Joyce's Short Film Series

Welcome to Joyce's Short Film Series | August 2025-February 2026.

Joyce Axelrod is a passionate arts advocate and prominent figure in San Diego’s cultural landscape. She is the founding chair of the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival, now in its 36th year, and the founder of Joyce's Short Film Series (previously know as the Joyce Forum Jewish Short Film Festival), a series dedicated to short films.

In addition to her leadership in film, Joyce actively supports the arts through her service on advisory committees for several arts and performing arts organizations. As a videographer, she has created films for numerous Jewish and non-Jewish non-profit organizations throughout San Diego County, further amplifying community voices through storytelling.

Joyce's Short Film Series presents short documentary, narrative and animated films from August 2025 to February 2026, along with a national and international roster of guest speakers and filmmakers. We offer an array of films that depict elements of Jewish life, history and culture. Awards will be selected by a distinguished panel of Jurors and be announced in February 2026.

Joyce's Short Film Series is part of the annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival year-round programming with the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center/Center for Jewish Culture.

Since its inception in 1990, the SDIJFF has become one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals of its kind, and has the highest attendance of any Jewish cultural event in San Diego County.