Boulder Jewish Film Festival 2026: Films, dates and tickets

From the Catskills comedy scene that helped shape American entertainment to the resilience of women resisting political oppression in Iran, the Boulder Jewish Film Festival is casting a wide net for its 14th annual edition.

Running Oct. 25-Nov. 1 at the Dairy Arts Center, the eight-day festival features 21 scheduled screenings. This year’s programming explores the influence of Jewish artists on popular culture, the strength of parental devotion, moral courage and female empowerment.

Several films revisit unexpected corners of entertainment history. “You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution” traces the early careers of Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy and Martin Short, while “We Met at Grossinger’s” explores the legendary Catskills resort that helped nurture generations of Jewish comedians.

Other selections tackle more difficult historical and contemporary subjects. “The Sea” follows a young Palestinian boy on a dangerous journey, “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” documents an Israeli father’s efforts to save his family during the Oct. 7 attacks and “Reading Lolita in Tehran” examines women’s resistance to repression through literature.

The festival opens Sunday, Oct. 25, with “Lucky Star,” a French wartime comedy selected as the community centerpiece by the festival’s advisory committee. Director and producer Abby Ginzberg is among this year’s featured guests, accompanying screenings of “Lucky Star” and her documentary “Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold.”

Unlike most film festivals, the Boulder Jewish Film Festival builds conversation into every screening, inviting audiences to discuss the stories and their implications after the credits roll. Those discussions have become a defining part of the festival since its founding.

How to attend the 2026 Boulder Jewish Film Festival

All screenings take place at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. in Boulder, from Sunday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Tickets are on sale now for $18 per screening, plus a 15% service fee charged by the Dairy Arts Center, bringing the total to $20.70 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased through the Dairy Arts Center website, in person at the Hartman Box Office or by calling 303-444-7328.

Attendees should arrive at least 10 minutes before their screening. Films begin promptly at their advertised start times, and seats may be released to waitlisted guests if ticket holders are not seated when a program begins. Parking at the Dairy Arts Center is free, and assistive listening systems are available. Boulder JCC security protocols will be in effect throughout the festival

Complete Boulder Jewish Film Festival 2026 schedule

The searchable calendar below includes every scheduled screening from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1. Select a date to browse the films, or search by title, subject or filmmaker. Each listing includes its screening time, runtime and any announced special guests.