The

GPJFF

films over the years

The history of our festival

Founded in 1996, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival (GPJFF) has showcased powerful Jewish and Israeli cinema for decades. Since 2015, we have preserved a complete record of the films shown at the festival—explore that history here.

Seven Blessings (Speaker: Eleanor Sela)
Presented in 2024
Shabbos Goy
Presented in 2021
Shadow Country
Presented in 2021
Shadow of the Day
Presented in 2024
Shalom Taiwan
Presented in 2022
Shampoo Summit
Presented in 2021
Shared Legacies (25th Anniversary Event)
Presented in 2021
Shari & Lamb Chop
2023
Presented in 2025
This delightful documentary is about children’s television star and ventriloquist Shari Lewis and her beloved sock puppets Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy and Charlie Horse. Lewis was a pioneer of children’s television who took her responsibility quite seriously to create a safe and non-judgmental space for kids. Winner of 13 Emmy Awards and a Peabody, Shari Lewis was also a talented singer, dancer and magician who wrote over 60 children’s books. This warm and nostalgic film shares her life story and celebrates her lasting contribution to American children’s entertainment.
Shelter
Presented in 2018
Shepherd: Story of a Jewish Dog
Presented in 2020
Shine (1996)
Presented in 2019
Shoelaces
Presented in 2019
Shooting Life
Presented in 2020
Shtetlers
Presented in 2023
Simon & Theodore
Presented in 2019
Six Minutes to Midnight
Presented in 2021
Sky Raiders
Presented in 2021
Sobibor
Presented in 2020
Soda
2024
Presented in 2025
Nominated for 3 Israeli Academy Awards, this wonderful historical drama follows a group of former Resistance fighters and young Holocaust survivors who settle as a community in 1950s Israel. The group works at the local soda bottling plant. Their leader – played by the enigmatic Lior Raz (Fauda) – is a married man who is intrigued by the beautiful neighbor (Rotem Sela) who moves in next door – a woman rumored to have been a Kapo during the Holocaust. Directed by Erez Tadmor and loosely based on his Partisan grandfather. Special Opening Event in Scottsdale at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The film will be followed by a talkback with the costars and the director. In Peoria the film will be preceded by the short I LOVE YOU MORE.
Song of Ascent
2024
Presented in 2025
Matisyahu, the famous Jewish reggae inspired singer/songwriter, visits Israel in the aftermath of October 7, performing concerts throughout the country to provide support and show unity. This compelling documentary follows Matisyahu as he meets with survivors of the massacre, as well as army officers who were on-site and family members of the victims. The film also looks at the extreme antisemitism erupting after October 7, resulting in the cancellation of many of his concerts in the U.S. and Europe. Reactions to his concerts demonstrate that music can have a powerful effect on trauma.