The Maine Jewish Film Festival celebrates filmmaking—inspiring conversation through the lens of global Jewish experience. Innovative programming invites a diverse statewide audience into the dialogue.
As one of Maine’s premier cultural organizations, we pursue partnerships and collaborations with other cultural and community organizations across the state.
Past and current partners include the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the Portland Museum of Art, Portland Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation, Maine ACLU, Portland NAACP, the Museum of African Culture, EqualityMaine, Interfaith Youth Alliance, Holocaust and Human Rights Center and the Cromwell Center for Disability Awareness, and the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine.
We’ve also worked with educational institutions such as Maine Media Workshops + College, UMaine School of Law, USM, MECA, Bates College and Colby College to offer formative and enriching screening events for the entire community.
Over the past two years, under the leadership of former E.D. Barbara Merson, MJFF made a successful pivot to virtual programming – reaching more Mainers than ever, while continuing to provide thought-provoking films and stimulating discussions to our audience.
Here’s a fact:
Maine is one of the smallest states in the nation to boast an independent and professional Jewish film festival. Because we’re independent, we can present intensely curated, diverse, and sophisticated programs of documentary, narrative, and film shorts that reflect Jewish values and/or explore the global Jewish experience.25 in '23!
It all began in the late 90s, with six (well-chosen) films screened on a TV monitor at a synagogue in South Portland. Now we’re about to look back at twenty-five years of experience and growth across the state, with live screenings in Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Brunswick, Waterville and Rockland and related events featuring music, dance, food, readings, conversations and so much more.
Our work becomes even more relevant as, in recent years, waves of immigration have reshaped demographics in many parts of our state. At MJFF, we see these as opportunities to use our programming and events to build community across an increasingly diverse population.
We’re excited about our 25th year – as we embark on a period of post-pandemic reinvention – with new strategic partnerships and collaborations, and exciting new presentation formats that allow us to reach out and give more to loyal patrons, newcomers, and the greater community.
25 in ’23. Check back soon and often to see what’s new, and how MJFF is reinforcing its position and relevance — with more programs and greater outreach—to the cultural landscape of Maine.
