Dear friends of the Jewish Film Days Frankfurt,

Welcome to the 2026 edition of our festival!
The cinema is a meeting place. It provides a space for stories that move us, provoke us, make us think, and stimulate conversation. Once again, this year’s Jewish Film Days Frankfurt invites you to discover the diversity of Jewish perspectives on the big screen: moving, contentious, humorous, thought-provoking, and full of stories that have an impact far beyond the movie theater.

At a time when democratic values are increasingly under threat, social debates are often shaped by escalating conflicts and polarization, antisemitic hatred is being openly displayed, and Jewish life is once again being threatened and called into question — not only worldwide but also here in Frankfurt — a festival like this is more important than ever. It brings Jewish experiences to light, provides a platform for diverse voices, and invites us to see things from a different perspective.

Once again, this year’s Jewish Film Days Frankfurt will showcase the rich diversity of Jewish life and storytelling through feature films, short films, and documentaries, through historical retrospectives and highly topical examinations of the present, and through intimate family stories as well as political debates. The program takes viewers from Frankfurt to Buenos Aires, from Jerusalem to Rio de Janeiro, from the immediate postwar period to the present-day following October 7, 2023. A wide variety of voices and real-life experiences intertwine, revealing just how multifaceted Jewish reality is today. The focus is not only on Jewish history, but also on current social developments, cultural diversity, and the question of how we want to live together in the future.

For the first time, the festival is presenting curated sections that add depth and focus to the program. The Rituals Section is dedicated to those moments in which tradition, family, faith, and community come alive — from the Brit Mila to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah to the Kaddish. The Uncommon Ground Section turns its attention to the Middle East, exploring history, memory, conflict, as well as the question of whether forms of shared vulnerability can still emerge despite irreconcilable differences. Both sections demonstrate how film creates spaces in which identity, memory, and the present can be reexamined.

For the first time, the festival is creating a central hub at Bar Shuka / Cinema in the 25hours Hotel The Trip. Located right in the heart of the Bahnhofsviertel, it will host films, discussions, and gatherings, bringing the Jewish Film Days Frankfurt out of the movie theater. Here, you can experience the festival atmosphere — open, lively, and right in the heart of the city!

We would like to thank all the filmmakers, guests, partner institutions, sponsors, and the dedicated festival team including Sarah Fischer, Ira Haller and Sonja Roos, who make this diverse program possible. We wish our visitors inspiring film days, moving experiences, and lively discussions.

We look forward to seeing you!