2025 represents the 40th anniversary of The Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival, the third longest-running Festival of its kind. This seems quite a milestone, one worthy of celebration. And so it shall be.
Our Opening event will take place at the newly renovated Buffalo History Museum on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Plans include a reception – that’s food, drink, and conversation – followed by a terrific and appropriate film of historical significance.
Then on Friday, March 28, the Festival shall move to its longtime venue, the Amherst Dipson Theatre, where 12 extraordinary films will be screened. The lineup includes many award-winning movies. Our Festival Committee has devoted itself to finding the best available Jewish-themed films worldwide. In addition to several from the United States and Israel, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and, surprisingly, Columbia will be represented.
Our films run the gamut. There will be, naturally, a Holocaust-related film which is quite unique. But since this is a celebratory year, the overwhelming majority are uplifting.
This may be a very trying time for Israel, with the country at war on three fronts. However, other issues need to be dealt with. Our Israeli films take a look at immigration, homelessness, and outdated subcultural customs that persist. Other films focus on family estrangement and reconciliation, a cantor’s mid-life crisis, and a one-time popular writer’s effort to resurrect his career. One small-town rabbi learns to shoot and carry a gun to protect his community, and how Franz Kafka’s final year may have been his happiest. In addition, there are several intriguing documentaries.
After our run at the Amherst Theatre, the Festival will conclude on Sunday afternoon, April 6, with a Family event at the Amherst JCC, including the showing of that classic animated children’s movie, An American Tail. It was released 40 years ago but not shown at the Festival. Many current children have never seen this beloved film, which captures the Spirit of America so wonderfully.
Be sure to check our website to learn more about these extraordinary films. And to buy your tickets. This is a special year for the BIJFF, and we guarantee you will want to be a part of it.