Home / The Latest / CAJE Blog

Telling Stories: The Impact of the MJFF

Posted on 04/15/2022 @ 08:00 AM

Tags: Miami Jewish Film Festival

Telling Stories is at the heart of Pesach (Passover).
 
We read from a book (more like a script) called a Haggadah (literally: telling) in which we reenact a distant dramatic experience (the Exodus from Egypt) by performing ritual activities in an orderly manner at a seder (literally: order) so as to remember the past and to link it to the present.
 
Telling stories is also the essential purpose of cinema.
 
This past milestone edition of CAJE’s Miami Jewish Film Festival, we were thrilled to have met and even exceeded our goal of expanding the reach and community for independent film in this challenging year.
 
Since launching 25 years ago, the Miami Jewish Film Festival has served to open doors for more storytellers and audiences of diverse backgrounds than any other festival of its kind in the world.
 
The MJFF 2021-22 Annual Impact Report is filled with amazing results that demonstrate to our community and everyone in the film world why the Miami Jewish Film Festival is the largest and most outstanding film festival in the State of Florida and one of the top 50 in the world!

Here are just a few of the highlights:
  • This year marked MJFF as not only the largest film festival of its kind, but also for a second year in a row it received the prestigious recognition of being one of the “50 Best Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine, the first time ever that a Jewish festival was honored in the publications twenty-year history. MJFF was once again the only Florida film festival listed in this year’s edition.
  • MJFF showcased a record-setting 148 film premieres, representing an incredible 25 countries, with 37% of titles directed, co-directed, or created by women.
  • The 2022 Miami Jewish Film Festival served more than 60,000 virtual and in-person attendees in total.
  • Education: 63 Filmmakers, stars, and special guests representing 25 countries participated in Q&A’s, panels, and talk-backs at the Festival.
  • More than 30 Israeli films, the largest Israeli film program in North America, which featured titans of Israeli cinema.
  • As part of its Knight Arts Challenge winning project, MJFF commissioned local artists to create original film scores that were performed live alongside Yiddish and Jewish silent films newly restored by the National Center for Jewish Film.
  • Inaugurated its Accessibility+Inclulsion program focused on showcasing films that that highlight the diversity and commonality of the human experience, bringing awareness and appreciation for the lives, stories, and artistic expression of people with disabilities.
  • For a sixth year, MJFF hosted a dedicated section for its Next Wave initiative, a program targeted to those between the ages of 21 -35.
  • MJFF was honored by the City of Miami Beach Commissioners who recognized the Festival by officially making Thursday, January 20, 2022, “Miami Jewish Film Festival Day.”
  • MJFF presents an ambitious selection of films year-round in partnership with numerous community organizations. In total, this year the Festival hosted 58 film events, presented 10 free film series, featured 23 educational components and served 20,000 audience members.

The past year has affirmed the importance and power of sharing stories. Independent film continues to catalyze critical conversations that help us make sense of our changing world.
 
As we come together – in our living rooms or under the stars alfresco, and soon, back in theatrical spaces – film is playing an essential role in keeping us connected. Story and technology both continue to break isolation, barriers, and borders.
 
Thank you for your support of our Miami Jewish Film Festival. We hope you will enjoy looking back at all we were able to achieve together this year.
 
Our upcoming 26th Edition taking place on January 12-26, 2023, and we look forward to seeing you… at the movies!
MJFF PASSOVER FILM SERIES
The Miami Jewish Film Festival is hosting a special virtual Passover film series featuring several noteworthy MJFF films that you can start watching now from the comfort of your home, with 100% of all funds collected going to support those impacted by the crisis through GMJF's Ukraine Emergency Fund. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION