"50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in 2020, 2021, 2022
- MovieMaker Magazine

"One of the Best Jewish Film Festival's in the US"
- The Forward

"One of South Florida's Best Film Festivals"
- Miami New Times

"Best of Miami, Readers Choice"
- Miami's Community Newspapers

"An important stop for any filmmaker"
- Sun-Sentinel

"A monumental festival"
- The Miami Herald

The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) is the world's preeminent Jewish film festival and the largest festival of its kind dedicated to celebrating new film and media exploring universal themes of identity, history, and culture. Presenting its 27th edition from January 11-25, 2024, the Festival showcases the work of the world's best emerging and established filmmakers and offers cash awards totaling more than $40,000 in juried competition categories. Among the 105 films that premiered at the 2023 Festival which featured the largest Jewish film program in the world, more than 50 were selected from FilmFreeway submissions. Miami Jewish Film Festival has also made the prestigious "One of the 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" list by MovieMaker Magazine in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

In 2023, the Miami Jewish Film Festival drew more than 35,000 filmgoers and attracted more than 100 filmmakers, producers, talent, and industry professionals to its two-week event of inspiring films, events, panels, and parties that are hosted at 7 major venues throughout Miami. In all, the Festival presents more than 100 feature narratives, documentaries, and short films of all genres, from more than 25 different countries.

MJFF presents dramatic and documentary features, experimental, and animated features and shorts about Jewish history, culture, and identity as well as films that reflect life through a Jewish lens. The programming staff takes a broad view of what makes a film Jewish and have been known to curate films that are Jew(ish) as well as films about issues that are relevant to Jewish communities and resonate with other cultural communities across the globe. Works in all forms and genres are considered.

The Festival receives significant industry recognition; each year several films premiering at the Festival are acquired for US distribution. Recent distributors who have acquired films directly from the Festival include Kino Lorber ("The Last Resort"), Samuel Goldwyn Films ("Saul & Ruby, To Life!," "Sobibor"), Netflix ("Curtiz"), Strand Releasing ("The Other Story"), Menemsha Films ("Tiger Within," "If You See My Mother," "1945," "In Search of Israeli Cuisine," "Leona"), Film Movement ("Shtetlers," "God of the Piano"), Breaking Glass Pictures ("Extra Innings," "Children of the Inquisition"), Passion River Films ("The Barn"), and Go2Films ("Sefarad"), among others.

GRAND JURY PRIZE - $18,000
Miami Jewish Film Festival's top award, presenting $18,000 USD prize to the jury-selected feature film (60 minutes or longer) that is open to any filmmaker whose work – feature narrative or documentary – presents either a substantial portion of its content as Jewish interest or is produced in Israel.

DOCUMENTARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - $18,000
The award offers a cash prize of $18,000 USD to the jury-selected documentary feature film (60 minutes or longer) that is open to any filmmaker whose work presents either a substantial portion of its content as Jewish interest or is produced in Israel.

NEXT WAVE JURY PRIZE - $5,000
A juried prize selected by 21-35-year-olds presenting $5,000 USD to a film of any genre that is a directorial debut.

SHORT FILM COMPETITION JURY PRIZE - $500
Winner receives a non-exclusive US distribution release of their film through Film Movement, as well as a $500.00 USD prize.

CRITICS JURY PRIZE
Presented to a film of any genre voted on by all accredited film critics covering the annual Festival, for the film they consider the best of that year’s selection.

AUDIENCE AWARD FOR NARRATIVE
Presented to the filmmakers of the Festival audience’s choice of best narrative feature (60 min or more).

AUDIENCE AWARD FOR DOCUMENTARY
Presented to the filmmakers of the Festival audience’s choice of best documentary feature (60 min or more).

The 27th Miami Jewish Film Festival will take place from January 11-25, 2024.

1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from February 6, 2023. The deadline is October 27, 2023. Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.

2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

3. Submission Eligibility
- MJFF requires at least a Florida Premiere for any feature or short film.
- Works-in-progress are accepted.

4. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

5. Festival Screenings
Films selected for the Festival will be required to provide a DCP format file for In-Theater Exhibition. Blu-ray or pro-res video files may also be requested.

6. Scheduling
No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection, nor will MJFF pay screening fees for any submissions.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • It was an honor to be part of the Miami Jewish Film Festival. So many were able to watch and enjoy my film, and I am indeed grateful. The communication was amazing, and the festival organizers, volunteers and sponsors truly created a welcoming and enjoyable environment, All the screenings and the events we attended were packed, good times and all the films were excellent.
    Great festival hosted by an awesome team! Thank you for supporting independent films. I hope to work with you again soon.

    February 2023
  • Kathryn Parks

    I so enjoyed attending MJFF. Our film, THE FABULOUS OHS, was virtual but we really felt like they rolled out the red carpet for us. The communication was wonderful, the people we met were very kind and inclusive, and the events we attended were packed with a lot of people and a lot of love. Highly recommend. Thank you MJFF!

    February 2023
  • Malka Shabtay

    It was a a great experience..excellent communication before the festival. Very good interview that was part of the online festival...and finally I received the summary of the people who viewed my film and the audience score...

    February 2023
  • Laurel Levey

    What a film festival! The premier night was so exciting. The venues throughout Miami Beach were perfect settings to watch the films. I want to thank Igor for making this a most memorable festival, the largest Jewish film festival in the world! Our film BOXED won Audience Choice for narrative short film and we couldn't more proud. This festival runs like a well oiled machine. Very organized, friendly, professional and full of deep enthusiasm for Jewish film. I fully recommend this festival to showcase your Jewish film to an eager audience!

    March 2022
  • Peter Stein

    I am so delighted that you chose "Out of Exile - the Photography of Fred Stein" for you wonderful film festival. You have been extremely supportive and considerate and have made the whole process a lovely experience. Many thanks for your thoughtfulness and for selecting our film! Peter Stein

    February 2022