Dec 25, 2017

Celebrate Israel at 70!

This year we are proud to celebrate Israel's 70th birthday by shining a special spotlight on the best of contemporary Israeli Cinema. Comprised of exciting and fresh narrative perspectives, we glimpse a country experiencing a new wave of artistry and talent that is tackling head on the cultural environment of the Israeli landscape. This special showcase will premiere more than a dozen extraordinary films, many of which you will be the first audience to experience and see! We can't wait to celebrate these magnificent films with all of you!

Celebrate Israel's 70th birthday with the year's most acclaimed films, including the Israeli Ophir Award winner Ben-Gurion Epilogue featuring the attendance of Alon Ben-Gurion, David Ben-Gurion's grandson, Eran Riklis' hotly anticipated new thriller Shelter, Nir Bergman's touching drama Saving Neta, the critically acclaimed film An Israeli Love Story, Savi Gabizon's Venice Festival Audience Award Winner Longing, one of Israel's biggest box office hits of the year Maktub starring Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon, and the Jerusalem Film Festival Best Israeli Film Award Winner Scaffolding, amongst many others!

Tickets are available to buy in advance online or at the theater's box office. A limited number of Premier Badges are still available to buy online providing access to all general screenings and events. MJFF Members are privileged to receive an exclusive discount and must email info@miamijewishfilmfestival.org to acquire it.

MJFF SELECTED ISRAELI FEATURE FILMS:

AN ISRAELI LOVE STORY, Florida Premiere

A true love story set in the budding theater world of Tel Aviv and the kibbutzim about the passionate romance between an aspiring actress and a soldier as they are torn between their love for one another and the armed struggle for Jewish independence from the British. Advance tickets available now!

AND THEN SHE ARRIVED, Florida Premiere

Does love really conquer all? This whimsical comedy fused with modern romance is a testament to the enduring truth that love holds unending power. And Then She Arrived is the new charming romantic comedy from Israeli director Roee Florentin (MJFF 2017 Mr. Predictable), with guest appearances from Einat Sarouf and Orna Banai, stars of MJFF 2017 Opening Night film The Women’s Balcony. Advance tickets available now!

AZIMUTH, Florida Premiere

Two wartime enemies trapped alone in the desert are the focus of this gripping and searing psychological drama that packs plenty of action and excitement. The time is the Six Day War. The place is the Sinai Desert a day after the Israeli/Egyptian cease-fire. From the instant they meet, a lost Egyptian soldier and his Israeli counterpart have the same objective: to kill each other. But it soon becomes apparent that the only way each can survive is by forging an uneasy truce and cooperating with one another. Advance tickets available now! 

BEN-GURION, EPILOGUE, Florida Premiere

An invaluable historical document and cinematic treasure compiled from six hours of newly discovered conversations with Israel's founding father and one of the most important statesmen of the 20th century. Featuring the attendance of Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of David Ben-Gurion. Winner of Israel's Ophir Award for Best Documentary! Advance tickets available now!

CITY TO CITY: YERUCHAM, North American Premiere

The Miami Jewish Film Festival proudly presents its inaugural City to City program by shining the spotlight on emerging filmmakers from Yerucham, Israel, Miami's partnership community. This eclectic selection of films in the City to City program showcases a broad picture of rising talent, presenting new voices and perspectives in Israeli cinema. Free community event, RSVP available now!

THE CAKEMAKER, Florida Premiere

With a palette and plot reminiscent of Pedro Almodóvar, this forbidden love story takes a wholly unexpected but richly rewarding turn of the heart when a dead man's lover seeks out his widow in order to help her recover and mend her emotional wounds. Director Ofir Raul Graizer will be in attendance. Winner of the Jury Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and the Jewish Experience Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival! Advance tickets available now!

THE ESSENTIAL LINK, Florida Premiere

Unraveling the elusive mystery behind the Jewish businessman, art collector, and forgotten hero Wilfrid Israel, who saved the lives of 10,000 Jews, played an integral role in the Kindertransport, and worked in partnership with British intelligence in WWII. Advance tickets available now!

FOXTROT, Florida Premiere

Winner of eight Israeli Ophir Awards including Best Film and Best Director, the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, and Israel's official entry for the Academy Awards, Foxtrot is one of the year's most acclaimed and harrowing films in its portrayal of grief and soldiering as a surreal, inescapable dance with destiny. Advance tickets are sold out, rush line only!

GOOD DEEDS: THE CONDUCTOR ZUBIN MEHTA, North American Premiere

A dazzling celebration of legendary Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Zubin Mehta's life, work, and ultimate belief in the power of music to heal and inspire. Featuring a special live performance by the Alhambra Quartet and introduction by Conductor Daniel Andai. Director Bettina Ehrhardt will be in attendance. Advance tickets available now!

LONGING, Florida Premiere

Winner of the Venice Film Festival Audience Award and nominated for 13 Israeli Ophir Awards, acclaimed Israeli director Savi Gabizon's affecting drama centers on a middle-aged Israeli bachelor who is forced to evaluate his life choices when he discovers he has a 20-year-old-son. Advance tickets available now!

MAKTUB, East Coast Premiere

Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon, the acclaimed writers and stars behind many Israeli TV mega-hits, play partners in crime in this hilarious, politically incorrect caper that is also one of Israel's biggest box office hits of the year. Advance tickets available now!

SAVING NETA, Florida Premiere

Directed by multi-award-winner Nir Bergman (Broken Wings, Intimate Grammar), Saving Neta tells the touching stories of four women whose lives change after their brief encounter with a mysterious stranger called Neta. Humor, drama, love, and hope all intertwine in this powerful and moving portrait of family relationships and parenthood. Winner of the Audience Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival! Advance tickets available now!

SCAFFOLDING, Florida Premiere

In this deeply moving drama reminiscent of Dead Poets Society and Stand and Deliver, a simple life becomes complicated when a literature teacher challenges a troublemaking student to open his mind and test his boundaries. Winner of the Best Israeli Film Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival and nominated for eight Israeli Ophir Awards! Advance tickets available now!

SHELTER, South Florida Premiere

Lemon Tree meets John Le Carré in internationally acclaimed Israeli director Eran Riklis' gripping psychological thriller that centers on an Israeli Mossad agent (Neta Riskin, from MJFF 2018 films Longing and Saving Neta) who must protect a Lebanese woman (Golshifteh Farahani, star of Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson) from terrorists by sheltering her in a safe house. Advance tickets available now!

THE TESTAMENT, Florida Premiere

In this riveting drama, a Jewish historian risks his career, his religious beliefs, and his identity to discover the truth of the Holocaust atrocity he is investigating. Winner of the Best Feature Film Award at the Haifa Film Festival! Advance tickets available now!

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, Florida Premiere

The inspiring account of young Israeli soldiers who experience the unthinkable in battle, but find ways to heal, grow, and transform their lives through friendship and giving to others. Producers Raphael Shore & Matt Weisbaum will be in attendance to introduce the film and participate in an extended conversation afterward. Advance tickets available now!