2024 Portland Jewish Film Festival

Photo courtesy OJMCHE

The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is hosting the annual Portland Jewish Film Festival, an event that promises to captivate audiences with its diverse lineup of thought-provoking films.

For over two decades, the Portland Jewish Film Festival has been a significant cultural event. This year’s event promises to build on the festival’s rich legacy, providing a platform for shared experiences and a deeper understanding of the Jewish narrative.

Scheduled for January, this festival is a celebration of Jewish life, history, and complexity, featuring full-length films and shorts.

Here are the details about this year’s event.

The Portland Jewish Film Festival is January 9-14, 2024. The screenings feature five new full-length films and two selected shorts that explore the complexity, history and joy of Jewish life.

Following each screening, the festival provides a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with authors, filmmakers, scholars and artists in enlightening talk-back sessions. These discussions will delve into the themes and contexts of the films, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

Here’s the schedule:

Film Fest Schedule

Remembering Gene Wilder – Tuesday, January 9 | 7 pm

The festival opens with a tribute to the legendary actor, Gene Wilder. This film takes viewers on a journey of joy and laughter amid darkness, offering a moving and essential portrait of this Jewish icon. The trailer hints at a celebration of life, inviting the audience to rediscover the magic that Wilder brought to the screen.

Vishniac – Wednesday, January 10 | 7 pm

“Vishniac” invites audiences to explore the life of photographer Roman Vishniac. From pre-war Berlin to the shtetlach of Poland and Lithuania, and even to the offices of Albert Einstein in Princeton, the film delves into Vishniac’s achievements in art and science. It promises to be a visually stunning and intellectually engaging journey through history.

The Artist’s Daughter and Mom & Judy – Thursday, January 11 | 7 pm

Thursday’s screenings bring a double feature with “The Artist’s Daughter” and the short film “Mom & Judy.” Set in Tel Aviv, the former is a surprising and bewildering portrait of the relationship between a renowned artist and his filmmaker daughter. The latter, a light-hearted exploration of memory, aging, and health, adds a touch of Jewish humor to the festival.

Nathan–ism and The Anne Frank Gift Shop – Saturday, January 13 | 7 pm

Saturday’s program promises intrigue and reflection. “Nathan–ism” recounts the post-World War II experiences of Nathan Hilu, a son of Syrian Jewish immigrants, tasked with guarding top Nazi war criminals. Paired with “The Anne Frank Gift Shop,” a dark comedy exploring the complexities of discussing the Holocaust, this evening is sure to spark conversations about collective trauma.

Irena’s Vow – Sunday, January 14 | 2 pm

The festival concludes on a powerful note with “Irena’s Vow,” a film set in 1939 Warsaw. This gripping tale follows nurse Irena Gut as she risks everything to save Jewish refugees from persecution and murder during the Nazi invasion of Poland. A testament to courage and resilience, this film is bound to leave a lasting impact.

Tickets and Location

General admission is $12 per screening and $10 for OJMCHE members, students and seniors. You can buy these tickets online for each movie. Film festival passes to all screenings are $55 each.

The festival is at Portland State University’s Lincoln Hall,1620 SW Park Ave. in Portland.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit OJMCHE’s website.

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