Watching a film is an emotional, as well as an intellectual, experience that can begin to change hearts and minds.

We often feel like the word “festival” doesn’t begin to describe what we do and why it matters. Yes, we present important new films that can’t be seen anywhere else. But as one of Maine’s leading cultural organizations, our goal has always been to use film and film programming to bring about greater tolerance and understanding.

The films we select and present explore universal themes through the lens of the global Jewish experience. We know that good films are not polemic; they inspire reflection by presenting subject matter from different points of views. They take viewers on journeys into life experiences that may be quite unlike their own, inspiring empathy through insight..

More than reading, or taking in social media, or TV news, watching a film is an emotional, as well as an intellectual, experience that can begin to change hearts and minds.

MJFF is not a big-city festival that flourishes on the basis of a large local Jewish population. The Jewish population in Maine is spread out in cities and small towns across our state. In fact, only a little more than half of our audience identifies as Jewish – which we see as a positive.  Like the old ad for rye bread (“You don’t have to be Jewish to love Levi’s!), you don’t have to be Jewish to seek out and enjoy our films. In fact, reaching a more diverse audience is critical to our mission.

Here in Maine, like anywhere else, antisemitism and hate speech are on the rise. Through virtual offerings and collaborations with other cultural organizations, we’re determined to reach more people (of all ages) in more places throughout Maine.

The Maine Jewish Film Festival has always been about bringing people together. Now more than ever – we make a difference.