Listen to the CPR Review of the 16th Denver Jewish Film Festival
16th Denver Jewish Film Festival Breaks Attendance Records!
Attendance records were once again smashed by the Denver Jewish Film Festival (DJFF), Feb. 23-March 4. This dynamic and thought provoking celebration of Jewish culture, history and identity attracted 6,485 participants over its 1o day run. The program included nine sold out screenings, seven special events (including receptions, parties, and post film discussions with filmmakers), and 22 films specifically selected for Denver area audiences.
The DJFF is very grateful for the continued support of title sponsor, Wagner Wealth Management as well as the SCFD, Udi’s Handcrafted Foods, Rose Youth Foundation, and the bevy of other sponsors for making the DJFF possible.
Due to the continued construction on our Elaine Wolf Theatre, the DJFF partnered with The Denver Film Society (DFS) who welcomed them into the DFS venue, the Denver Film Center/Colfax (DFCC). Despite the last minute displacement, the festival’s passionate patrons found their way to the new venue, where they discovered many amenities to enjoy.
Film goers at the DJFF selected Audience Choice Awards for Best Narrative and Best Documentary by rating films and turning in ballots each night. The winner of the Best Narrative Film was the Russian historical drama, I Shall Remember. Based upon the true story of two teenage boys whose lives become unexpectedly and sometimes uncomfortably entwined when the Nazis invade their small seaside village in 1942, this sensitive film was previously selected as Best Narrative Feature at the Fargo Film Festival.
Nicky’s Family was selected as the Best Documentary Film and introduces us to Sir Nicholas Winton, described by many as England’s Schindler. Winton was responsible for organizing the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II. He did not speak of these events to anyone until his wife discovered a suitcase full of details documents in their attic 50 years later. His actions have inspired not only those that he saved, but thousands of others to invest themselves in positive actions around the world. This moving documentary has been collecting awards nearly everywhere it has screened including Best Documentary at the Montreal World Film Festival, Audience Award Winner at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
MACC and the Denver Jewish Film Festival selection committee look forward to next year, when an entirely fresh selection of films will screen and DJFF’s faithful patrons will return to MACC’s home location, the brand new and absolutely stunning venue, The Elaine Wolf Theatre. Sharon Haber, chair of the festival, said “We are so proud of the fact that each year we are exposing a growingly diverse audience to the richness of contemporary Jewish film. This festival has become the signature event for the MACC and an important event on the community calendar.”
