Have you ever wondered how the diverse lineup of films comes together for the annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival? It’s actually a year-round journey that transforms hundreds of international submissions into a curated roster of almost 30 feature films and numerous shorts. Let’s peek behind the curtain for a behind-the-scenes look:
Phase 1: The Endless Search
The search for films never truly stops. Shortly after the theater lights go up on our annual Festival, the hunt for fresh films for the following year begins. All year long, artistic leadership scours global distributors, tracks international releases, and trades notes with other Jewish film festivals to catch early buzz on standout titles. At the same time, independent and emerging filmmakers submit their own work directly via FilmFreeway, an online platform for independent creators
Phase 2: Whittling Down the Mountain
With hundreds of submissions pouring in over 9 months, the Festival’s multi-tiered screening process kicks into gear to manage the deluge of cinematic choices. Approximately 150 feature films are submitted to the Executive Screening Committee for close evaluation, while approximately 100 shorts are reviewed by the Shorts Committee. After plenty of lively debate and discussion, the field is whittled down to about 50 film contestants—the films that move on to the next round.
Phase 3: The Regional Screening Committees
Once the finalists are locked in, the heavy lifting shifts to three regional screening committees—East, West and North Valley. Meeting weekly to screen films via private links and occasionally in person, these 13-member teams of Festival board members and community volunteers bring their passion for film and knowledge of local audiences to the process. They debate which themes, genres and storytelling voices will resonate with the Valley’s diverse communities. For Ilene Blau, longtime committee member and chair of the East Valley committee, the process is about more than selecting films. “I continue to learn more about the culture and history of the Jewish people through these stories, ”she says, adding that she looks forward to sharing those experiences with her community.
Phase 4: The Final Cut
When the day comes to finalize the Festival’s film lineup in early winter, it’s all business for the screening committees, according to Artistic Director Nyles Gradus. There may be some light schmoozing to go along with light bites, but this is a “seminal decision day” where “enthusiastic opinions” about film selections are very much encouraged.
The Result
Through collaborative scoring, spirited discussion, final deliberations—and maybe even a little arm wrestling—the committees and festival directors lock in the official roster. The result: a vibrant, diverse lineup of roughly 30 feature films and compelling shorts, bringing an international mix of dramas, comedies, and documentaries to the Valley’s big screens.