Sections
Section Feature Film Competition
Eleven entries compete for the Gershon Klein Feature Film Award. Named after the Berlin cinema pioneer.
Feature films that deal with Jewish life and culture in the past, present and future. In which Jewish characters and themes essentially carry the plot and which originate from Jewish filmmakers. Preference will be given to German premieres. The films submitted should not have had a theatrical release, television broadcast or streaming premiere in Germany before the JFBB. The production year of the films should not be older than 2023.
The prize will be awarded to the director by an international festival jury and comes with prize money of 3000 EUR.
In general all films are shown with German and English subtitles. Please refer to the information provided with each film for the respective language version.
Section Documentary Film Competition
Nine entries compete for the Gershon Klein Feature Film Award. Named after the Berlin cinema pioneer.
Documentaries that deal with Jewish life and culture in the past, present and future. In which Jewish characters and themes essentially carry the plot and which originate from Jewish filmmakers. The German premiere of the submitted films is required.
The prize is awarded to the director by an international festival jury and comes with prize money of 3000 EUR.
In general all films are shown with German and English subtitles. Please refer to the information provided with each film for the respective language version.
Section KINO FERMISHED
A colourful mix of genres. The special cinema of the JFBB.
In general all films are shown with German and English subtitles. Please refer to the information provided with each film for the respective language version.
Section short films: Nosh Nosh
Nosh Nosh—Yiddish for little “treats.” But what is served here is far more than a quick bite. These short films unleash a power of their own: at times tart, at others sweet, and always surprising in form and content. International voices meet a variety of storytelling styles, and great moments of cinema emerge from seemingly small formats. A menu that stays interesting. Nosh Nosh.
In 2026 JFBB presents two short film programmes "Nosh Nosh".
In general all films are shown with German and English subtitles. Please refer to the information provided with each film for the respective language version.
Section Nordic Jewish Focus
Jewishness in Nordic film may sound unusual at first, yet from silent film pioneer Mauritz Stiller – who in 1916 directed THE WINGS, the first feature with homosexual themes in cinematic history – to Oscar-winning director Susanne Bier, there have to date been several films from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden that depict Jewish experience and contemporary life. We present a selection of current feature films, documentaries, and short works, ranging from historical reflection to pointed contemporary comedy.
We thank the Nordic Embassies in Berlin for their cooperation.
Section The Other Israel
The “Other Israel” film festival was founded in New York in 2007 to explore the complex, reciprocal relationships between Israeli and Palestinian societies, as well as the situation of other “minorities” in Israel. The festival highlights human stories that examine the relationship between history, culture and identity – and reflect on the paralellities between different experiences. In collaboration with “Other Israel” Film Festival, we are showing a selection of films that challenge the simplistic thinking of current political discourse in the Middle East debates.
Supported by the Federal Agency for Civic Education.