JxJ is a multidisciplinary arts project that encompasses the Washington Jewish Film and Music Festivals, alongside hybrid arts programming.
Between the Festival and year-round programming, JxJ annually attracts 30,000 patrons across 180+ events held at venues throughout the DC region. One of the largest and most respected Jewish film festivals in North America, JxJ is an international exhibition of cinema that celebrates the diversity of Jewish history, culture and experience through the moving image. In addition to the annual festival, the WJFF presents an ongoing, year-round film series.
Beginning in 2019, the Washington Jewish Film Festival joined forces with the Washington Jewish Music Festival to form JxJ, a multidisciplinary event celebrating Jewish and Israeli arts. The film screenings are comprised almost entirely of regional, US and world premieres. Most screenings are followed by discussions with guest filmmakers and subject matter experts.
***During the Covid-19 pandemic, most JxJ programs, including the annual Festival, were held virtually. The May 2022 Festival will be a fully live, in-person event. Starting in September 2021, year-round JxJ programming will also return to in-person presentation.
The last pre-pandemic festival included panels, discussions and presentations with over 80 visiting artists and filmmakers from around the world.
Recent guests have included major US and international talents such as Eytan Fox, Roberta Grossman, Elliot Gould, Agnieszka Holland, Carol Kane, Barry Levinson, Marceline Loridan-Ivens, Natalie Portman, Eran Riklis, James Schamus, John Turturro, and Liv Ullman.
JxJ (formerly Washington Jewish Film Festival) is a non-competitive festival, but does give out three audience awards: Best Narrative, Best Documentary and Best Short Film.
