Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival

Schedule of Events:

3:00 PM: Avenue of the Giants

Beautiful intergenerational film about how the sharing of one’s emotional trauma can lead to healing and transformative friendship. Based on a true story, the film focuses on Herbert Heller, a Holocaust survivor who has kept his experiences during the war a secret for 60 years – even from his own family. When Herbert encounters a troubled at-risk teen coping with her own personal trauma, he recognizes the pain and begins to speak openly for the first time about his past to try to help her heal. Incredibly touching and skillfully produced, the film will resonate with viewers long after viewing.

Preceded by a short film.

Out of Sight 2023 8 minutes Hebrew w/subtitles Tamar Dadon-Raveh
Set in 1946, two European Jewish girls meet aboard a ship on its way to Israel and share stories of their survival in hiding during the Holocaust.

Location: Harkins Chandler Fashion - 3159 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226

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3:00 PM: Here Lived

How does one memorialize innocent victims of atrocities in meaningful ways that impact the living? German conceptual artist Gunter Demnig came up with the concept of “Stolpersteines” (stumbling stones) – concrete blocks topped with hand-stamped brass plates with the names and fates of victims of the Holocaust. The blocks are laid into the pavement in front of the last home of the murdered victim. This documentary looks at the process of creating the stones, focusing specifically on Stolpersteines for Jewish victims in the Netherlands (many of them hidden children), and including interviews from surviving family and acquaintances. Currently there are over 100,000 Stolpersteines located in over 30 European countries.

Preceded by a short film.

Inked: Our Stories Remarked  2024  22 minutes English Dara Bratt
“Inked” is an exploration into a captivating yet complex, new phenomenon—in which third generation descendants of Holocaust survivors choose to remember their ancestors through commemorative Holocaust tattoos.

Location: Scottsdale Harkins Shea - 7354 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

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7:00 PM: Four Winters

A powerful documentary about Jewish partisans during the Holocaust with incredible personal testimonies. Over 25,000 Jews escaped to the forests of Poland, Belarus, the Ukraine and Lithuania and fought the Nazis in every way they could. They blew up trains and bridges and staged armed attacks and acts of sabotage against the enemy. Many of the partisans were young men and women in their teens who demonstrated exceptional courage despite danger and loss. Through archival film footage and interviews, we have proof that during the Holocaust, Jews resisted when possible and did not simply go “like sheep to the slaughter”.

Location: Harkins Chandler Fashion - 3159 W Chandler Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226

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7:00 PM: Song of Ascent

Matisyahu, the famous Jewish reggae inspired singer/songwriter, visits Israel in the aftermath of October 7, performing concerts throughout the country to provide support and show unity. This compelling documentary follows Matisyahu as he meets with survivors of the massacre, as well as army officers who were on-site and family members of the victims. The film also looks at the extreme antisemitism erupting after October 7, resulting in the cancellation of many of his concerts in the U.S. and Europe. Reactions to his concerts demonstrate that music can have a powerful effect on trauma.

Location: Scottsdale Harkins Shea - 7354 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

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