The 2009 Boston Jewish Film Festival, running November 4th to the 15th, presents the year’s most innovative films on Jewish themes. Screenings are accentuated by panel discussions, visits by directors, actors, and subjects, and musical events.  Boston Jewish explores what it means to be Jewish–in the United States, Israel, and around the world–by screening international and American independent films which highlight the Jewish experience, deal with themes of Jewish culture, heritage, and history, or are of particular interest to the Jewish community.

This year’s theme explores the subject of home; what it means and how it is defined by different people and perspectives. The festival also presents many live events such as concerts, dance performances, and new scores to silent films. To see what other films, events and themes Boston Jewish Film Festival has to offer, check out the schedule page.

Other festivals starting this week include:

Arizona Underground Film Festival (Nov 2-7)

Rivers’ Edge International Film Festival (Nov 5-8)

Rockport Film Festival (Nov 5-8)

Dallas Video Festival (Nov 5-8)

Independents’ Film Festival (Nov 5-14)

San Francisco Latino Film Festival (Nov 5-25)

South Alabama Film Festival (Nov 6-8)

Festivals starting next week include:

Austin Asian American Film Festival (Nov 12-15): The festival is committed to celebrating the best in independent Asian cinema from across the globe. For five years, AAAFF has highlighted the complexity and vitality of Asian and Asian-American communities through cutting-edge narrative, documentary and experimental films. The festival hopes to use its place in the community to not only educate the public about other cultures, but environmental and global issues as well.

Red Rock Film Festival (Nov 12-15): Determined to give all films a chance at exposure, this Utah festival finds a place in the schedule for all submissions.  Red Rock encourages the production of media in both the independent and professional market that portray humanity in a positive light. The festival’s demographic–consisting mainly of empty-nesters, college students, and seniors–is well-educated and open to new experiences and productive discussion.

Lone Star International Film Festival (Nov 11-15)

Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (Nov 11-15)

Cinema Arts Festival Houston (Nov 11-15)