Jewish Film Festival Winners Announced

"Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen" (BRJFF)

(PRESS RELEASE)_Boca Raton, Fla. – (June 6, 2022) – The Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival (BRJFF), presented by the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC Sandler Center (Levis JCC Sandler Center) from Feb. 20 through April 30, announces this year’s winners for best feature film, best documentary film and best short film. Viewed by over 3,000 people, audiences consider the hybrid film festival a premiere destination for Jewish and Israeli films and is now considered one of the country’s largest film festivals of its kind.
 
All 80 films were judged based on the overall quality of the film, effectiveness of the message, entertainment value and audience popularity, among other criteria.
 
“Over the past six years we have gained the trust and respect of our audiences by hand-selecting a wide variety of films that we believe best represent the unique perspectives of the Jewish experience,” said Lesley Rich, BRJFF Program Director. “We are grateful for our partnerships with filmmakers all over the world for sharing their experiences and vision with our community.”
 
Winners of the 2022 BRJFF include:

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Best Feature Film – “Carol of the Bells”
The Ukrainian film directed by Olesya Morgunets-Isaenko and produced by Maksim Leshchanka tells the story of how the famed Christmas song, “Carol of the Bells,” adapted from a popular Ukrainian folk melody, came to represent the spirit of brotherhood and unity all over the world.
 
"It's very important for us and the whole team in these hard times for Ukraine,” said Morgunets-Isaenko. “Our film was meant to remind the world about the tragedies caused by the war. Now we witness the same tragedies in our country. Thank you for this opportunity to communicate our message to the audience of the BRJFF."
 
Best Documentary Film – “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen”
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of "Fiddler on the Roof," the film “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen” captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewison's quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envision the beloved stage hit as a wide-screen epic.
 
Best Short Film – “Pops”
Director Lewis Rose and producers Chris Hees, François Morisset and Laura Jumel lead audiences on an adventure as siblings Roz and Elli battle about who will determine their pop's final journey.
 
“It is not without the community’s support that our Festival is able to come to life each year,” said Stephanie Owitz, Levis JCC Sandler Center Director of Arts, Culture and Learning. “We are thankful to our grand benefactor Judy Levis Krug for her steadfast commitment to this organization. Her dedication remains an integral part of presenting this Festival.”
 
For audiences that desire year-round film programming, the Levis JCC Billi & Bernie Marcus Year-Round Film Programs is proud to present its Summer Series which runs one Wednesday per month from June through Sept. Tickets are $10. Visit bocajff.org for the full schedule of films, synopses, screening locations and to purchase tickets.  
 
The 7th annual BRJFF is slated to run March 5 through March 26, 2023. 
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For more information, contact Lisa Barash at lisab@bocafed.org or call 561-558-2514. The Levis JCC Sandler Center is located at 21050 95th Avenue S. in Boca Raton. ​