A milestone year celebrating 25 years of Jewish film, culture, and community in Nashville
The Nashville Jewish Film Festival (NJFF), a program by the Gordon Jewish Community Center, celebrated its 25th anniversary this fall with a record-breaking season that brought together more than 2,000 attendees for two weeks of films, events, and community gatherings across the city.
Running from October 16 to November 6, the festival featured 13 diverse films from around the world and three special celebrations, including an opening night reception at the Moxy Hotel, a Beatles-themed social at the Gordon JCC, and a closing-night ice cream party following the final screening at the Belcourt Theatre.
This year’s lineup included thought-provoking documentaries such as Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire and Everything’s Kosher, alongside international features like The Blond Boy from the Casbah and The Property. Audiences also enjoyed comedies and cultural spotlights, including Bad Shabbos and Midas Man, which tied perfectly into the festival’s musical-themed evening with The WannaBeatles.
The milestone season highlighted NJFF’s ongoing mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through Jewish storytelling. From powerful dramas to lighthearted comedies, each film reflected the richness, resilience, and creativity of the global Jewish experience.
Supported by 60 generous sponsors and guided by 17 volunteer screeners, this year’s NJFF continued its legacy as one of Nashville’s most cherished cultural events. As this milestone season concludes, the festival also marks a moment of transition, as longtime NJFF chairs Laurie Eskind and Loretta Saff step down from their leadership roles after years of dedicated service. Their guidance, passion, and vision have shaped the festival into what it is today, and the NJFF community extends deep gratitude for their contributions. We look forward to their continuing participation and advice as the festival enters its next chapter.
As the curtains close on this year’s celebration, NJFF and the Gordon JCC extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Nashville community for 25 years of support — and look forward to another season of meaningful films, conversation, and connection in 2026.
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