29th Annual Denver Jewish Film Festival
On behalf of all of us at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center (MACC), Jewish Community Center of Denver (JCC), and this year’s Film Selection Committee, we would like to welcome you to the 29th Annual Denver Jewish Film Festival. This year, although there will be opportunities for some virtual screenings, we are emphasizing community connection through in-person showings. We aim to bring to you the very best in Israeli and Jewish cinema from around the world with this year’s exciting lineup.
Schedule:
10:00 AM - 10:38 AM: Taking Care
Sponsored by: Ascent Living Communities, Hilltop Reserve, & Rosemark at Mayfair Park
Directed by: James Keach
Produced by: Seth Rogen & Lauren Miller Rogen
Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker James Keach, Taking Care is a 38-minute documentary following the journey of acclaimed filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen as they navigate the complexities and heartbreak of Lauren’s mother’s advancing Alzheimer’s disease. Through humor, heart, and an unwavering commitment to change, Taking Care imparts a message of hope, resilience, and the profound impact individuals can have when they seek solutions to society’s greatest challenges.
After the documentary, please stay for a lively panel discussion with Alzheimer's experts and enjoy a light brunch reception.
38 minutes
Documentary, English USA 2024
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM: Moses Ezekiel
Director: Steven Pressman
Moses Ezekiel (1844-1917) was a world-famous American sculptor, who had been born and raised in a large Jewish family in Richmond, Virginia. Before becoming an artist, he was the first Jewish cadet to be enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute and was among a class of cadets who fought for the Confederacy in the 1864 Battle of New Market during the U.S. Civil War. This documentary film tells Ezekiel's story, while also focusing on the modern-day debate over the presence of Confederate statues and monuments in the United States, including those made by Ezekiel.
50 minutes
Documentary, English USA 2024
1:30 PM - 3:39 PM: Arugam Bay + feature short: Lion of Zion
Lion of Zion
Director: Mike Musikanto
Yuri Foreman, the only world champion boxer from Israel, believes that balancing faith and fortitude can lead to greatness. After losing his title in 2010, he studied Judaism to understand the connection between his boxing pursuits and his spiritual quests. In 2014, he was ordained as a Rabbi. Despite being past his prime, Yuri is not done with the ring and strives to make history by becoming the first Rabbi Boxing Champion of the World.
30 Minutes
Documentary, English USA 2024
Arugam Bay
Director: Marco Carmel
In this touching and inspiring film, three Israeli surfers set out on a soul-searching journey to the magical southeast coast of Sri Lanka after completing their military service, seeking solace and closure after the tragic loss of a friend during a mission in Beirut. As they navigate their way through the tropical paradise of Arugam Bay, they encounter locals embracing a serene, unhurried life, and even forge connections with Iranian surfers. This transformative adventure puts the unbreakable bonds of their friendship to the test, as long-suppressed emotions and buried traumas resurface. With an outstanding ensemble cast featuring Joy Rieger ("June Zero", "Image of Victory"), Yadin Gelman ("Victory"), and Maor Schwitzer ("Shtisel") in starring roles, Arugam Bay is a heart-healing odyssey that promises to captivate audiences.
97 Minutes
Drama, Hebrew, English, Sinhala, Sri Lanka, Israel 2023
4:15 PM - 5:55 PM: Torah Tropical
Director: Ezra Axelrod
Colombian documentary Torah Tropical follows the peculiar phenomenon of Latin American Evangelical Christians converting to Orthodox Judaism, and reveals Zionism's troubling relationship with race and the idea of a Promised Land.
100 minutes
Documentary, Spanish, Columbia 2024
5:45 PM: Food Options for purchase following film
7:15 PM - 8:32 PM: Centered: Joe Lieberman
Sponsored by Vicki Trachten Schwartz & Andrea Hyatt
Director: Jonathan Gruber
Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish person to be a Vice Presidential candidate on a major party ticket in the US, is celebrated for putting principles above party. This timely feature doc chronicles Lieberman’s extraordinary journey, his 40+ years of public service and the depth of his commitment to the American people. His message of moderation and bipartisanship resonates even more powerfully now underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in politics.
100 minutes
Documentary, English USA 2024
8:30 PM: Closing Ceremony
Tickets:
10 Pack Pass: $140
All Access Pass: $250 (Includes All VIP Experiences)
Individual Tickets: $18
Student/Senior Tickets: $15
Additional Dates:
