Four short films, one moment in time
'Now is the time to amplify new Jewish Australian voices who are using the medium of cinema to capture both an individual and collective response to the events we are living through'
What does life in Australia look like post-October 7? Four short films, to be screened at this year’s Jewish International Film Festival, explore this very topic.
In April this year, it was announced that the 2025 Short Film Fund would be awarding the largest grant pool in the program’s history since its establishment in 2017.
In partnership with the Jewish Australian Screen Fund (JASF), a total of $30,000 was distributed to support new short narrative works centred around the theme “post-October 7 life in Australia”.
At the time, JASF director Jamie Bialkower said that the Fund was “inspired by the diversity of applications and the bold ways in which filmmakers have chosen to interpret the theme”.
“Now is the time to amplify new Jewish Australian voices who are using the medium of cinema to capture both an individual and collective response to the events we are living through,” he said.
According to Bialkower, the four films that were selected each have their own style and perspective, but “collectively, they are in conversation with each other and offer a really nuanced and thought-provoking look at this moment in time we are living through.”
The Promised Land, directed by Adam Dostalek, addresses the conflict head on, asking tough questions about sacrifice. Mezuzah Man, directed by Jacob Melamed, provides a warning about downplaying antisemitism. Crumbs, directed by inaugural winner Anita Lester, is a tender tribute to a Melbourne bakery that bears witness to many different encounters. And Shpatzir, directed by Benjamin Levitt and David McKinnar, takes the idea of a man trying to connect with his Judaism to a totally unexpected place. Besides Mezuzah Man, all will mark their world premieres at JIFF.
Bialkower told The AJN that it was important to strike a tonal balance with the films, acknowledging that the theme meant many submissions were on the heavier side. But, he said, it was refreshing to see some darkly funny and poignant takes on the theme as well.
“Ultimately, we wanted the winners to have total creative freedom to pursue their visions. I’m proud of what each of them have achieved and have been inspired by how they’ve used the medium of cinema to respond to extremely challenging circumstances,” Bialkower said. “The four films are the first in the entire Australian narrative screen sector to respond in any capacity to October 7. There has been no support from government or cultural funding bodies. Having these films exist is an acknowledgment in itself – we’ve captured this, on the record, with no agenda other than to have our voices heard.”
All directors will be in attendance for a Q&A session following the screenings at Classic Cinemas on Sunday 26 October and at Randwick Ritz on Thursday 30 October. For more information and to book tickets, visit jiff.com.au