Film Festival
Discover powerful stories and diverse perspectives through our annual Jewish Film Festival events.
2026 Jewish Film Festival Lineup
February 12, 7:00 PM
A Matter of Size is an Israeli comedy (yes, comedy!) like
nothing you’ve seen before, a hilarious and heart-warming tale about a coming out of a different kind: four overweight
guys who learn to love themselves through the Japanese sport
of sumo wrestling!
Herzl (Itzik Cohen) has been struggling with his weight ever
since he was young, and his overbearing mother made it no
easier on him. His friends Aharon (Dvir Benedek) and Gidi (Alon
Dahan) struggle with the issue of weight in their personal lives
as well; from fear of losing a spouse to a “thinner” man, to
coming out as a gay bear.
When Herzl loses his job as a cook and starts washing dishes
in a Japanese restaurant, he discovers the world of Sumo,
where large people such as himself are honored and
appreciated. Through the restaurant owner Kitano (Togo
Igawa), a former Japanese Sumo coach (supposedly hiding
from the Yakuza in Israel) , Herzl and his friends fall in love with
a sport involving “two fatsos in diapers and girly hairdos”.
However, Herzl’s dedication to this demanding men-only sport
threatens his budding relationship with Zehava (Irit Kaplan), a
plus-size social worker.
Trailer: View
Best of Fest
February 14, 7:00 PM
Anita is the story of a young woman with Down syndrome
(Alejandra Manzo) who lives a happy, routine life in Buenos
Aires, being meticulously cared for by her mother Dora
(Academy Award nominee Norma Aleandro). One tragic
morning in 1994, everything changes when Anita is left alone,
confused and helpless after the nearby Argentine Israelite
Mutual Association is bombed (the deadliest bombing in
Argentina’s history). As Anita wanders through the city, she
learns not only to care for herself, but touches the lives of
those around her, from an alcoholic to a family of Asian
immigrants.
Anita is the latest from renowned filmmaker Marcos Carnevale,
director of “Elsa and Fred”. The film stars Academy Award
nominated actress Norma Aleandro (called the “Meryl Streep”
of Argentina), Peto Menahem, Luis Luque, Leonor Manso (who
was named Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 Argentine
Academy Awards for her performance), and introduces
Alejandra Manzo as Anita!
Trailer: View
Best of Fest
February 15, 1:00 PM
In picturesque Montmarte, three children wearing a yellow star
play in the streets, oblivious to the darkness spreading over
Nazi-occupied France. Their parents do not seem too
concerned either, somehow putting their trust in the Vichy
Government. But beyond this view, much is going on.
Hitler demands that the French government round up its Jews
and put them on trains for the extermination camps in the East.
The collaborators start to put the plan into effect and within a
short time, 13,000 of Paris’s Jews, among them 4,000 children,
will be rounded up and sent on a road with no return.
The fateful date: July 16th, 1942, 71 years ago.
With a meticulously constructed script based on extensive
research and first-hand accounts, writer/director Rose Bosch
brings to the screen one of the most moving dramas of the
year.
Powered by fluid direction and a string of stars- from Jean
Reno (The Da Vinci Code, Leon: The Professional) to Mélanie
Laurent (Inglourious Basterds, The Concert)- La Rafle (The
Roundup) became a big box-office hit in France, and its
audiences included thousands of young people who came to
learn about a dark chapter in their country’s history.
Trailer: View
Best of Fest
February 15, 4:00 PM
A heartfelt British coming-of-age comedy that follows 12-yearold Bernie Reuben, a boy determined to make his Bar Mitzvah
the most memorable day of his life. Set in London during the
summer of 1966, Bernie’s plans are thrown into chaos when he
realizes his big day lands on the same date as the World Cup
Final. As the England football frenzy consumes the entire
country, Bernie navigates family quirks, personal insecurities,
and the universal struggle to feel seen.
Blending humor and warmth, the film captures the bittersweet
journey of growing up and the meaning of family, tradition, and
identity.
Trailer: View
Best of Fest
February 19, 7:00 PM
Khaled, a 12-year-old boy from a Palestinian village, is
thrilled to join a school trip to see the sea for the first
time. However, at an Israeli military checkpoint,
soldiers declare his travel permit invalid and send him
back, while his classmates continue on. Determined
and heartbroken, Khaled sets out alone to reach the
sea, despite not knowing the way or speaking
Hebrew. His father, Ribhi, an undocumented laborer
working in Israel, abandons his job and risks arrest to
search for his missing son.
Trailer: View
February 21, 7:00 PM
From an Oscar, Peabody, and Emmy award-winning team,
“The
Stamp Thief” is part detective story, part heist film, and part
untold history. The documentary investigates a tale dating
back to the Holocaust: that a mysterious Nazi stole priceless
stamp collections from concentration camp victims and buried
the stolen stamps in a small town in Poland. Embarking on a
real-life “Argo”- like adventure, one-time “Seinfeld” producer
Gary Gilbert sets out to confirm the story and recover the
stamps. His tactic: a fake movie shoot. His goal: to return the
stamps to their rightful owners, hopefully delivering a small
measure of justice more than 70 years after the Holocaust.
Trailer: View
February 22, 2:00 PM
Assi, a failed actor, returns home to his family after
completing reserve duty during the war. Though he
dreams of becoming a successful performer, reality
finds him teaching theater at the local high school
and putting on a nightly cabaret show at the
community center. An unexpected turn of events
suddenly thrusts him into the spotlight—but not for
the reasons he had hoped. Assi is forced to choose
whether to give up on his dreams or fully chase them.
