We sat down with new committee member, Sue Koritz to ask about her involvement with the Jewish Film Festival Committee. 

JFF: Sue, last year was your first year on the Jewish Film Festival Committee. This year you are on the Screening Committee. What’s been your biggest takeaway serving in this role? 

Sue: We have watched so many good films – and some not so good!  Because we want to expand our audience each year, it’s a challenge to select the best films that will appeal to the most people. 

JFF: What do you think the Jewish Film Festival provides to our larger community and what’s the biggest reason you would give to others to attend? 

Sue: Our Jewish Film Festival is an opportunity to see films with a Jewish relevance that are entertaining, educational and sometimes provocative.  We are providing a real service to the community because most of these films would not otherwise be available to our audiences. 

JFF: We’ve been watching some films centered on the experiences of those directly affected by October 7th. How has watching these documentaries influenced your processing of that terrible event? 

Sue: They have given me a deeper insight into the real-time personal experiences and aftermath of October 7.  The events and news reports of late have glossed over the horror and brutality of the Hamas attack and hostage taking, and these movies are a real wake-up call. 

JFF: Looking back to festival 2023, did you have a favorite film, or was there a favorite change made, like our new location at B&B, or extending the festival to two weeks, that you think improved the festival overall? 

Sue: Both the new location and the extended format were positive changes and largely responsible for our success last year.  The opening night reception set the tone for the rest of the festival, and the Gene Wilder film was a huge draw. 

JFF: The screening committee has watched 56 films so far. That’s easily over 100 hours of film viewing! We won’t solidify the JFF 2025 lineup until close to the end of this year, but could you share one title that you predict could make a big splash this coming March/April? 

Sue: I’ll give you two! 999: The Forgotten Girls is a very moving, important and untold story with vivid images. The Stronghold is a compelling story of the Yom Kippur war with a wonderful cast.  

JFF: Thanks so much for your time, Sue! And thank you for your service to the JFF Committee!