About the Festival

JCC Chicago’s Jewish Film Festival features powerful films that showcase humanity through documentaries, dramas, and comedies. This iconic film festival has been an important and highly anticipated cultural event within the community, screening nearly 300 films, debuting over 100 premieres and hosting 65,000 filmgoers throughout Chicago.

The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival presents films that depict Jewish life, values, and history, with a mission of fostering an understanding of Jewish contributions to world culture. Our 2025 festival was as relevant as ever with films responding to the October 7th attacks, antisemitism on college campuses, and the technology industry in Israel.

“The carefully curated selection of films are connected by the theme of humanity—stories that balance the importance of understanding and honoring important moments in history and those that showcase the beauty of the Jewish traditions, culture and spirit. Community is at the heart of all we do at the J, and this year’s film festival is designed to again ignite conversations, grow hope, and inspire a more understanding, accepting and kind world.”

— Addie Goodman, President and CEO of JCC Chicago

What makes our festival special:

• Exclusive Premieres: Many of our films are Chicago debuts.
• Engaging Discussions: Select screenings include Q&A sessions with filmmakers, actors, and experts to deepen your connection to the stories you see.
• Community Connection: Join fellow film enthusiasts to celebrate storytelling that sparks dialogue and inspires change.

We’re also proud to host ReelAbilities Chicago, a festival that amplifies the voices of disabled individuals in film as role models, artists, and filmmakers. This festival puts the spotlight on disabled individuals as protagonists, role models, artists and producers, all on the big screen.