2025 EVENT LIST
Shorts
FREE program!
2024, 2025
90'
Mixed
A diverse mix of new short films. Specific titles to be announced.
Why we like this film: Short programs are always great – they feature an ecclectic mix of films. If one isn’t to your taste, just wait a few minutes for the next one! Shorts are also how every filmmaker starts off, so come see the early work of tomorrow’s creators of feature length movies.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 8
Shorts
FREE program!
Director(s): Jonathan Handelsman, Noga Mer, Lysa-Rose Zaoui, Yoav Amirm Vika Rehelis, Noa Elisha, Nava Yaari
2024, 2025
109'
Israel
A diverse collection of new short films from the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir College in Israel. Titles include: Anna-Maxim (drama), Abir (drama), Les visites de la fée des dentes (animation), Ma'avrak (animation), 30 and Trying (comedy), Daybreak (sci-fi).
Why we like this film: This program is part of a new AJFF collaboration with Sapir College. Student filmmaker Noa Elisha and Sapir's head of distribution, Hen Gimelfarb, will be coming to Austin to present this program and answer your questions. Short programs are always great - they feature an ecclectic mix of films. If one isn't to your taste, just wait a few minutes for the next one! Shorts are also how every filmmaker starts off, so come see the early work of tomorrow's creators of feature length movies.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 1
Southwest premiere
Drama
Director(s): Shai Carmeli-Pollak
2025
93'
Israel
Khaled, a 12-year-old boy from a Palestinian village, gets the chance to see the sea for the first time in his life on a school trip. But when they reach a military checkpoint, the soldiers claim his permit is invalid and send him back home, while his classmates continue their trip. Deeply disappointed, Khaled sets out to the sea on his own, even though he doesn’t know the way and doesn’t speak Hebrew. When his father, Ribhi, an undocumented laborer working in Israel, learns that his son is missing, he leaves his job in search for him—risking arrest and the loss of his livelihood.
Why we like this film: Winner of 5 Israeli Acadmy Awards and Israel's submission to the upcoming 2026 Oscars, this is an excellent drama. But it angered the Israeli culture minister who vowed to pull all government funding from future Israeli Academy Awards. Come see the film and consider for yourself if this ought to be considered a controversial film or not.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 8
Southwest premiere
Documentary
CLOSING NIGHT
Director(s): Barry Avrich
2025
95'
Canada
Grandfather and retired Israeli general Noam Tibon rescues his family from Hamas terrorists invading their home during the October 7, 2023 massacre - a coordinated assault on Israel sparking an ongoing conflict.
Why we like this film: Maybe you caught the controversy about this film that was invited to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), then uninvited (supposedly because they didn't have Hamas's permission to use the livestreamed content from their attack), then reinvited, protested at, and ultimately winning the TIFF audience choice award. The film simultaneously tells the story of October 7th and the extraordinary resuce by retired Major General Noa Tibon of his family. Filmmaker Barry Avrich will be at the festival to present the film and answers your questions. The film will be preceded by a reception with food, drink, and live music. Don't miss this.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 9
Southwest premiere
Documentary
Director(s): Katharina Otto-Bernstein
2025
106'
Germany, United States
Peter Sichel, who was known to his friends as the “Jewish James Bond”, was one of the earliest recruits to the CIA, becoming the agency’s first station chief in postwar Berlin. This riveting documentary tells Sichel’s extraordinary life story, which intersected directly with many key historical events from World War II to the Cold War.
Aged 100 years old at the time of the interviews in the film but still sharp as a tack, Sichel recounts his years as a CIA spymaster in Berlin, Washington and Hong Kong with a frank directness and a gleefully wicked sense of humour. As a German-Jewish man who fled Europe with his family before World War II broke out and worked as a covert operative during the early days of the Cold War, Sichel’s wisdom and insight into today’s global conflicts carry significant weight.
