PORTLAND, Maine — The Maine Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) comes from humble beginnings. It started in 1998 in the community hall of a synagogue in South Portland, a venue that was not outfitted with plush reclining seats and individual cup holders. The program consisted of six videos shown on a TV set.
This year, in a weird kind of way, the MJFF has gone back to its TV roots.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it can’t accommodate hundreds of patrons in a variety of theaters. So, it’s gone virtual—which means that viewers will watch the movies on a small screen, albeit at home rather than in a community hall.
So, what is the festival offering this year, and how can you see the films?
Watch our interview with MJFF executive director Barbara Merson to find out.