The New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival is a service of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire.
2021 Virtual New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival
IT'S A WRAP
The 2021 New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival is now over. You can learn more about our 2021 film selections, committee, and sponsors below. See the Best Of the Fest winners here.THANK YOU for your interest and support!
Films:
Purchase Tickets
Advance tickets for ALL screenings suggested:
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Purchase tickets here and create an Eventive account
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By phone (603-627-7679) through the Jewish Federation office Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
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On Facebook, visit JFNH and NH Jewish Film Festival for the latest on the NH Jewish Film Festival.
How to View the Films
How to Access Discussions
Please find the link for each film and accompanying zoom event in your Eventive Account.
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to our volunteers, sponsors and donors for making this year's festival possible!
General Information
ALL ACCESS FESTIVAL PASS
$110/household, includes all 11 films, post-film discussions, and the free short film program. Save money and treat yourself and your household to all 11 of this season’s terrific films. Once you’ve purchased your pass, you still must RSVP for each of the films on its page in order to receive confirmation emails and reminder emails on the day each film becomes available to view.
A great gift idea!
FOUR-PACK FILM PASS
$43/household, includes four films of your choice and the free short film program. This 10% discount is a great deal if you plan to view four of our excellent offerings! Once you’ve purchased your pass, you still must RSVP for each of the films on its page in order to receive confirmation emails and reminder emails on the day each film becomes available to view. A great gift idea!
INDIVIDUAL FILM TICKETS
$12/household. The short film program is free to all ticket holders.
**Note: Films can only be viewed in the Continental US.
PRINTABLE GUIDE
Download our printable Film Guide (PDF) here
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
See the entire Film Festival schedule here!
PHOTOGRAPHY & RECORDING
By your presence, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded at our Post-Film Zoom discussions. Your participation constitutes your consent to such photography and recording and to any use, in all media, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Join us for Opening Night
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Caroline Link
Drama, 2020, Germany, Switzerland
119 minutes
German with subtitles
Narrative
In this gentle, beautifully rendered historical family drama, a German-Jewish girl takes her first steps into adulthood, as world events intrude on her happy, carefree existence. Nine-year-old Anna is too busy with schoolwork and friends to notice Hitler’s face glaring from posters plastered all over 1933 Berlin. But when her father suddenly vanishes, and the family is secretly hurried out of Germany, Anna begins to understand life will never be the same. What follows is a courageous adventure full of fear and uncertainty, as Anna and her family navigate unfamiliar lands, and cope with the challenges of being refugees. Oscar-winning filmmaker Caroline Link directs this adaptation of Judith Kerr’s semi-autobiographical bestselling children’s novel.
Selection: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival, Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, Miami Jewish Film Festival, New York Jewish Film Festival
Opening Night Surprise will be announced on our website in April.
After this film becomes available May 19 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
Double Income, Kids
Friday, May 21, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Hendrik Schäfer
Documentary, 2019, Germany, Israel, USA
94 minutes
Hebrew, English, Spanish with subtitles
The film closely follows an Israeli gay couple on their path to parenthood over the course of one year. Both men want to become the fathers of twins with the help of an American surrogate mother. A close look at Israeli society and the mainstream gay baby boom.
Post-film discussion with director Hendrik Schäfer:
Sunday, May 23, 3 PM
Each ticket to Double Income, Kids automatically includes a free invitation to the Zoom post-film discussion.
Selection: Hofer Filmtage 2019, Queen Palm International Film Festival 2020, UK Jewish Film Festival 2020, Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival 2020
After this film becomes available May 21 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
The Crossing
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Johanne Helgeland
Drama, Family, 2020, Norway
90 minutes
Norwegian with subtitles
Narrative
The Crossing tells the story of the adventurous 10-year-old Gerda and her brother Otto, whose parents are in the Norwegian resistance movement during the Second World War. One day, just before Christmas in 1942, Gerda and Otto’s parents are arrested, leaving the siblings on their own. Following the arrest, they discover two Jewish children, Sarah and Daniel, hidden in a secret cupboard in their basement at home. It is now up to Gerda and Otto to finish what their parents started: to help Sarah and Daniel flee from the Nazis across the border to neutral Sweden and reunite them with their parents. The Crossing is a film about the confidence, uncompromising loyalty, and great courage you can find in even the youngest of children.
