The Jewish Film Festival 2019 returns to Australian cinemas with a new line up of intriguing movies. The festival opens in Sydney on evening of 23 October, in Melbourne on 24 October, in Canberra on 7 November, in Perth from 6 November and in Brisbane from 7 November 2018.
The festival will kick off with Ask Dr Ruth, an uplifting story of America’s most famous sex therapist by Primetime Emmy-nominated director Ryan White. The film is an inspiring account of how Dr Ruth revolutionized the conversation around sexuality and her uninhibited approach to sex therapy.
Audiences can also catch international award-winners including Berlinale Golden Bear winner Synonyms, an existential drama about a young man embarking on a quest to erase his Israeli heritage by moving to Paris; and satirical rom-com Tel Aviv On Fire, which won the award for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. The film is currently nominated for four Ophir awards, which are kind of like the Israeli Oscars.
The festival will close with the first Australian screenings of Jojo Rabbit, fresh from winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is directed by and stars Taika Waititi (whose mother is Jewish, while his father is Maori) and makes a powerful statement against hate.
In Victoria, the Jewish International Film Festival will screen at Classic Cinema (Elsternwick), Lido Cinema (Hawthorn) and Cameo Cinema (Belgrave) from October 24 to November 21. Check out the full program here.
Stay tuned for further announcements on the full program and international guests attending the Festival. Tickets go on sale Monday 23 September.
2019 Jewish International Film Festival screening dates:
| SYDNEY | 23 October – 21 November | Ritz Cinema, Randwick |
| 2 November – 20 November | Roseville Cinemas, Roseville | |
| MELBOURNE | 24 October – 20 November | Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick |
| 25 October – 20 November | Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn | |
| 7 November – 20 November | Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave | |
| BRISBANE | 7 November – 17 November | New Farm Cinemas, New Farm |
| CANBERRA | 7 November – 17 November | Dendy Cinemas, Canberra |
| PERTH | 6 November – 17 November | Greater Union Cinemas, Morley |
JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
JIFF is the home of the most comprehensive range of Israeli and Jewish-themed films in Australia and New Zealand. The films premiere in our annual three-week film festival in November. JIFF is building on the long and proud 29-year history of Jewish film festivals in Australia.
You can access the archived film program here.
JIFF Distribution (formerly Champion Pictures P/L) is dedicated to the distribution of a select number of these films across all media: theatrical, educational, TV, DVD and VOD.
Synopses of films for the 2019 Festival are available here
Passes are available.
