Organization: Jewish Film Institute
Mission: The Jewish Film Institute (JFI) is the premier curatorial voice for Jewish film and media and a leading arts and culture organization based in the Bay Area. JFI catalyzes and inspires communities in San Francisco and around the world to expand understanding of Jewish life and culture through film, media, and dialogue. JFI each year produces the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, in four Bay Area counties. It is the largest Jewish cultural event in Northern California and the first and largest festival of its kind worldwide. The annual festival provides a suite of awards, some with cash prizes, including: the Freedom of Expression Award (recent recipients include Norman Lear, Lee Grant, Kirk Douglas and documentary filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Liz Garbus); Audience Award for Best Narrative and Best Documentary; the Film Movement Award for Best Narrative Short; a juried award for Best Documentary Short (the winner is eligible for the Oscars); and the SF Film Critics Award for best inter
Activities: The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF), is the signature program of the Jewish Film Institute. It is the first and largest festival of its kind and a leader in the curation and presentation of new film and media exploring the complexities of Jewish life around the world. Presenting more than 65 films and 135 individual screenings, performances and events in five Bay Area cities (San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Rafael, Oakland, Albany), SFJFF attracts more than 40,000 filmgoers and industry professionals to its 18-day program.
JFI Next Wave programs serve audiences ages 18-35 throughout the year and at the summer Festival. JFI Next Wave is a community of the Next generation of contemporary Jewish film lovers. Next Wave events take place in alternative venues throughout the year and focus on web series, master classes, and work by emerging film and media makers. Next Wave parties include filmmakers, actors, and artists; experiences and events that step outside the boundaries of film such as live music, comedy and art and, (of course), drink, eat, socialize, and network with other young leaders and fans of the independent arts community.?Next Wave members receive all-inclusive Festival passes, attend private VIP receptions.
JFI has a Filmmaker in Residence program and during 2019 had five filmmakers working on films with Jewish content. The purpose of the residency is to support filmmakers who are working on films with Jewish content by providing office space, consulting, and mentorship from JFI's program staff who are all working filmmakers. Additionally, the Filmmaker in Residence program has been in existence for 7 years and through this program, JFI is creating a community of filmmakers.
NTEE category: Arts, Culture & Humanities
Secondary category: Education