Selection: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2021, Boston Jewish Film Festival 2021
After this film becomes available May 23 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
God of the Piano
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Itay Tal
Drama, 2019, Israel
80 minutes
Hebrew with subtitles
Narrative
Adult Content
Anat (Naama Preis, winner of the Jerusalem Film Festival award for Best Actress) has never been able to reach her father’s exacting musical standards, and now her family’s hope of producing a musical prodigy rests on her unborn son. When the baby is born deaf, she cannot accept it and resorts to extreme measures to ensure that her child will be the composer that her father always wanted. But when the boy grows up indifferent to his destiny as a great pianist, Anat will have to stand up to her father and her own actions.
Selection: International Film Festival Rotterdam 2019, BAFICI, B3 Biennale
Best Film, Jerusalem Film Festival, Best Actress, Moscow Film Festival, Transatlantyk Film Festival, Miami Jewish Film Festival
After this film becomes available May 25 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
Golda
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Directors: Sagi Bornstein, Udi Nir, Shani Rozanes
Documentary, 2019, Israel, Germany
85 minutes
Hebrew with subtitles, English
Shortly before her passing, Golda Meir was interviewed for Israeli television. After shooting ended, the cameras kept rolling, recording an intimate talk with the first and only woman to ever rule Israel. As she lit one cigarette after the other, Golda spoke freely, pleading her case for her term as Prime Minister—five turbulent years that secured her place in history, albeit at a high personal cost.
Post-film discussion with director Udi Nir : Sunday, May 30, 3 PM
Each ticket automatically includes a free invitation to the Zoom post-film discussion.
Selection: UK Jewish Film Festival 2019, Denver Jewish Film Festival 2020, Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival 2020, Israel Film Festival Los Angeles 2020
Winner: Best Documentary Film, Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival 2020
Here We Are
Friday, May 28, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Nir Bergman
Drama, 2020, Israel
92 minutes
Hebrew with subtitles
Narrative
Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live together in a gentle routine, away from the real world. But Uri is autistic, and now as a young adult it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready?
Winner: Israeli Ophir Awards for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay
Selection: New York Jewish Film Festival 2021, San Diego Jewish Film Festival 2021, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2021, Jewish International Film Festival Australia 2021
After this film becomes available May 28 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
Queen of Hearts: Audrey Flack
Sunday, May 30, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Directors: Deborah Shaffer, Rachel Reichman
Documentary, Biography, 2019, USA
75 minutes
English
At 88 years old, Audrey Flack holds a unique place in the history of contemporary art in America. Feminist, rebel, mother, painter, sculptor, and teacher, Audrey’s often controversial 40-year career evolved from abstract expressionism in the 1950s to photorealism in the 1970s. Queen of Hearts follows Flack as she takes her work in a new direction and reveals her long-term struggles as the mother of a child with autism.
Post-film discussion with director Deborah Shaffer and artist Audrey Flack: Tuesday, June 1, 7 PM.
Each ticket to Queen of Hearts: Audrey Flack automatically includes a free invitation to the Zoom post-film discussion.
Selection: Sonoma International Film Festival 2020, DOC NYC 2019, Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival 2020, Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival 2020
Winner: Visionary Women Award, Indie Grits 2020
After this film becomes available May 30 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
Thou Shalt Not Hate
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Mauro Mancini
Drama, 2020, Italy, Poland
96 minutes
Italian with subtitles
Narrative
Adult Content
A leisurely paddle on the Timavo River becomes a life-changing moment for Simone Segre, a highly successful surgeon and son of a Holocaust survivor in Trieste, Italy. Hearing the sound of a car crash, he makes his way to the scene, only to discover that the gravely injured driver to whom he is administering aid has a swastika tattoo on his chest. In the moment he has to decide, Simone chooses to walk away. Thou Shalt Not Hate chronicles the consequence of that decision for a man who has made saving lives his life’s work.