Why we like this film: James Bond is a fictional character, but Peter Sichel, the "Jewish James Bond" was a very real person with an absolutely extraordinary life. A centenarian at the time of filming, Sichel recounts tales of intrigue and espionage during most of the latter part of the 20th Century. It's riveting!
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 2
Texas premiere
Comedy
Director(s): Rachel Israel
2025
102'
USA
Freshly ousted from her rock band, Nomi takes a last-resort job from her best friend Mara at their childhood Jewish summer camp. As camp director Mara contends with a busted septic system, she tasks Nomi to supervise a group of outsider teens called the floaters. When their rival camp – led by Mara and Nomi''s nemesis Daniel – issues a high stakes challenge with prize money on the line, Nomi pushes the limits and loses Mara’s trust. Now, Nomi and the Floaters must overcome their differences and outperform their rivals to keep the camp alive. Framed through multigenerational perspectives, this offbeat comedy captures the rich diversity of a Jewish summer camp and explores the conflict between leaving one’s mark and building connection.
Why we like this film: Anyone who has ever been (or sent someone else!) to a Jewish summer camp will connect with this new, independent comedy about a Jewish Summer camp and its quirky leaders and campers. Producer and co-originator of the story, Shai Korman will be at the festival to present the film and answer your questions.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 2
Austin premiere
Documentary
Director(s): Ravit Markus
2025
72'
Israel
Wheelchair badminton champion, Nina Gorodetsky, has her first and maybe last chance to make it to the Paralympics. However, she is negotiating a ticking biological clock both as an athlete and as a woman. Amidst debating what would she be willing to sacrifice to realize her Olympic dream, everything changes: the stopwatches of all the world’s athletes come to a screeching halt due to a worldwide pandemic. NINA IS AN ATHLETE tracks her unpredictable three-year journey to defy the odds and fulfill her athletic aspirations while staying true to her maternal desires.
Why we like this film: This film is about so many things—the challenges of balancing work and family life, disability, sport, a non-political look at the life of someone representing Israel on the world stage. Filmmaker Ravit Markus will be coming to Austin to present her film and answer your questions.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 2
Austin premiere
Drama
Director(s): Klaus Härö
2025
85'
Finland
NEVER ALONE tells the gripping story of Jewish refugees seeking safety in Finland during WWII. As Nazi influence grows, the Finnish-Jewish businessman Abraham Stiller (Ville Virtanen, Netflix''s Bordertown) risks everything to protect the refugee community. This powerful film showcases courage, resilience, and the fight for hope amidst overwhelming adversity.
From the celebrated director Klaus Härö, known for Oscar-shortlisted ''The Fencer“ and Golden Globe-nominated ''My Sailor, My Love,“ comes a powerful true story of resilience and defiance. Based on actual events during World War II, NEVER ALONE shines a light on the plight of Jewish refugees seeking sanctuary in Finland and the unwavering hero who risked everything to protect them.
Why we like this film: A well told drama of what happended to a Jewish community from an unusual place during WWII—Finland.
Evans Performance Center at Shalom Austin
Nov 9
Austin Premiere
Documentary
Director(s): Jonathan Gruber
2024
77'
USA
Joe Lieberman, who nearly became the first Jewish Vice President of the United States, was known for putting principles above party. Centered chronicles Lieberman’s extraordinary journey and 40+ years of public service, revealing the depth of his commitment to the American people. This timely film serves as a reminder of the values of unity and bipartisanship. Lieberman’s legacy as a principled statesman who placed country above party echoes throughout the film, which provides a timely call for civility, moderation, and dialogue. Following Lieberman’s untimely passing in March 2024, his message of moderation and bipartisanship resonates even more powerfully, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in today’s political landscape.
Why we like this film: The era of bipartisan politics as exemplified by Lieberman's public service seems today as if it was from another era, yet it wasn't that long ago. The movie chronicles Joe's run for vice-president along with the rest of his long and distinguished political career. We are honored to have Lieberman's Senate Chief of Staff, Clarine Nardi Riddle, travelling to the festival to help present the movie and answer questions.