About Us
Philosophically guided by the Jewish notion of tikkun olam (תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם)—Hebrew for “repair of the world”—the Victoria International Jewish Film Festival (VIJFF) is a multicultural, non-religious program that builds connections among communities and cultures through cinema about Jewish and Jewish-adjacent themes and their intersections.
Films programmed by the VIJFF are curated by a committee representing a diversity of views on such Jewish and Jewish-adjacent themes as: inter-cultural outreach and community building; 2SLGBTQ+ identity and representation; human rights and immigrant and refugee issues; redressing colonialism; and the intersections of Judaism (orthodox, conservative, and reform) with other cultures and/or faiths.
Launched in 2015, the VIJFF is a project of the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria (JCCV), a charitable, non-religious organization, which since 1988 has been providing Jewish cultural and community programs in Victoria and across Vancouver Island.
Principles
Inter-Cultural Connections
To build connections among cultures and communities through the universality of cinema, by presenting films featuring Jewish and Jewish-adjacent themes that are less broadly available.
Diversity and its Intersections
To broaden awareness of cultural diversity and its intersections with Jewish culture, by programming films that transcend particular people, places, and politics by conveying universal themes, shared values, and common ground.
Cinema Aesthetics
To enhance an appreciation of film artistry and cinematic communication, by celebrating films, their creators, and their diversity of genres and viewpoints on complex subject matter.
People
Deborah Bricks
Director
“Being part of the VIJFF combines my background in event management with my passion for arts + culture, and my desire to share my Jewish heritage within the Jewish community and beyond. This is my ninth year with the festival (second as director), and it has been incredibly fulfilling to help it evolve and grow.”
Yaara Nouri
Film Selection Lead
“As an Israeli transplant in Victoria, I am constantly seeking opportunities to integrate with and support the Jewish community in the city. After being a part of Sherekea (the Annual Israeli Film Festival in Nairobi, Kenya), I strongly believe in culture and storytelling as a way to promote pluralistic and humanistic values. I’m excited to support the VIJFF’s unique lens into Jewish stories and creators.”
William Banks
Film Selection & Distributor Liasion
“I’ve been involved with the VIJFF for several years now and feel it is a vital arts outlet in
Victoria. Film has a wonderful ability to bring people together and every year the festival
explores different experiences and viewpoints. It is a great honour to be part of the
team that brings it to life.”
Jan Nolan
Film Selection
“I’ve always loved watching films–being transported to another time or place; exploring someone else’s perspective. The VIJFF enables us to bring Jewish experiences from around the world into our community. The festival makes an important contribution to the cultural life of Victoria as a whole.”
Yaron Finzi
Film Selection
“As a person straddling cultures, I find the VIJFF a fantastic expression of my own ties to Israel, to the Jewish people, and to international, humanistic values that are celebrated here in Victoria. The festival unites and touches diverse communities and individuals, and I’m proud to be a part of it. On a personal level, the festival reminds me that I’m a product of many influences, and rather than trying to make sense or amalgamate them, I can sit back and enjoy their narratives and plot twists — just like watching a good movie!”
Rachel Levee
Interactive Programming Lead
“I love film–the way it can transform us individually and as communities–and that the VIJFF exists to bring us together to share, learn, and celebrate the diversity of Jewish life and art is a gift for all of us. The VIJFF gives me a chance to connect with the Victoria community through the unique lens of the Jewish experience; as a Jew and as a new(ish) member of the Victoria community, I am so grateful that I get to contribute to this beautiful event.”
Mel Macara
Volunteer Coordinator
“Being involved with the VIJFF gives me another opportunity to connect with and support
the Jewish community through one of my main interests, film. The VIJFF is a wonderful
way to create an awareness of various aspects of Jewish life in other countries and see
the similarities and differences between Jewish life in other parts of the world.”
Larry Gontovnick
JCCV President
“I’m involved with the VIJFF because it is an important community outreach project of the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria. The VIJFF is a wonderful, highly anticipated event that brings Vancouver Island’s Jewish community together. I also enjoy supporting the creativity and enthusiasm of the organizers and the volunteers.”
Praise
“The VIJFF has established itself as a must attend event among movie lovers; and we could not be prouder to sponsor a festival that celebrates Jewish filmmakers and promotes cross-cultural connections.”
~ Hal Decter & Audra Poole – VictoriaRealEstatePros.com
“We’ve been fans of the film festival since the beginning and always enjoy the diverse selection of films. It’s been a great way to connect with ideas of the wider Jewish world, and be part of an audience with fellow Jews, not a common experience in Victoria.”
~ Janna Ginsberg Bleviss
“I am extremely grateful to the entire VIJFF team for the effort, expertise and discernment they bring to choosing and presenting the films we see at the VIJFF. The Festival gives people of all stripes the opportunity to come together, and share in the richness and diversity of the Jewish culture and heritage.”
~ Ruthi Wicks
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