Winner: Best Actor, Best Italian Film, 2020 Venice Film Festival
After this film becomes available June 2 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
A Lullaby for the Valley
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Ben Shani
Documentary, 2020, Israel
75 minutes
Hebrew with subtitles
Artist Eli Shamir paints the view from his studio balcony — fields stretching to the horizon, ancient oak trees, and a generation of farmers that is disappearing from the vistas of the Jezreel Valley. His large oils are treasured by collectors worldwide. It was director Ben Shani’s encounter with one of Shamir’s works that spawned the idea of documenting the artist at work. Neither of them had any idea that everything would change as the filming progressed, as an unforeseen danger threatened to rob Shamir of his talent. Filmed over the course of ten years, A Lullaby for the Valley focuses on the fascinating figure of Eli Shamir and his paintings. As time passes, like the endless fields of the valley, they are transformed before our very eyes.
Post-film discussion with director Ben Shani: Sunday, June 6, 3 PM
Each ticket to A Lullaby for the Valley automatically includes a free invitation to the Zoom post-film discussion.
Selection: Docaviv Israel 2020
After this film becomes available June 3 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
The Passengers
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Ryan Porush
Documentary, 2019, USA, Ethiopia
72 minutes
English, Hebrew, Amharic
The Passengers tells the story of two men caught between two—the land of their birth and the land of their faith. They are Ethiopian Jews, members of a community of 9,000 who speak Hebrew, keep kosher, and have Israeli relatives, yet Israel continues to deny their appeals for aliyah, the birthright of Jews around the world to immigrate to the Jewish homeland. These two young men, Demoz and Gezi, embark on a daring journey in their desperate search for a path to their true home—the one they have never seen.
Post-film discussion with director and filmmaker Ryan Porush: Tuesday, June 8, 7 PM.
Each ticket to The Passengers automatically includes a free invitation to the Zoom post-film discussion.
Selection: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2020, Cleveland Jewish Film Festival 2019, Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival 2019, Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival 2019, Seattle Jewish Film Festival 2020
After this film becomes available June 6 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
A Starry Sky Above the Roman Ghetto
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Noon
Admission: $12/household
Director: Giulio Base
Drama, 2020, Italy
100 minutes
Italian with subtitles
Narrative
Past and present meet upon the discovery of an old, mysterious photograph that will end up tying together Christian and Jewish students in search of the truth. Trying to unravel the mystery behind the portrait, the boys embark on a journey through a night of horror that cannot be forgotten: the raid of the Roman Ghetto. Retracing these painful events will give them the chance to take a collective stance toward personal, existential, and cultural commitment.
Selection: Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival 2021, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2021, Jewish International Film Festival Australia 2021, Sacramento Jewish Film Festival 2021
After this film becomes available June 9 at 12 noon ET, you will have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the film.
These short films
are available from May 19 - June 10.
Admission: Free
After these films become available May 19 at 12 noon ET, you will have until June 10 to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the Short Film Program.
Cheeseburger
Director: Hillary Nussbaum
Short, 2018, USA
5 minutes
English
Three Jewish roommates debate their different views on religion as one contemplates a very big, very not-kosher decision: eating a cheeseburger.
Food Flirts: Pastrami Meets Ramen
Director: Bruce Seidel
Documentary Short, 2017, USA
25 minutes
English
Meet the Brass Sisters, a.k.a. the Food Flirts, two passionate food explorers of a certain age on a mission to tackle their culinary bucket list. After dreaming about childhood days spent eating pastrami, the Brass sisters decide to finally learn how artisan pastrami is crafted at Mamaleh’s, a modern Jewish delicatessen. Meanwhile, producer Bruce sets the ladies up with their very own ramen noodle and broth-making lesson. After savoring this delicious treat for the first time, the sisters decide to mash the two together and to teach us about another Jewish comfort food (noodle kugel)—and the pastrami ramen noodle kugel is born!
