Landmark Four-Week Festival Celebrates Global Storytelling, Community Impact, and Cinematic Excellence
After four powerful weeks of storytelling that captivated audiences across South Florida, the Boca International Jewish Film Festival (BIJFF) has announced its 2026 Festival Award winners, honoring films that resonated deeply through their artistry, emotion, and cultural impact.
This year’s milestone festival showcased more than 75 films from 25 countries, including 25 Israeli premieres, offering an expansive and thought-provoking exploration of the global Jewish experience.
From deeply personal documentaries to bold narrative features and compelling Holocaust stories, the 2026 selections sparked conversation, reflection, and connection among audiences.
“As an independent, volunteer-driven festival, it’s incredibly meaningful to see how these films move and unite our community,” said Lesley Rich, Co-Founder. “Each award-winning film represents the power of storytelling to illuminate history, celebrate resilience, and inspire dialogue.”
Marcus Film Series Awards
Best Narrative Feature: The Ring
A poignant autobiographical dramedy blending signature Israeli humor with a deeply emotional, intergenerational search for a Holocaust-era family heirloom.
Best Documentary Feature (Tie): TOVAH and Labors of Love
TOVAH delivers a star-studded portrait of Broadway icon Tovah Feldshuh, while Labors of Love explores the enduring legacy of humanitarian Henrietta Szold.
Best Comedy: Lucky Star
A daring World War II dramedy using sharp satire to challenge prejudice through an unexpected journey into the Resistance.
Best Short Film: Double Happiness
A heartfelt romantic dramedy celebrating late-in-life love between a Jewish widow and a Chinese-American restaurateur.
Weinberg Holocaust Film Series Awards
Best Holocaust Feature: The Tasters
A haunting and intimate drama spotlighting the quiet resistance of women forced into unimaginable roles during wartime.
Best Holocaust Documentary (Tie): Hold On To Your Music and My Underground Mother
Two deeply moving films exploring survival, identity, and generational memory through personal and historical lenses.
Additional Festival Honors
Human Rights Audience Award: Reading Lolita in Tehran
Best Directorial Debut: Parting The Waters
Building Bridges Award: The New Jew: Days of War
Audience Favorite Award: The Road Between Us
A gripping and emotional documentary chronicling a real-life rescue mission during the October 7 attacks, highlighting extraordinary courage and human connection.
Beyond the screen, BIJFF continues to make a meaningful impact. As a non-profit, all proceeds from the festival support important organizations, including the American Technion Society, Hadassah, JAFCO, and the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum.
Created and operated entirely by volunteers, the Festival has become a cornerstone cultural event in Southern Palm Beach County—bringing together audiences through film while supporting vital Jewish and Israeli causes.
“It has been a privilege to present a cultural experience that resonates so deeply within our community,” added Wendy Honig, Co-Founder. “Through cinema, we are not only telling stories—we are preserving history, fostering understanding, and building connections that endure.”
About the Boca International Jewish Film Festival
Founded by Wendy Honig, Lesley Rich, and Arleen Roberts, the Boca International Jewish Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating Jewish culture, heritage, and storytelling through film. With curated programming, filmmaker discussions, and year-round engagement, BIJFF fosters dialogue, education, and connection across generations. For more information, visit: http://www.JFilmBoca.org.
