- By Mabel Pais
FESTIVAL SEFARAD (festivalsefarad.com) debuts in New York City. It will be a citywide, month-long celebration of the Greater Sefarad world in the month of June 2025.
New York City is home to one of the most diverse and dynamic Jewish communities in the world. After the atrocities of October 7, the need for creating communal, intellectual, and cultural connections that bring all Jews together has never been greater. In response to this need, the American Sephardi Federation (americansephardi.org) is proudly debuting Festival Sefarad NYC — a citywide, month-long celebration of the Greater Sephardi world. Featuring a variety of events with something for everyone — from musical performances and book talks, to exhibitions, tours, and Shabbat dinners — Festival Sefarad NYC will be the first festival of its kind in the U.S.A. This Festival is inspired by and a homage to the CSUQ’s (csuq.org) Festival Séfarad de Montréal (festivalsefarad.ca), now in its 45th season.
In collaboration with over 40 leading communal institutions, Festival Sefarad NYC will unfold across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, a movable feast ensuring accessibility and welcoming participation from every corner of the Jewish community.
With the support of the UJA-Federation of New York (ujafedny.org), Festival Sefarad NYC is more than a festival. It is a celebration of who Sephardis are, and who Sephardis can be together.
The American Sephardi Federation (ASF – americansephardi.org)
The festival is curated and produced by the American Sephardi Federation, headquartered at the Center for Jewish History. ASF preserves, celebrates, and promotes the history, traditions, and experiences and rich mosaic of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews as an essential part of the Jewish story and a vital component of the American and global Jewish future.
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NYSJFF RETURNS FOR 27TH YEAR
- By Mabel Pais
At the heart of the debut of the Festival Sefarad NYC is the 27th NEW YORK SEPHARDIC JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL (NYSJFF – nysjff.com). This unique cinematic celebration showcases premiere film screenings, exclusive artist conversations, and the Pomegranate Awards ceremony, recognizing Sephardic excellence in the arts.
This year’s NYSJFF is part of the inaugural Festival Sefarad NYC, a citywide celebration of Jewish joy, culture, and resilience, uniting communities through art, music, film, and conversation.
The 27th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) returns to New York City bringing a powerful week-long celebration of film, music, community and the rich, diverse stories of the Greater Sephardic world. From June 8 to June 15, 2025, audiences will experience exclusive film premieres, artist conversations, special performances, and the prestigious ASF Pomegranate Awards.
The NYSJFF is dedicated to Ike, Molly and Steven Elias.
This year’s NYSJFF is part of the inaugural Festival Sefarad NYC, a citywide celebration of Jewish joy, resilience, and unity made possible by the UJA-Federation.
FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE
Throughout the Week, Experience Exclusive Screenings with Premieres from France, Israel, Morocco, Iran & Beyond and Live Musical Performances, Including Grammy Winners at the American Sephardi Federation, Center of Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011. (212) 294 8350.
Films include
World Premiere: YAEL
U.S. Premiere: Jinxed
U.S. Premiere: The Last Righteous Man (Baba Sali)
New York Premiere: Matchmaking 2
New York Premiere: The 90s – The Revelry (Hillula)
For Festival schedule and updates, visit nysjff.eventive.org/schedule?viewMode=extended.
OPENING NIGHT
WHAT: NYSJFF 2025
WHERE: El Museo del Barrio
1230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029
WHEN: June 8, 2025 @ 7pm
The Opening Night of the 27th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (nysjff.com) will take place in the stunning setting of El Museo del Barrio, New York’s leading Latino cultural institution located on 5th Avenue’s “Museum Mile.” It will be an unforgettable evening of joy, artistry, and community.
AWARDS
The Festival will present the 2025 ASF Pomegranate Awards to honor vibrant Sephardi voices for outstanding achievements:
Michel Boujenah
Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Stage and Screen
Fortuna
Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Preservation of Sephardic Culture
Roya Hakakian
Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature
Yael Naim
Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Music
The Pomegranates are sculpted with love by world-renowned, Baghdad-born artist Oded Halhamy.
PERFORMANCE
Following the award ceremony, enjoy the performance.
Fortuna with Trio Mediterraneo, known for their soulful reinterpretations of Sephardic and Mediterranean music, will take the stage in a moving performance celebrating cultural continuity.
The ensemble will be joined by special guest Frank London, Grammy-winning trumpeter and co-founder of The Klezmatics.
AND MORE!
And get ready for more surprises that will make this evening even more magical!
TICKETS & PASSES
Individual Tickets, Festival-Week Passes, All-Access Passes and VIP Passes are available for purchase.
There is a limited availability of VIP Passes. VIP Festival Pass holders will enjoy an exclusive reception before the awards ceremony, featuring a specially curated culinary experience, alongside honored guests. Learn more at nysjff.com/program-tickets and nysjff.com/passes.
VIP Festival Pass
The VIP Festival Pass gives access to All Events (including Opening & Closing Night Private Meet & Greet Receptions) & Screenings with VIP seating
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
All-Access Pass
The All-Access Festival Pass gives access to All Events & Screenings, including Opening & Closing Night (excluding Private Meet & Greet Receptions)
Festival Week Pass
The Festival Week Pass includes all Movie Screenings, Q&As, and Special Daytime Events
Opening Night Ticket
The Opening Night ticket includes Awards Ceremony & Performance
Closing Night Ticket
This ticket includes the Closing Night Ceremony & Performance by Enrico Macias
Space is limited; early reservations are highly recommended. Exclusive opportunities are also available on a first come, first served basis.
For updates and more information, visit nysjff.com.
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, visit nysff.com.
CLOSING NIGHT – JUNE 15, 2025
Closing Night Ceremony & Performance
WHAT: NYSJFF 2025
WHERE: El Museo del Barrio
1230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029
WHEN: June 15, 2025 7pm
The grand finale of the 27th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival presents an extraordinary live performance by legendary French-Algerian singer Enrico Macias. Known for his soulful voice and timeless songs that celebrate peace, exile, and identity, Macias returns to New York following last year’s sold-out appearance to once again captivate audiences with his music and message.
Set in the elegant theater at El Museo del Barrio, this special evening closes a week of powerful films and cultural reflection, honoring the rich tapestry of Sephardic Jewish life around the world. From North Africa to the Mediterranean and beyond, Enrico Macias embodies the spirit of Sephardic resilience and joy.
This concert marks the closing of the Film Festival, but Festival Sefarad NYC continues with more events and celebrations throughout June.
The New York Sephardi Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF – nysjff.com)
NYSJFF, also known as the Sephardic Film Festival, is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of culture, history, and storytelling. Since its inception in 1990, this festival has been a beacon of light, shining a cinematic spotlight on the diverse and rich tapestry of Sephardic Jewish communities.
With each passing year, the NYSJFF continues to captivate audiences with its curated selection of films, ranging from powerful narratives to evocative documentaries. Through these cinematic masterpieces, viewers are transported to distant lands, from Morocco to India, from Yemen to Kurdistan, and beyond, experiencing the trials, triumphs, and traditions of Sephardic Jews.
What sets this festival apart is its commitment to showcasing not only the grand narratives of history but also the intimate and personal stories that define individual experiences of Jewish identity. In an age where technology enables anyone with a camera to share their voice, the NYSJFF embraces this democratization of storytelling, encouraging filmmakers to explore and portray the multifaceted aspects of Jewish life with authenticity and creativity.
This year’s NYSJFF is part of the inaugural Festival Sefarad NYC, a citywide celebration of Jewish joy, culture, and resilience, uniting communities through art, music, film, and conversation.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
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