Trailer: View
February 22, 4:00 PM
The film follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon’s decision
on 7 October 2023 to drive down south from Tel Aviv to rescue
his son Amir Tibon and his young family from Kibbutz Nahal Oz,
near the northern Gaza Strip. During Hamas’ attack on Kibbutz
Nahal Oz over a quarter of residents were killed or taken
hostage. Amir, his wife, and two small children were hiding in
the safe room of their family home hearing the shooting and
shouting all around them, including shots taken in their living
room. At 4 PM in the afternoon, close to twelve hours after
they began hiding out, Noam and his wife Gali arrived to save
them together with the army and other family members.
Trailer: View
Support the Festival
Your sponsorship helps us continue to bring quality Jewish films to the community. Explore our sponsorship opportunities and benefits.
Support the Festival
Thank you for considering a sponsorship of the San Antonio Jewish Film Festival. Your donation will enable us to bring Jewish stories to hundreds of San Antonians and beyond.
Each contribution we receive is vital to continuing to bring this program to our audiences.
Your support provides the means to purchase the films chosen by our committee and the true theater experience in our very own Jewish Community Center.
All levels of sponsorship include Advanced Reserved Seat Selection and the opportunity to purchase additional tickets before tickets go on sale to the community. All in-person screenings to take place on the Campus of the San Antonio Jewish Community at 12500 NW Military Highway.
Advanced reservations should be made by emailing Mason Hockersmith.
YOUR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT FOR ALL OUR FILM
EVENTS, INCLUDING THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL (FEBRUARY),
LONE STAR CINEMA (SEPTEMBER–MAY), AND SUMMER SERIES (JUNE–AUGUST).
Producer – $1,200
- (4) tickets to each February film in our Jewish Film Festival lineup,
- 2025/2026 Lone Star Cinema and Summer Series Screenings.
- Priority Reserved Seating.
- Recognition on social media, website and at each event.
Director – $600
- (2) tickets to each February film in our Jewish Film Festival lineup,
- 2025/2026 Lone Star Cinema and Summer Series Screenings.
- Priority Reserved Seating.
- Recognition on social media, website and at each event.
Cinematographer – $300
- (10) tickets total to be used at your discretion for the Jewish Film
- Festival in February and Summer Series.
- Reserved Seating.
- Recognition on social media, website and at each event.
Sponsors have the opportunity to further support the JCC and the Festival through purchasing additional advertising (digital and print available) at a special rate. Contact Allison at (210) 302-6810 or sign up here.
2026 Festival Sponsors
We thank our 2026 sponsors for their generous support who help make this festival possible.
Producer
- Randi Brosterman & Bob Hutchens
- Ann Pomerantz
Director
- Charles Lerner
- Janet L. Atkins
- Barbie Scharf-Zeldes & Adam Zeldes
- James Lazarus & Susan Gershenhorn
- Dr. Roxanne Henkin & Mary Lou Dougherty
- Jody & Jack Fries
- Bonnie Reed & Stu Schlossberg
- Luann & Dr. Larry Cohen
- Carisa & Josh Heiss
- Danna & Jim Halff
Cinematographer
- Dr. Steven G. Kellman
- Lisa & Koby Sokoloff
- Gordon & Mary Weiner
- Clarance Dickinson
- Karen Furman
A Community Tradition Since 2001
Founded in partnership with Mel Pomerantz (of blessed memory), the San Antonio Jewish Film Festival has been a cornerstone of our cultural programming, bringing together audiences to celebrate Jewish cinema.
Summer Series Screenings
Extend your festival experience with our Summer Series, showcasing additional films on June 26, July 10, and August 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 festival takes place on February 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, and 22 at the Campus of the San Antonio Jewish Community at 12500 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231.
Tickets will be available online soon!
Thank you for considering a sponsorship of the San Antonio Jewish Film Festival. Your donation will enable us to bring Jewish stories to hundreds of San Antonians and beyond.
Each contribution we receive is vital to continuing to bring this program to our audiences.
Your support provides the means to purchase the films chosen by our committee and the true theater experience in our very own Jewish Community Center.
All levels of sponsorship include Advanced Reserved Seat Selection and the opportunity to purchase additional tickets before tickets go on sale to the community. All in-person screenings to take place on the Campus of the San Antonio Jewish Community at 12500 NW Military Highway.
Advanced reservations should be made by emailing Mason Hockersmith.
YOUR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND SUPPORT FOR ALL OUR FILM
EVENTS, INCLUDING THE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL (FEBRUARY),
LONE STAR CINEMA (SEPTEMBER–MAY), AND SUMMER SERIES (JUNE–AUGUST).
Producer – $1,200
- (4) tickets to each February film in our Jewish Film Festival lineup,
- 2025/2026 Lone Star Cinema and Summer Series Screenings.
- Priority Reserved Seating.
- Recognition on social media, website and at each event.
Director – $600
- (2) tickets to each February film in our Jewish Film Festival lineup,
- 2025/2026 Lone Star Cinema and Summer Series Screenings.
- Priority Reserved Seating.
- Recognition on social media, website and at each event.
Cinematographer – $300
- (10) tickets total to be used at your discretion for the Jewish Film
- Festival in February and Summer Series.
- Reserved Seating.
- Recognition on social media, website and at each event.
Sponsors have the opportunity to further support the JCC and the Festival through purchasing additional advertising (digital and print available) at a special rate. Contact Allison at (210) 302-6810 or sign up here.
The Summer Series features additional film screenings on select dates, providing more opportunities to enjoy Jewish cinema throughout the year.
A dedicated committee reviews and selects films that are recent, feature Jewish content, and resonate with our community.
