnect with his estranged daughter. One of the Israeli filmmakers will be in attendance, and a VIP opening night reception will take place beforehand at 6 p.m.
2. Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
When: Sunday, January 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Many of us were likely introduced to Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel back in middle school when his poignant memoir Night was required reading. But when was the last time you revisited the life of this Nobel Peace Prize winner? This documentary relies on personal archives and interviews to expose Wiesel’s inner convictions and conflicts previously only known to his most trusted friends. Following the screening, director Oren Rudavsky will discuss the film and participate in an audience Q&A with Colorado State Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet.
3. Full Support
When: Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m., and Wednesday, January 28 at 10 a.m.
Bra shopping is typically a private affair, but Full Support takes viewers into the fitting room of a boutique in Jaffa, Israel, as women bare more than just skin. This 68-minute documentary takes you behind the curtain of several women’s lives as they grapple with their bodies, beauty, and beliefs. Caregivers will appreciate that the Wednesday morning screening is baby-friendly (the seating area will be lit, kids can move around, and parents should feel comfortable feeding their children).
4. 31 Candles
When: Thursday, January 29 at 7 p.m.
The premise of this 90-minute feature is reminiscent of a Hallmark rom-com: The main character is a Jewish film director who makes Christmas movies. After running into his childhood crush from camp, who now teaches bar mitzvah classes, he decides to finally have his own bar mitzvah (a ritual traditionally occurring at age 13) at the age of 31. Tip: As a designated “date night film,” you can add childcare (for kids ages three and older) to your ticket for $7
5. KosherSoul
When: Sunday, February 1 at 10 a.m.
Part of a quartet of short films showing on the festival’s final day, KosherSoul is a documentary about Michael W. Twitty, a James Beard Award–winning author and culinary historian who is Black and Jewish. The film follows how Twitty’s cultural background influences the dishes he creates and the importance of representation in the restaurant industry. A special Pride brunch will be held following the shorts program.
Special Event: Telling Our Stories Through Animation Workshop
When: Wednesday, January 28 at 6 p.m.
Following the screening of the 12-minute short Of The Heart, animation director Alex Salsberg will lead a discussion and workshop about how to develop animation from true stories. No prior skills are required, but participants will receive hands-on experience with interviewing, storyboarding, and character design.
Tickets can be purchased for individual films ($18 for adults), as 10-pack passes ($140–$170), or an all-access festival pass ($325).
