While most of us spend our evenings slumped on the couch in our comfiest sweatpants, galivanting across town with friends, or putting rowdy kids to bed, others are watching movies, and with a purpose. Over the past few months, a group of about 9-10 film enthusiasts have been convening to adamantly debate, analyze, and discuss their opinions over what will soon become the Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s 2025 Denver Jewish Film Festival’s (DJFF) well-rounded lineup of not-to-miss features.
The Elaine Wolf Theatre buzzing with energy for the Denver Film Festival!
“I’ve always been a fan of films; it’s a great passion of mine, especially independent ones,” shares film selection committee member, Mark Goldstein, who’s been coming to JCC Denver for 65 years. Prior to retiring, Mark Goldstein made TV commercials in his CEO role at Scott’s Liquid Gold/Noeteric Cosmetics and has attended many film festivals around the country, reflecting his passion for the craft. Each year, Mark Goldstein and other committee members power through about 80-90 films that have been vetted by a group of pre-screeners, and which explore the Jewish experience in some capacity.
Every 2-3 weeks, they’ll meet to swap perspectives and analyze films using a grading system. This helps them categorize what gets scratched, remains on standby, or moves onwards. With so many seasoned aficionados in the room, you can imagine how intense, invigorating, and positively raucous those get-togethers can be.
“All the selection committee members have a great dedication and passion, and really care, though they may not necessarily agree,” Mark Goldstein comments on the respectful debates. “Everyone really commits to the process.” Part of their work also lies in representing a variety of genres, including entertaining comedies, documentaries, narrative and Holocaust films. “This year, we’re looking at films related to October 7, because I think it’s an important topic in Jewish culture,” he adds. “I personally like the Israeli films because [they] do a really good job of uniquely presenting ideas and sharing them with [an] American [audience].”
Excitement fills the lobby as guests await the show’s start!
When I asked about the success of the committee, Mark Goldstein is quick to dismiss any personal credit, insisting, “it’s been Mark Boscoe’s great leadership; he’s been the inspiration for all of us.” Like Goldstein, Mark Boscoe is a long time Mizel Arts and Culture Center supporter and the longest standing film selection committee member of 13 years. As the committee chair, Mark Boscoe facilitates discussions, and drives the entire selection process in tandem with Mizel Arts and Culture Center Program Director, Tim Campbell. Films can be sourced from any country and in the past have included places like Latin America, France, Poland, England, and Israel. Yet special to DJFF is the inclusion of student productions that are 30-minutes or less films, aptly named “shorts.”
“Having shorts in a film festival has a cultural compression flavor [quick, intense glimpse of different cultures and ideas.],” remarks Boscoe, “something our general audience doesn’t typically get to see, but is a genre that has value, importance, and interest.” The 2025 Film festival will run from January 23- February 2. “We’ve really put together a quality festival that’s grown in the past 13 years as well as increased in quality,” adds Boscoe. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement revealing the 2025 film lineup!
