The 33rd Annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival (SDIJFF) runs in person from Feb. 15-26, 2023, and continues virtually from Feb. 27-March 3. The SDIJFF showcases a selection of the best contemporary Jewish films. Thirty-five feature films will be screened and there will be plenty of free in-person-only screenings at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre.

Film enthusiasts can attend in-person screenings at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, while virtual film screenings are available on demand beginning on Feb. 27 and will remain available through March 3. Limited, free in-person screenings which will be held at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre. The Underwriter-exclusive screening of “Remember This,” starring David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck, Lincoln, Nomadland), will be at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 15.

This festival is known to be one of the most prestigious Jewish film festivals in the country. Tickets are $18 per program and $15 for JCC members.  A virtual only pass is $75 and $65 for JCC members.

All of the films that will be screened at the festival were carefully selected to represent the Jewish experience, including highlights such as:

“Karaoke”

Opening Night film: Meir and Tova’s “fun-loving” new neighbor shows them what they’ve been missing and what they didn’t know about each other.  Nominated for 14 Ophir awards (Israeli Academy Awards) including Best Film.

“Farewell, Mr. Haffmann”

A jeweler’s assistant, hoping to better himself and help his Jewish employer, finds himself in a complicated position as he navigates his marriage, the Nazis and the war.  Starring Daniel Auteuil Caché (Hidden), Jean de Florette and The Closet.

“Rock Camp”

Centerpiece film: Watch average people jam with real rock stars at Rock Camp and learn that there is much more to rock and roll than music and a good time.  There will be a Q&A after the film with guest speaker: David Fishof, Founder of Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp.

“More Than I Deserve”

A mother and son, Ukrainian immigrants to Israel, struggle to navigate their new country in social, religious and political ways, learning much about themselves on this journey.  Nominated for seven Ophir Awards (Israeli Academy Awards).

“The Replacement ”

Closing Night film: Two police misfits, an inept older detective and an impulsive new officer, uncover a decades-old conspiracy in a sleepy seaside town.

This year’s 2023 Film Selection Committee includes: Christina Fink as Chair, Joyce Axelrod as Founding Chair, along with Francine Ginsburg and Helen Fleming as Past Chairs, as well as Herb Adelman, Judith Friedel, Michele Kipnis, Leslie Oster, Saundra Saperstein, Sarah Scott and Sandra Silverstein.

Tickets are on sale now. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit https://www.lfjcc.org/film.