Windsor Jewish Film Festival returns next week for in-person festival


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Movie theater popcorn is beckoning, and you’re invited: The Windsor Jewish Film Festival is back in theaters with 10 films ready to be shown across four days beginning next week.

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The 19th annual Ruth and Bernard Friedman Windsor Jewish Film Festival, organized by the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre, is back in-person for 2022 starting Monday, April 25.

“There’s a love for film, a love for Jewish film and we find that there’s really good stories,” said Richie Kamen, director of development for the Windsor Jewish Federation.

“We love people learning the messages that are told in these stories.”

Last year the Windsor Jewish Federation hosted a joint virtual film festival with the Hamilton Jewish Federation, which was “a huge success,” Kamen said, and allowed people to view the movies from the comfort of home during the pandemic. But this year they’re excited to welcome people back to the big screen.

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“We know that people’s true interest lies not only in the films, but also just the social aspects and reuniting with the community after a couple of crazy years,” Kamen said.

Started 19 years ago in partnership with the Detroit Jewish community, the Windsor film festival has grown and now welcomes as many as 2,000 people over the four-day, 10-film festival.

“We always like to really make sure people know you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy the Windsor Jewish Film Festival,” Kamen said. “We have films coming from seven different countries, from around the world and they address a variety of cultures and a variety of people. Although they have Jewish themes, many communities will have a personal connection to our festival.”

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Each year films are selected by a volunteer committee that reviews 50 or more films before selecting the 10 best to show on the big screen. Kamen said they look for films across a variety of genres and then select films with strong cultural, historical or educational messages.

This year’s 10 films include a couple for which Kamen and the selection committee are particularly excited, he said: Tiger Within, the last film starring renowned actor Ed Asner before his death in 2021, as well as Here We Are, which closes the festival on April 28.

“We just want to send out an invitation to everyone in our community to join us. We truly missed having everyone in theaters and we just can’t wait to have everyone back,” Kamen said.

The 19th annual Ruth and Bernard Friedman Windsor Jewish Film Festival runs April 25 to 28. Tickets are $12 available 30 minutes before each showtime at Cineplex Devonshire Cinemas, cash only. Find the complete schedule, trailers, film synopses and more online at jewishwindsor.org.

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