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
Co-Director (strategy, logistics, & marketing)
“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 seventh year with the festival (third as co-director), and it has been incredibly fulfilling to help it evolve and grow.”
Farley Cates
Co-Director (film selection, programming, & outreach)
“I’m actively involved with arts and cultural communities in the greater Victoria area. As a film buff with a background of involvement with film festivals in Winnipeg, the VIJFF has provided me with a wonderful outlet. Reviewing and advising the selections of Jewish-themed films from around the world is a very culturally rewarding experience.”
Larry Gontovnick
“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.”
April Nowell
“I’m Ashkenazi and originally from Montreal. I’ve lived in Victoria for a long time but have only recently become more involved in the local Jewish community. I love films and have always attended this festival whenever I could. Being a part of the jury this year is both a privilege and a great joy!”
Andy Muchin
“I’m involved with the VIJFF to help to present an important aspect of Jewish culture – new movies from around the world – to the Greater Victoria Jewish community and beyond. I’m convinced that enjoying, learning from, and sharing Jewish culture benefits each of us and builds community.”
William Banks
“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.”
Estelle Paget
“Movies take us into other worlds, times, places and cultures. We get ‘to know’ people we
might otherwise never meet and learn about issues and perspectives we might otherwise
never consider. All this through visuals and sounds! The VIJFF models my inter-cultural
outreach and community-building values. It is also a fun opportunity to work with others
focused on similar goals.”
Yaara Nouri
“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.”
Mel Macara
“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.”
Howard Kushner
“I enjoy watching films, sitting in a theatre with other people, experiencing an event that
is both individual and communal. Films offer an opportunity to both see the world from a
different perspective and to reflect on who we are and who we want to be (both
individually and as a community). Through the VIJFF, Jewish culture and life is presented
to the Victoria Jewish community and the community at large.”
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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