The Long Beach Jewish Film & Arts Festival returns November 12–19 with six films exploring Jewish experiences across generations and continents, along with a red-carpet premiere, receptions, a free Family Fun Day, a live concert by Mostly Kosher and a pickle-making workshop. The festival takes place at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, home of the Alpert Jewish Community Center (Alpert JCC).
Premiere Night on Thursday, November 12 begins with a 6 p.m. red-carpet reception featuring live music, a gourmet popcorn and candy bar, drinks and desserts. At 7 p.m., the festival opens with “Once Upon My Mother,” a French (English subtitles) comedy-drama about a mother’s determination to help her son overcome physical and social barriers.
On Saturday, November 14, a 6 p.m. cocktail reception with light refreshments the English-language short film will be followed by “Beshert” at 7 p.m., followed by “Hola Chau” at 7:20 p.m. (Spanish/Hebrew/English subtitles). The feature is about reuniting an Argentine Jewish family in Israel after a decade apart.
Sunday, November 15 brings film, family activities and music. “Soda,” a Hebrew-language (English subtitles) drama about a seamstress whose past as a resistance fighter stirs tensions in her community, screens at 1 p.m. A reception follows the film. Free Family Fun Day begins at 2 p.m. on the playground, with bounce houses, snacks and sensory activities. At 4 p.m., the acclaimed klezmer-rock band Mostly Kosher performs live, also with dancing and snacks. A Los Angeles-based local favorite, Mostly Kosher has performed at Disneyland, the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and the Skirball Cultural Center.
The festival continues Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. with “Jerusalem ’67,” an English-language historical war drama following three lives affected by the 1967 Six-Day War.
Closing night on Thursday, November 19 begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring a pickle-making workshop, light refreshments and drinks, followed at 7 p.m. by “We Met at Grossinger’s,” a documentary about the storied Catskills resort.
Individual film admissions are $20 ($14 for Alpert JCC members), except Premiere Night at $25 ($18 for members). The Mostly Kosher concert is $36 ($25 for members; $10 for children), and Family Fun Day is free. College students are admitted free with valid ID. A Festival Pass costs $136 ($95 for Alpert JCC members) and includes all festival events, the concert, Family Fun Day, unlimited drinks and refreshments at receptions, preferred seating and skip-the-line VIP film access. Receptions are included with applicable film tickets; drinks are included for sponsors and passholders and otherwise available for purchase.
For festival details and tickets, visit https://www.jewishlongbeach.org/lbjff. All film screenings are in the Lipeles Auditorium unless otherwise stated.
Official Festival Selection
Thursday, November 12, 7 p.m. — Once Upon My Mother (2025)
Drama/Comedy | French with English subtitles
A mother’s unwavering devotion helps her son with a clubfoot overcome physical challenges and social barriers. (IMDb) Premiere reception at 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m. — Beshert (2025)
Drama/Short Film | English
An unlikely friendship between a grumpy old man in a Leeds care home and a reluctant bar mitzvah boy. (IMDb) Cocktail reception at 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 7:20 p.m. — hola chau (2025)
Drama/Comedy | Spanish and Hebrew with English subtitles
A dysfunctional Argentine Jewish family reunites in Israel after 10 years apart. (IMDb) Screens following “Beshert.”
Sunday, November 15, 1 p.m. — Soda (2024)
Drama | Hebrew with English subtitles
A seamstress’s past as a resistance fighter leads to rising community tensions. (IMDb) Reception immediately following the film.
Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m. — Jerusalem ’67 (2026)
Drama/History/War | English
Tales of three lives in Jerusalem impacted by the Six-Day War in 1967. (IMDb)
Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m. — We Met At Grossinger’s (2025)
Documentary | English
A nostalgic exploration of the Grossinger’s Resort in the Catskills. (IMDb) Closing reception and pickle-making workshop at 6 p.m.
Special Events
- Thursday, November 12, 6 p.m. — Premiere Night red carpet, live music, gourmet popcorn and candy bar, drinks and desserts.
- Saturday, November 14, 6 p.m. — Cocktail reception with light refreshments.
- Sunday, November 15, immediately after the 1 p.m. screening — Reception for “Soda.”
- Sunday, November 15, 2 p.m. — Free Family Fun Day with bounce houses, snacks and sensory activities.
- Sunday, November 15, 4 p.m. — Mostly Kosher live klezmer-rock concert with dancing and snacks.
- Thursday, November 19, 6 p.m. — Closing reception and pickle-making workshop.
All festival events take place at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA 90815. Tickets and further information: https://www.jewishlongbeach.org/lbjff.
Jewish Long Beach serves the Jewish and broader communities through strategic grant-making, development of emerging leaders, advocacy, and management of the community’s philanthropic funds. The Alpert Jewish Community Center, part of Jewish Long Beach and the focal point of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus, seeks to inspire community by improving lives and building bridges of understanding and inclusion.