New Jersey Jewish Film Festival @ JCC MetroWest

The 25th Annual New Jersey Jewish Film Festival (NJJFF) returns March 20 to April 6! One of New Jersey’s premier Jewish cultural events, the NJJFF features two-plus weeks of first-run Israeli, American, and international films of Jewish interest followed by insightful speakers and discussions.  

JCC MetroWest NJ is one of Federation’s community partners, and we are proud to support this year’s NJJFF, which promotes Jewish culture, identity, and community by showcasing the work of Jewish artists. 

We invite you to explore the full schedule to learn more about each film and to purchase tickets. 

Federation is honored to spotlight these five festival films:    

Bad Shabbos
Thursday, March 20
7-9:30 p.m.
Post-screening Q&A with director/cowriter Daniel Robbins, cowriter Zack Weiner (in person), and stars Meghan Leathers and Theo Taplitz (on Zoom)
Director: Daniel Robbins
2024, 84 minutes
English with English subtitles
Feature
In this madcap only-in-New York comedy, an engaged interfaith couple are about to have their parents meet for the first time over Shabbat dinner when an accidental death gets in the way. Audience Award Winner at the 20024 Tribeca Film Festival. 
This film is powered by Federation. Look for our professionals at the screening! 

The Spoils
Monday, March 24
7-9:30 p.m.
Post-screening Q&A with Janet Cohen Mandel, arts educator and frequent speaker at JCC MetroWest
Director: Jamie Kastner
2024, 104 minutes
English and German with English subtitles
Documentary
Shot over four years, this ironic documentary profiles the Düsseldorf City Museum’s floundering attempts to honor German-Jewish art dealer Max Stern and explores the still-raging battle over the restitution of Nazi-looted art.
This film is powered by Federation’s Holocaust Education. Look for our professionals at the screening! 

Diane Warren: Relentless
Wednesday, March 26
1-3:15 p.m.
Post-screening Q&A with director Bess Kargman on Zoom
Director: Bess Kargman
2025, 91 minutes
English with English subtitles
Documentary
Diane Warren is one of the most prolific and successful songwriters of all time. Featuring interviews with Cher, Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson, and other stars, this documentary offers intimate access to Warren and tells her story from her upbringing as a Jewish, neurodivergent music lover to the pinnacle of the American music industry.
This film is powered by Federation’s ABLE, Next Chapter & Women’s Philanthropy.  Look for our professionals at the screening! 

 Colleyville
Wednesday, April 2
1-3 p.m.
Post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Dani Menkin and Colleyville hostage crisis survivor Jeff Cohen on Zoom
Director: Dani Menkin
2024, 80 minutes
English with English subtitles
Feature
This documentary by Dani Menkin (On the Map, Aulcie) uses never-before-seen surveillance footage and interviews with all those involved to examine the January 2022 Texas synagogue hostage siege, from which every captive emerged alive.
 This film is powered by Federation’s Synagogue Initiative. Look for our professionals at the screening! 

 Sabbath Queen
Thursday, April 3
7-9:30 pm
Spotlight: $18
Post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Sandi DuBowski
Director: Sandi Simcha DuBowski
2024, 105 minutes
English, Hebrew, and Yiddish with English subtitles
Documentary
21 years in the making, Sabbath Queen follows Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey from descendant of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis to radical drag queen to influential founder of an experimental, artist-driven New York synagogue. 
This film is powered by Federation’s Welcoming and Inclusion initiative. Look for our professionals at the screening!