JFBB pro 2026

The third edition of JFBB pro brought together filmmakers, producers, and festival guests on May 6 at the Felleshus of the Nordic Embassies. From the very welcome by Mathias Irminger Sonne of the Danish Embassy, it became clear just how special the setting for the day was: the Nordic embassies had opened their spaces for discussions and new encounters. This open atmosphere carried through the entire program.

Right from the start, the focus was on a big question: how can film today engage with social conflicts and political tensions without offering simple answers? In the first panel, “When Complexity Meets the Demand for Entertainment,” Christian Bräuer, Managing Director of the Yorck Kinogruppe, director Dani Levy, producer Julia Müller, director Assaf Machnes, producer and film critic Jason Solomons, and director Shirel Peleg discussed responsibility, entertainment, and the possibilities of cinema with Nir Ferber (JFBB Program Committee). Particularly compelling were the insights into how societal debates are concretely impacting Berlin’s cinema landscape.

Between program points, the best conversations often happened informally: over coffee, cinnamon buns, and Nordic fika at the Felleshus café, or during the shared lunch in the canteen.

In the afternoon, the Dagesh workshop opened a highly personal space for contemporary Jewish art. Works by Irina Dzhus (ANTICON), Matan Tal (My Sister Shira), Marccela Moreno (Shemira), Ron Segal (ADAM), and Soso Dumbadze (Ein Zufall) were presented. The projects spanned a wide range of forms and stages—raw, experimental, reflective, and humorous at once. It was precisely these differences that highlighted how diverse Jewish perspectives are being told today.

The subsequent project presentations were driven less by classic pitches than by mutual curiosity. Assaf Machnes, Ido Gotlib, Nina F. Grünfeld, Shira Kela, Shoshana Simon, and Uta Arning offered engaging insights into their current projects. Alongside the challenges they face, there was also a direct exchange of ideas and potential future collaborations.

In the evening, the focus shifted to Nordic cinema. In the discussion “Jewish Themes in Nordic Film – Exceptions or the Rule?”, Nina F. Grünfeld, Uta Arning, and Gideon Bolotowsky spoke about Jewish perspectives in Nordic film and about which stories are visible—and which are still missing. The talk was moderated by JFBB Program Director Bernd Buder.

The subsequent film evening demonstrated just how varied these cinematic voices can be. The short film program ranged from Yiddish theatre in Stockholm to the absurd, dry Danish humor of Snipped. The day concluded with Never Alone by Klaus Härö, accompanied by a conversation with lead actor Rony Herman and Gideon Bolotowsky, honorary chairman of the Jewish Community of Helsinki, together with Cora Falk-Rode. With Finnish (non-alcoholic) beer sponsored by the Finnish Embassy, an intense and inspiring day came to a relaxed close.

Many thanks to all participants, guests, and partners who once again made JFBB pro a space for encounters and new perspectives.