How to Swim
Director: Noa Gusakov
Black Comedy, 2018, Israel
15 minutes
Hebrew with English subtitles
Abigail is heavily pregnant, but something is missing. Terrified about the imminent birth of her child, she kidnaps a comforting partner in crime for one afternoon.
Opening film, Tel Aviv Student Film Festival 2018
Selection: Palm Springs ShortFest 2018, Encounters Film Festival 2018, Hamptons International Film Festival 2018
Egg Cream
Directors: Nora Claire Miller, Peter Miller
Documentary Short, 2018, USA
16 minutes
English
This short film focuses on the enduring meaning of a beloved chocolate soda drink born on the Jewish Lower East Side. The egg cream contains neither eggs nor cream—it was a product of necessity and hardship, but a source of joy and sweetness. Through a tour of egg cream establishments led by a filmmaker and his young daughter, exhaustively researched archival imagery, and even a song by Lou Reed, the film examines the Jewish experience in America and the mythology of a simpler time.
Sushi, Meatballs and Everything
Director: Liel Gur
Short, 2018, Israel
10 minutes
Hebrew with English subtitles
The road to meatballs is paved with good intentions. A young woman decides to stand up to her loving parents-in-law, once and for all.
Second prize, LongShort Film Festival Tel Aviv 2018
Selection: Pittsburgh Jewish Film Festival 2018, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2019, Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival 2019, Denver Jewish Film Festival 2020
These short films are available from May 19 - June 10.
Admission: Free
After these films become available May 19 at 12 noon ET, you will have until June 10 to start watching. Once you begin, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the Short Film Program.
Closing Event: A Water Cooler Discussion
at the Red River Theatre Virtual Lobby
Thursday, June 10, 2021, 7 PM
Admission: Free
Join us in the Red River Theatre Virtual Lobby via Zoom for an open discussion of all the films in this year’s NH Jewish Film Festival. Free goody bag with homemade baked goods will be available for pick up in your neighborhood.
All ticket holders may register for this Free Closing Event. A great opportunity to discuss the movies with our community.
Jewish Federation Committee
Ross Fishbein
Patricia Kalik
Film Festival Chairs
Linda Gerson
Film Festival Chair and
Artistic Director Emerita
Sarit Itenberg
Chair of the Board
Elyse Hyman
Executive Director
Graphic Design
Grinley Creative
Printing
NH Print & Mail Services
Film Festival Steering Committee
Pamela Englander
Harvey Epstein
Barrie Paster
Film Festival Special Events
Pamela Englander
Ann Fabian
Jo Ann Meyers
Barbara Scotch
Copy
Fran Berman
Video
Russell Wolff Video
Website
Glikstorm LLC
Film Festival Committee
Mark Biletch
Maryellen Biletch
Shana Biletch
Laura Black
Roberta Brayer
Kathy Brodsky
Zachary Camenker
Marilyn Cavanaugh
Dina Michael Chaitowitz
Pamela Cohen
Deborah De Passe
Martin Fabian
Darren Garnick
Donna Goldfarb
Barbara Greene
Gail Herman
Richard Kudler
Rachel Kurshan
Andy Kushner
Barbara Ann Paster
Judy Posner
Barry Rotman
Reva Rovner
Alane Sabel
Avia Sagron
Brenda Schadick
Liliane Sznycer
Abner Taub
Russell Wolff
Beth Zinderman
THANK YOU
to our 2021 Festival Sponsors
Supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State
Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
PRODUCERS
FILM STARS
MEDIA PARTNER
DIRECTORS
Anonymous
Maryellen and Mark Biletch
Debra and Robert Feins
Jennifer and Ross Fishbein
Eileen Freedman
Pam Grich and Louis Fink
Nancy and Richard Kudler
Rachel Kurshan
Julia and Ido Preis
Barbara and Barry Scotch
SCREEENWRITERS
Elaine and Paul Bieber
Roberta Brayer
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc.
