Welcome from the Festival chair

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 hybrid Edmonton Jewish Film Festival. Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to all attending, either online or in person, or preferably both. You clearly know what’s good for you! I am also deeply grateful to each and every sponsor, advertiser and donor; it is you who make this annual celebration of Jewishoriented cinema possible. My sincerest thanks goes to the hard-working selection committee for the many hours given to movie-watching, reviewing and rating, and for the interesting deliberations that were the curating process. None of it would have mattered without the exceptional work of the Federation staff who make the festival run so professionally. Special thanks to Susan Schiffman, who pulls it all together so well. This year we present eight feature films, a broad mix of meaningful dramas along with a range of informative, entertaining documentaries, all boiled down from a field of 86 possible titles. Although a specific theme for the festival was not intended, several commonalities have emerged. Firstly, Europe is well represented, with two absorbing dramas from France and one from Austria. Secondly, several films are focused on women’s stories or have strong central female characters. And, thirdly, five of the eight features are Israeli stories, appropriate in the light of the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel this year.

A main theme for me personally is the return to the theatre of live, in-person programs. Online availability was vital during the years of enforced isolation, however, it cannot truly replace the communal aspect of gathering in a theatre to share an experience with an audience. I hope you will enjoy these films as much as I have, and that you will partake of the carefully selected short subjects as well. See you at the movies!