The Art Center in Grand Junction has kicked off its second annual Jewish Film Festival, an event that’s quickly becoming a key part of the local cultural scene. This year’s festival, founded by Dalida Sassoon Bollig, Patti Kurtzman, and Gayle Gerson, is bringing Jewish art, history, and culture to the western slope like never before. With a tripled attendance, the festival’s expanded scope reflects the growing interest in exploring Jewish heritage through film.
A Growing Tradition Celebrating Jewish Culture
The festival’s inaugural edition in 2024 was a resounding success, with its main goal being to raise funds for Jewish summer camps and other cultural experiences. This year, the event has moved to a larger venue, giving the public a chance to participate in a celebration of Jewish cinema and culture. “Last year went really well. We met our fundraising goals, and this year, we wanted to take it up a notch,” said Bollig, co-founder of the event.
She mentioned that the increased attendance this year—three times the size of the previous year’s crowd—shows that the community is hungry for these cultural experiences. “It’s amazing to see the response from the community,” she added. “We’re excited to have a larger audience and to share these films that touch on themes we can all relate to.”
A Look at This Year’s Films: A Blend of Tradition and Modernism
The highlight of the festival is its screenings of two films that explore Jewish identity, culture, and the tension between tradition and modernity. This year, attendees were treated to No Name Restaurant and SHTTL. Both films tackle deep, thought-provoking themes about Jewish identity and how it fits into the modern world.
“These films will offer a very artistic take on cinema,” Bollig explained. “They explore themes of identity, culture, and tradition. The questions they raise are still very relevant today, especially as we see shifts in how people relate to their heritage and community.”
The festival’s organizers are proud to showcase these films, which present the complexity of Jewish life through cinematic artistry. Bollig emphasized how important it is to offer this kind of cultural insight to a community that might not have regular access to Jewish cinema.
Looking Ahead: A New Cultural Tradition
With the success of this year’s event, the festival’s founders are eager to continue growing it in the future. Bollig said that they aim to make the festival a beloved tradition that will bring together people of all backgrounds. “We want this to be something that continues for years to come,” she said. “We’ll be back in 2026 for sure.”
The festival has proven that cultural events like this are not only essential for raising awareness about Jewish heritage but also for uniting the community. By offering a space for people to experience Jewish culture, Bollig, Kurtzman, and Gerson hope to spark greater understanding and appreciation for this rich history.
Key Stats from the Grand Junction Jewish Film Festival:
- Attendance this year has tripled compared to last year
- Films featured: No Name Restaurant and SHTTL
- Theme: Jewish identity, tradition, and modernism
- Date of screenings: Saturday, February 15 at 5:30 pm and Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 pm
| Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Film Screening: No Name Restaurant | Saturday, Feb 15, 5:30 pm | Art Center, Grand Junction |
| Film Screening: SHTTL | Sunday, Feb 16, 2:00 pm | Art Center, Grand Junction |
A Cultural Event to Remember
The second annual Grand Junction Jewish Film Festival has certainly left its mark on the community. The event’s success underscores the growing interest in cultural events that bring people together through shared experiences. Bollig, Kurtzman, and Gerson have made it clear that this is just the beginning, and the future looks bright for the festival as it continues to educate and entertain the public about Jewish art and culture.
