Welcome to the
2020 Virtual
Twin Cities Jewish
Film Festival
Welcome to the 2020 Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival – a virtual festival featuring 8 outstanding film events, including feature length & short films, post-film conversations and more – all from the comfort of your home.
How Will The Virtual Fest Work?
Simply register for an ALL FESTIVAL PASS and you can enjoy one or all films from October 15 through November 1. Plus, check out links to engaging post-film conversations with filmmakers and aficionados on the TCJFF website.
The 2020 Virtual Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival is FREE to the community, thanks to the generosity of the Mary and Julius Pertzik Jewish Cultural Arts Fund.
The Tattooed Torah
October 15 – November 1
The Tattooed Torah is an animated short film, adapted from the beloved children’s book by Marvell Ginsburg that has been a powerful resource for Holocaust education for children.
NEW! TCJFF BONUS MATERIAL
Tattooed Torah: Behind the Scenes Featurette
Panelist/Featurette Bios:
Marc Bennett, Director/ Co-screenwriter | Lisa Effress, Producer | Beth Kopin, Executive Producer (her mother wrote the book) | Brett Kopin, Co-screenwriter | Martin Lemelman, Illustrator | Christian Robins, Animator | Daniel Alcheh, Composer | Ed Asner, Narrator | Melinda Goldrich, Executive Producer
Presented in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakota’s Holocaust Education program, Minneapolis Jewish Federation &
St. Paul Jewish Federation
Transkids
October 15 – November 1
Transkids is a documentary that offers an honest exploration of four young Israeli men and women who, despite paying a hefty social price, are no longer afraid of being themselves.
NEW! TCJFF BONUS MATERIAL
Transkids: Post-Film Discussion
Post-Film Discussion Panelist:
Miriam Graham (Moderator), J-Pride Coordinator, a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis | Ezra Kaner-Roth, a Jewish trans man in his sophomore year of high school, with a passion for LGBTQ+ politics
Presented in partnership with J-Pride; a program of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, The Israel Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation & St. Paul Jewish Federation
Lost In Berlin
October 15 – November 1
WALTER’S PICK! – Directed by local filmmaker Rod Martel
In this narrative documentary, a son races against time to understand his family’s complicated past before his mother’s fading memory threatens to close the door forever.
Watch the Trailer Visit Website
NEW! TCJFF BONUS MATERIAL
Lost In Berlin: Post-Film Discussion
Post-Film Discussion Panelist:
Walter Elias (Moderator), Founding member and former Director of the Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival | Rod Martel, Filmmaker and grandson of German born cinematographer/director Karl Freund
Presented in partnership with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation & St. Paul Jewish Federation
Film Shorts – The Human Condition
October 15 – November 1
An extraordinary evening featuring five short films from a touching journey to motherhood, to a musical documentary, to raw stories of social justice and faith.
Click Here For More Info on Included Shorts
NEW! TCJFF BONUS MATERIAL
A Promise to Our Fathers – Post Film Discussion
Panelist/Featurette Bios:
Josh Awend (moderator), Gene Greenberg, Stan Greenberg, and Larry Pollard
Film Shorts – Exceptional Encounters
October 15 – November 1
An excellent selection of six short films highlighting relationships, intimacy, family drama, and other exceptional encounters.
Co-Presented with the Twin Cities Film Fest
Stranger/Sister
October 22 – 31
Two women, one Muslim and one Jewish, dare to believe they can join hands to stop hate. They ask women across the U.S. to overcome a history of distrust and go from strangers to sisters, and unite against the rising tide of hate in America.
NEW! TCJFF BONUS MATERIAL
Stranger/Sister: Post-Film Discussion
Post-Film Discussion Panelist:
CLICK HERE to view a full list of the discussion panelist and bios
Presented in partnership with the Minneapolis Jewish Federation & St. Paul Jewish Federation and The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota & the Dakotas
The Dybbuk
October 28 – November 1
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ansky’s The Dybbuk with this newly restored film! In this mystical tale of star-crossed lovers, ill-fated vows, and supernatural possession, two friends tempt fate by betrothing their unborn children.
NEW! TCJFF BONUS MATERIAL
The Dybbuk Program & Production Notes
The Dybbuk: Post-Film Discussion
Post-Film Discussion Panelist:
Lisa Rivo (Moderator), Co-Director, The National Center For Jewish Film | Judith Brin Ingber, Dancer and Independent Scholar | Sharon Rivo, Co-Founder and Executive Director, National Center for Jewish Film, and Professor in the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department at Brandeis University.
Presented in partnership with the Center for Jewish Film, Minneapolis Yiddish Vinkl, Minneapolis Jewish Federation & St. Paul Jewish Federation
EXCLUSIVE LIVE FILM EVENT & CONVERSATION: Hosted by TC Jewfolk & JCreate
You Need To Be Ready To Let Go Of What The Eye Sees
November 1 • 11 AM – 12 PM
Join us as we view this short film, hear from distinguished panelists and discuss the idea of letting go of what the eye sees.
A Jewish woman, a Muslim woman, and a Russian Orthodox nun, all of whom represent the world of pious women who observe rules of extreme modesty.
Post-Film Discussion Panelist:
CLICK HERE to view a full list of the discussion panelist and bios
Presented in partnership with The Israel Museum, Center for Jewish Studies; University of Minnesota, The Israel Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation & St. Paul Jewish Federation
Thank you to all of our 2020 Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival community partners.
