TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary marking three decades of films that have entertained, educated, and deeply moved the Tampa Bay community. The festival will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa.
The festival runs Feb. 12-22. Screenings will take place at venues throughout the region, including the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, Tampa Theatre, AMC Veterans, AMC Woodlands, Green Light Cinema, and the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, making the festival accessible to audiences across Tampa Bay.
For a complete schedule — including all films, times, locations, ticket prices and all-access passes — visit TBJFF.org.
Opening night will feature a red carpet cocktail hour with live music, photo opportunities on the red carpet, and a festive atmosphere filled with food, drinks, and raffles. The evening continues with the presentation of the Starr Award, honoring Lance Becatti of Ameriprise Financial, Becatti Wealth Advisors, in recognition of his support of the TBJFF. This will be followed by the highly anticipated opening night film, “Once Upon My Mother,” a moving French-Canadian drama about a mother’s unwavering devotion to her son, born with a disability, and the promise that shapes their extraordinary journey through life.
Adding to the excitement, movie producer and New York based film festival founder Isaac Zablocki will be on hand for an engaging conversation about Jewish film and the multi-billion-dollar industry moderated by Birdie Doyle of Film Tampa Bay.
The Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival will showcase 16 feature films and 14 short films, representing the breadth and depth of Jewish voices from around the world. Award-winning dramas, heartfelt documentaries, vibrant comedies, and powerful narratives from Israel, Europe, North America, and beyond promise an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Throughout the festival, audiences will experience a rich lineup of films that reflect Jewish history, humor, and humanity. Highlights include:
• “The Labor of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold,” celebrating the visionary founder of Hadassah and a pioneer of Jewish humanitarian leadership.
• “Matchmaking 2,” Israel’s biggest box office hit of the year, filled with romance, warmth, and humor.
• “The Last Twins,” a powerful Holocaust documentary honoring courage and resilience in humanity’s darkest hour.
• “The Road Between Us,” a gripping documentary depicting rescue efforts during the October 7 attacks.
• “Influenced,” a sharp, contemporary comedy exploring identity, authenticity, and modern culture.
The festival will also welcome special guest Jill Kargman, star of “Influenced,” who will appear in person at the Saturday, Feb. 21 screening at Green Light Cinema in St. Petersburg, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the film alongside one of its featured talents. Guests can look forward to additional filmmakers, actors, and guest speakers joining the lineup throughout the festival.
Adding to the immersive festival atmosphere, The Hummus Truck will be on site on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, offering food available for purchase. Audiences are invited to enjoy lunch or an early dinner while soaking in the ambiance ahead of the 6 p.m. screening of “Jaffa Stories,” a vibrant, humorous film celebrating the colorful street life and culture of Jaffa.
For festivalgoers attending the Friday, Feb. 13, matinee screenings at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, a boxed lunch catered by Jo-El’s will be available for purchase between films for $18, allowing guests to enjoy a seamless day of film and conversation.
The festival culminates on Sunday, Feb. 22, beginning at 11 a.m. with a champagne brunch and a special live concert performance by the Florida Wind Band, setting the stage for one of the festival’s most powerful cinematic moments.
Following the musical celebration, audiences will experience “The Pianist’s Choice,” a gripping wartime drama about a gifted French pianist forced to make an impossible moral decision — perform for Nazi officers or risk losing the woman he loves, his former mentor who taught him everything he knows. The film’s themes of art, conscience, sacrifice, and survival provide a poignant and fitting conclusion to the festival’s 30th anniversary celebration final screening day.
The community celebration continues on closing night, when the Audience Choice Film, “The Ring,” will be followed by a festive dessert and champagne toast reception, giving guests an opportunity to celebrate 30 years of storytelling together.
Since its founding in 1996, TBJFF has demonstrated the power of film to capture laughter, ambition, resilience, memory, and the soul of Jewish life — honoring the past while illuminating the present.
This milestone year reflects how storytelling through cinema continues to connect generations and cultures, from films remembering the Holocaust to contemporary stories responding to the events of October 7, and everything in between. Across 30 years, the festival has become a cultural cornerstone — where community gathers to experience stories that inspire conversation, empathy, and understanding.