JEWISH FEDERATION OF EASTERN CONNECTICUT

2025 Jewish FilmFest

31st Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT

Presented by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut

MARCH 23 – MAY 18, 2025

The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut (JFEC) is proud to present Eastern Connecticut's 31st annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT, celebrating 31 years of Jewish history, culture, and identity. The FilmFest will run from Sunday, March 23 through Sunday, May 18, 2025. The Jewish Federation is excited to present this year’s FilmFest with all in person showings.

Tickets for individual films are $12 per person. The 2025 FilmPass for the first five films is $48 per person. The final film, JEWS OF THE WILD WEST, will be screened at United Theatre in Westerly. Tickets for this film can be purchased at the United Theatre website - https://unitedtheatre.org

KEEP THE CHANGE

United States, 2017, Romance/Comedy/Autism, English, 94 minutes

Sunday, March 23, 2:00pm, Beth Jacob Synagogue

 

KEEP THE CHANGE tells the story of aspiring filmaker David who is mandated by a judge to attend a social program at the Jewish Community Center. David is sure of one thing: he doesn't belong there. But when he's assigned to visit the Brooklyn Bridge with the vivacious Sarah, sparks fly, and convictions are tested. Their budding relationship must weather Sarah's romantic past, David's judgmental mother, and their own preconceptions of what love is supposed to look like.

 

NEITHER DAY NOR NIGHT

Israel, 2024, Drama/Family Issues, English subtitles, 90 minutes

Sunday, March 30, 3:30pm, Temple Emanu-El

 

NEITHER DAY NOR NIGHT tells the story of a French family of Sephardic heritage living in the heart of the Ashkenazi community in Bnei Brak, Israel. The story centers at the struggle between the father, Shmuel, and his son's Talmud study headmaster - a conflict that will lead to tragic, unexpected results.

 

LOVE GETS A ROOM

Spain/UK, 2023, Drama/Musical/Romance, English, 103 minutes

Sunday, April 6, 2:00pm, Beth Jacob Synagogue

 

Inspired by true events. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, LOVE GETS A ROOM is the story of a Jewish stage actress who must make the gut-wrenching decision to follow her heart or to escape the Warsaw ghetto. Told in real time, the film is a romantic tale of love and survival in the face of evil.

 

PINK LADY

Israel/Italy, 2024, Drama/Family Issues/LGBTQ+, English subtitles, 104 minutes

Sunday, April 27, 2:00pm, Beth Jacob Synagogue

 

PINK LADY tells the story of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, in which Bati has a seemingly perfect life. She is happily married to Lazer, and the young couple have three children. But their world starts to crumble when Lazer is blackmailed, and Bati discovers his secret affair with his male Torah partner. Desperate to protect her family and keep the man she loves, she supports Lazer as he attempts to "cure" his homosexuality, whilst uncovering her true desires.

 

THE BLOND BOY FROM THE CASBAH

France, 2023, Narrative Feature/Comedy, English subtitles, 126 minutes

Sunday, May 4, 2:00pm, Beth Jacob Synagogue

 

Passionate filmmaker Antoine travels to his birthplace, Algiers, with his young son to present his new film: an account of his childhood in mid-20th century Algeria during the country's civil war. As he wanders through the city, Antoine immerses viewers in the moments of happiness, laughter, and tears of his childhood - spent between school, friends, and his Jewish family. Growing up in the final moments of Algeria's pre-independence period, the young Antoine discovers his profound fascination with cinema and starts to understand who he truly is.

 

JEWS OF THE WILD WEST

United States, 2022, Feature Documentary, English subtitles, 80 minutes

Sunday, May 18, 4:00pm, United Theatre, Westerly, RI

 

Widening the historical lens, JEWS OF THE WILD WEST is a documentary that focuses on an under-explored aspect of Jewish history: the role that Jews played in Western American expansion, both in real life and in the movies. Through a tapestry of archival footage, photographs, and interviews, Amanda Kinsey's pioneering film entertainingly excavates the past through the stories of an array of people from known names like Max Aronson (the real "Bronco Billy Anderson") and Levi Strauss, to some you may not have heard about.

 

2025 FilmFest Sponsors

The Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT committee wishes to send a heartfelt “Todah Rabah” to the members of our community who continue to annually support the FilmFest. Your support enables us to bring exceptional films that explore life experiences as well as dynamic speakers who engage our audience.

Ticket revenue accounts for a portion of the FilmFest’s budget. We rely on our sponsors to bridge the difference and help us create an outstanding Festival for all!

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a 2025 or 2026 Jewish Film Fest sponsor, please contact rebecca@jfec.com.

The Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT is made possible by the generous support of donors like you. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law.

 

Thank you to our 2025 Jewish FilmFest Sponsors...

 

Executive Producer

Leiser Family Foundation

Director

Carol Curland

Daren Philanthropic Fund

Martin & Millie Shapiro

Valenti Family of Dealerships

 

Leading Actor

Attorney Richard J. Pascal, LLC

Kim & Kenn Fischburg

Sayet & Seder

Whaling City Ford

Supporting Cast

Cecile & Barry Feldman

Karen & Rabbi Aaron Rosenberg

Stanley & Karen Bloustine

 

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