Award winners 2025

JFBB Prizes 2025 awarded: Focus on films about 7 October

The winning films of the 31st Jewish Film Festival Berlin and Brandenburg (JFBB) were honoured on Friday at the Brandenburg State Representation to the Federal Government. All award-winning films can be seen at the JFBB until Sunday.

JFBB Managing Director Andreas Stein draws a positive interim conclusion: "The move to May has proved successful - audience interest has grown noticeably. Our goal of making Jewish life worldwide visible on film and opening up diverse perspectives was fulfilled in numerous intensive film discussions. ‘

Gershon Klein Feature Film Award
The prize goes to OF DOGS AND MEN (IL 2024) by Dani Rosenberg - a film about life in a state of emergency, shot during the war.
"For the courageous gesture of shooting a film in a war zone during the war; for the subtle mix of fiction and documentary and the clear dramaturgical choices of the film; for the amazing interpretation of the main actress Ori Avinoam and for the sensitive observations of people in an extreme situation.’ - Jury statement

Gershon Klein Documentary Film Award
Brandon Kramer's HOLDING LIAT (US 2025) receives the award for its sensitive portrait of a family waking up to a nightmare on 7 October.
"It's a story about parenthood, perseverance and politics - but most of all, it's a film about hope and the human struggle to hold on to it, even in the face of the most horrific personal and national tragedy.’ - Jury statement

Honourable mention
The documentary film jury awarded an honourable mention to THE BELLE FROM GAZA (FR 2024) by Yolande Zauberman.

Prize for intercultural dialogue
Zvi Landsman's JACOB DE HAAN: A VOICE OUT OF TIME impressed the jury with its lyrical depth and its reflection on identity, faith and Jewish history.
"With quiet power and lyrical depth, the film reveals hidden worlds of identity and faith - past and present. It explores a fragile moment in history and a unique personality whose voice and bold ideas still resonate a century later. ‘- Jury statement

Newcomer Award
Tom Nesher was honoured for her feature film debut COME CLOSER. The prize was awarded at the festival opening.

The Gershon Klein Prizes are endowed with 3,000 € each, the Prize for Intercultural Dialogue and the Young Talent Award with 2,000 € each.

The JFBB is showing a total of 57 films and numerous film talks at venues in Berlin and Potsdam until Sunday - including all the winning films. The complete programme: jfbb.info