The 20th Annual Long Beach Jewish Film Festival

Screening five great Jewish-themed films with genres including romantic comedies, dramas, and even animation, in-person at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (Alpert JCC), the Long Beach Jewish Film Festival kicks off with Premiere Night, 6-9 pm, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The festival runs through Sunday, January 21. Throughout the festival, attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of the films with prescreening receptions, and guest speakers. Before the Film Festival begins, they are screening two free movies for teens and families.

The Premiere Night Reception features a stroll on the red carpet, gourmet popcorn, live music, drinks, and more followed by the first film of the Festival, Marrying Myself.

Tickets are on sale now. Buy a ticket to an individual film or save with a pass and get access to all films, VIP skip-the-line, unlimited drinks at receptions, a souvenir popcorn container, and more.

Admission for Premiere Night is $25 ($20 Alpert JCC members). Admission for individual

films are $20 ($15 AJCC members). A Festival Pass is available for $118 ($85 AJCC members).

THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL MARQUEE:

January 6, 6 PM: You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah (2023)

(Free Teen Movie Night)

Comedy; Stacy and Lydia are BFFs who’ve always dreamed about having epic Bat Mitzvahs. However, things start to go comically awry when a popular boy and middle school drama threatens their friendship and their rite of passage. (IMDB)

January 14, 3 PM: An American Tail (1986) (Free Family Movie Day)

Animation; While emigrating to the United States, a young Russian mouse gets separated from his family and must relocate them while trying to survive in a new country. (IMDB)

January 17, 7 PM: Marrying Myself (2022) (Premiere Night)

Comedy/Romance; Mid 30’s Tel Aviv single woman has had a succession of lousy relationships so decides to marry herself. After making the announcement public within her entire circle and initiating wedding planning, a romantic opportunity enters her life. (IMDB)

January 18, 7 PM: The Story of Annette Zelman (2023)

Drama; She was Jewish. He was Catholic. Annette and Jean wanted to get married, but Jean’s parents were opposed. Annette Zelman was reported to the Gestapo by her fiancé’s father and was sent to Auschwitz. Based on a true story. (Menemsha Films)

January 20, 7 PM: Matchmaking (2022)

Comedy; In search of a wife, Moti Bernstein will meet the best girls in the Jewish Orthodox world but will fall for the one girl he can never have. The only one he wants. Against everything he knows and every value he holds dear, Moti will be forced to go out on a limb in the most unexpected and unusual of ways. Who will win? The system or the inner voice? (IsraeliFilms)

January 21, 1 PM: Farewell, Mr. Haffman (2021)

Drama; After the Nazi occupation of Paris, a talented jeweler, Joseph Haffmann, arranges for his family to flee the city and offers one of his employees the chance to take over his store until the conflict subsides. (IMDB)

January 21, 4 PM: My Father’s Secrets

Animation/Drama; My Father’s Secrets is an intimate, funny, and thought-provoking film that focuses on a family’s journey to reconciliation after facing the trauma of the Holocaust. Based on the autobiographical novel by Israeli author Michel Kichka. (IMDB)

All Long Beach Jewish Film Festival events are held at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus (3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach). Please buy tickets in advance by visiting https://alpertjcc.org/filmfestival/

Jewish Long Beach & Alpert JCC provide programming for all ages and stages of life. Known as “Your Center for Life,” The Alpert JCC provides a gathering space in which all are welcome to pursue early childhood education, after-school programs, fitness programs, aquatics activities, and summer camp, as well as to engage in Jewish life, culture, and education.

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