Photo credit: Mayerson JCC
Submitted by Mayerson JCC
The Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival presents a diverse, inspiring lineup of award-winning films and engaging, educational programming that connects to Jewish and Israeli stories. The 2026 Film Festival is entirely in-person, including film showings and special events. While each film will be shown in-person, audience members have the opportunity to view half of the films from home.
The festival will feature thirteen in-person and six multi-access virtual films, as well as several short films, from January 31 – February 26, 2026. Most films offer optional supplementary programming, which includes conversations with film directors as well as local experts on issues covered in the films.
“The films offer compelling stories that often don’t receive recognition within mainstream media,” said Eowyn Garfinkle Plymesser, Manager of Arts & Culture. “It is important to give our community the opportunity to see these films and experience their themes. Whether they are looking to try out a foreign-language film, learn something new, or expand their understanding, we strive to have a film for everyone. Each film offers our audience the opportunity to engage their empathy while experiencing film as an art form that creates conversations and has the power to build bridges.”
The festival will kick off with an Opening Night screening of “Ethan Bloom” on Saturday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall OTR. After losing his mother, thirteen-year-old Ethan finds solace in the Catholic church — a refuge that feels like home, even though he was born into a Jewish family. When his father insists on a bar mitzvah and Ethan’s secret unravels at his girlfriend’s confirmation party, the young seeker must confront the lies he’s told and the grief he’s been running from.
A sensory screening will also be available for this film on Sunday, February 1. This alternate screening aims to provide a sensory-friendly environment to allow community members of all abilities to enjoy our Opening film. Tickets for this screening are sold separately.
The festival’s Closing Night, on Thursday, February 26 at 7 p.m. at Cincinnati Union Terminal, will feature “The Property.” A grieving Israeli grandmother reluctantly travels with her granddaughter to Warsaw’s wintry streets to reclaim property lost during the war, exhuming buried memories and hidden truths. Struggling with the recent loss of her son, the fiercely proud elder bears the emotional weight of the trip, while her independent granddaughter longs to learn her family history. Dana Modan’s touching adaptation of her sister Rutu Modan’s award-winning graphic novel is nominated for four Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay.
The Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival has received critical acclaim, enabling people from all over Cincinnati to experience thought-provoking Jewish and Israeli films from around the world. The festival builds community by attracting community organizations and experts to speak about the issues presented in the diverse slate of films.
For more information on the Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, including up-to-date details on the selected films and schedule of events, please visit The MayersonJCC website.
