Attendance records were again smashed by the Denver Jewish Film Festival (DJFF), Feb. 23-March 4. The event attracted 6,485 participants over its 10-day run.
The program included nine sold out screenings, seven special events (including receptions, parties, and post-film discussions with filmmakers), and 22 films specifically selected for Denver area audiences.
Due to the continued construction on the Elaine Wolf Theatre, the DJFF partnered with The Denver Film Society (DFS) who welcomed the DJFF into the DFS venue, the Denver Film Center/Colfax (DFCC).
Despite the last minute displacement, the festivals passionate patrons found their way to the new venue, where they discovered many amenities to enjoy.
Film goers at the DJFF selected Audience Choice Awards for Best Narrative and Best Documentary by rating films and turning in ballots each night.
The winner of the Best Narrative Film was the Russian historical drama, I Shall Remember. Based upon the true story of two teenage boys whose lives become unexpectedly and sometimes uncomfortably entwined when the Nazis invade their small seaside village in 1942, this film was previously selected as Best Narrative Feature at the Fargo Film Festival.
Nickys Family was selected as the Best Documentary Film and features Sir Nicholas Winton, described by many as Englands Schindler. Winton organized the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of WW II.
He did not speak of these events to anyone until his wife discovered a suitcase full of details documents in their attic 50 years later. His actions have inspired thousands to invest themselves in positive actions around the world.
This moving documentary has collected awards nearly everywhere it has screened, including Best Documentary at the Montreal World Film Festival, Audience Award Winner at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