Elm Grove Companies
Ann and Martin Fabian
Fairhurst & Cohen Tax Services, P.L.L.C.
Dorothy and David Goldstone
Helen Hanan and Melvin Prostkoff
Arlene and Newton Kershaw
Andy and Norm Kushner
New Hampshire Print & Mail
Sue and Jay Niederman
North End Properties
NorthEast Computer Services LLC
Marc Rubenson
The Spa Within
Lilianne Sznycer and Abner Taub
Temple Adath Yeshurun
Honey Weiss and Dr. David Lewis
Zvi & Debby Cohen Jewish Film Festival Fund
FRIENDS OF THE FILM FESTIVAL
Mark Abramson
Barbara Adler
Jerilyn Anderson
Anonymous
Barbara Bailey
Adrienne Baum and Keith Spiro
Bennett Berson
Fern Blood
Shelley Blye
Joseph Bravo
Kathy Brodsky
Terry Buckner
Christine Bullen
Rowena and Sanders Burstein
Marilyn Cavanaugh
Dina Michael Chaitowitz
Barbara Cohen
Ellen Cohn
Linda Cohn-Rosenberg and Richard Rosenberg
Howard Brett Cutler
Rachel Dennis
Patricia and Andrew Diengott
Judith Dunn
Jeff Eichel
Alan Elliot
Pamela and Luis Englander
Marsha and Robert Feder
Albert Fine
Judith Finn
Janice and Bill Fischel
Barbara Fishman
Ellen and Stanley Forman
Mandy and Barry Frank
Barbara and Ivor Freeman
Suzanne and Kenneth Gelinas
Ann Glater
Ellen and Samuel Gold
Priscilla Gould
Rebecca and Alan Green
Barbara Green
Sara Grunstein
Sheryl and Denis Hammond
Esther Haskvitz
Sheldon Hayer
Ellen and William Herlicka
Gail Herman
Melissa Herman and Michael Herron
Ann Holbrook
Joan Jacobs and Lawrence Drake
Hollie Jaffe
Nancy and Andrew Jaffe
Judith Jolton
Ricki Kantrowitz
Carol Kaplan
Emilie and Alan Kaplan
Michael Kaplan
Edwin Kay
Stephanie Kendall
Amy Kischner and Peter Thompson
Jeanette Kruger
Adine Latimore
Susan Lawless
Marjorie Leventon
Heidi and Donald Levi
Jennifer Lewis
Nadine Lipman
Roz Lowen
Karen and Joe Lukeman
Kate McMurray
Scott Meyer
JoAnn Meyers
Judith Mitchell
Martha Mobley
Bruce Pacht
Luisa Paster
Beatrice Paul
Karen Polansky
Judith Posner
Jill Post
Melissa and Lee Ann Potter
David Raider
Judith Reeve
Sheryl Rich-Kern
Virginia and Ellis Rolett
Roseann Ronan
David Rosenthal
Emma and Walter Rous
Reva Rovner
Robin and Lawrence Rubin
Beth and David Salzman
Andrea Savada
Brenda Schadick
Nancie and Mark Severs
Jack Shapiro
Jane Sharfstein
Helen Skeist
Renee Snow
Carol and Gary Sobelson
Bonnie Sontag
Stephen Marx Hair Salon
Adele and Norman Strominger
Bernice Taube
Temple Beth Jacob
Nicole Therrien-Boll
Susan and Stephen Tober
Tina and Tom Tolin-Scheper
Cheryl Weinstein
Phyllis Whitney
Kenneth Wilner
Laura X.
Ted Yegerman
Rosa Zwaiman