Victoria International Jewish Film Festival
Captivating Cultural Cinema
7 Incredible Film Events!
Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street
October 18-23, 2025
more info!
11th Annual VIJFF
The VIJFF, a non-political/a-religious festival of Jewish (-adjacent) cinematic culture, will be held at the Vic Theatre from October 18th to 23rd. The VIJFF’s mix of evening & matinée film events—many with live music, special guests, and nosh — are free of charge.
Highlights at this year’s festival are: a special Sunday afternoon Community Conversation, a very special appearance by Jamie Elman from Canada’s comedy duo YidLife Crisis, a diverse Shorts Program with films from Uganda and Cuba (plus more), behind-the-scenes interviews on our new blog, and movies from three Canadian filmmakers!
Police and private security services have been confirmed at the Vic Theatre for the duration of the festival.
See you at the movies!
Behind-the-Scenes Interviews
Once Upon My Mother
Watch The Trailer
Date: Saturday, October 18
Doors/Music: 7:00pm Eryn Sharpe Trio
Film: 7:45pm
Ages: 19+
A big-hearted, true story of the inspiring life trajectory of Roland, the youngest son of a Franco-Moroccan Jewish mother. An epic with motherly influences, uniquely endearing & infuriating, yet universal in being so.
Sabbath Queen
Watch The Trailer
Date: Sunday, October 19
Film: 12:45pm
Conversation: 2:30pm Dublin Tendre & Sandi DuBowski
Ages: Rated PG
Filmed over 21 years, Sabbath Queen follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie who rejects his destiny to be an Orthodox rabbi and becomes a drag-queen rebel, and the founder of Lab/Shul: an experimental congregation.
Followed by a special performance by Victoria’s drag king extraordinaire, Dublin Tendre!
SwedishKayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm
Watch The Trailer
Date: Sunday, October 19
Doors/Music: 4:15pm Avram McCagherty Trio
Film: 5:00pm
Ages: 19+
In Stockholm, YidLife Crisis, the Canadian comedy duo of Eli Batalion & Jamie Elman, explore the incongruous quirky charm of Yiddish being an official language in Sweden and of the Jewish zeitgeist there!
Featuring a very special appearance by Jamie Elman!
Shorts Program
Date: Monday, October 20
Doors/Music: 6:30pm Dana Sipos Trio
Film: 7:15pm
Ages: 19+
With films from Canada, Cuba, France, Uganda, and USA, the films together show the spectrum of Jewish life traditions from birth through growth to remembrance.
Featuring an enlightening introduction from Yaara Nouri about the Jewish communities in Africa.
Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara
Watch The Trailer
Date: Tuesday, October 21
Doors/Music: 6:30pm Elliot Freedman w/ Tara Lukas
Film: 7:15pm
Ages: 19+
In 1858 Italy, a young Jewish boy is secretly baptized and forcible taken from his home to be raised as a Catholic. His parents enlist the community to pressure the Vatican to return him home. Based on a true story on a dark chapter of tyranny by the Catholic Church.
Matinée Screening
The Property
Watch The Trailer
Date: Wednesday, October 22
Doors: 1:30pm
Film: 2:00pm
Ages: 19+
A grieving mother (played by comedy veteran Rivka Michaeli) travels back to Poland with her granddaughter to reclaim a family flat that was lost during the Holocaust. The journey, already emotional, takes on new meanings.
Bad Shabbos
Watch The Trailer
Date: Thursday, October 23
Doors/Music: 6:30pm Metro Quintet
Film: 7:15pm
Ages: 19+
A look-who’s-coming-to-dinner comedy of biblical proportions centred on the derailment, by an accidental death, of the Shabbat dinner that was to introduce David’s Jewish family to his fiancé Meg’s devoutly Catholic parents.
Special Events
Community Conversation
Venue: Local cafe near the Vic Theatre
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 3:15pm to 4:45pm
Talk amongst yourselves. Following the film Sabbath Queen, join us for the first ever Community Conversation, hosted by drag king extraordinaire Dublin Tendre and VIJFF facilitators. Chat and commune with fellow filmgoers, exploring the film’s themes, impact, and insights. Refreshments provided!
On-Stage w/ Jamie Elman
Venue: Vic Theatre
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Following the film Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm, experience a lively conversation (& some kibitzing) with Jamie Elman! Along with Eli Batalion, Jamie co-created the award-winning Yiddish web series YidLife Crisis. As self-proclaimed ‘Canadian Comedy Peacekeepers’, YidLife performs in North America and around the world!
INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR
FILM COMPETITION
Emerging filmmaker? Big story? Just 60 seconds? Step into the spotlight with the VIJFF Shorts Competition.
The VIJFF Shorts Competition is a 60 second short film contest that offers aspiring filmmakers a shot at being screened live at the 2025 Victoria International Jewish Film Festival!
You SHouldn’t
dream your film.
You should make it.
— Steven Spielberg
Principles
01
INTER-CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
02
DIVERSITY AND ITS INTERSECTIONS
03
CINEMA AESTHETICS
Thanks!
INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR
FILM COMPETITION
Emerging filmmaker? Big story? Just 60 seconds? Step into the spotlight with the VIJFF Shorts Competition.
The VIJFF Shorts Competition is a 60 second short film contest that offers aspiring filmmakers a shot at being screened live at the 2025 Victoria International Jewish Film Festival!
You SHouldn’t
dream your film.
You should make it.
— Steven Spielberg
Donate to the VIJFF!
Donations support the VIJFF beyond the few grants it receives. Donors of $36 or more receive a charitable tax receipt. VIJFF movie lovers our, super-appreciated donors of $180 or more, receive special benefits.
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