Gainesville’s Jewish Film Festival Opens with Powerful Eichmann Documentary

In a dimly lit theater, a small audience sat in silence, their eyes fixed on the screen as the chilling voice of Adolf Eichmann filled the room. The Nazi war criminal’s words, recorded decades ago, echoed through the speakers during the screening of The Devil’s Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes.

“This film is particularly meaningful,” said Ken Wald, a retired University of Florida professor and attendee of the screening. “My parents were Holocaust survivors, and Eichmann, of course, was the person who implemented the Final Solution.”

The screening marked the opening night of Gainesville’s 14th Annual Jewish Film Festival, which began Sunday at the Hippodrome State Theatre. Organized by the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies at UF, the festival features 13 films spanning a variety of genres, from rom-coms to documentaries, and runs through March 18.

A Thoughtful Selection of Films

Jack Kugelmass, a UF professor and curator of the festival, selects each year’s lineup with both intellectual depth and audience engagement in mind. He starts the process early, attending events like the Jerusalem Film Festival to find compelling films.

“This is a university-sponsored festival, so intellectual caliber trumps entertainment value,” Kugelmass explained. “At the same time, we want viewers to come back for more.”

Beyond genre diversity, Kugelmass ensures the festival highlights films from different regions, with this year’s lineup including stories from South America, Poland, and Israel.

Fostering Discussion and Community Engagement

Each screening is followed by a discussion session, allowing audience members to reflect on what they’ve seen. Stuart Cohn, a longtime festival attendee, values these conversations as much as the films themselves.

“Those discussions are incredibly fulfilling,” Cohn said. “There’s a lot of information we don’t always know, and these films help us understand critical issues.”

Before the screening, attendees gathered outside the Hippodrome State Theatre, sharing their excitement for the festival. Many stayed afterward to continue the conversation, deepening their connection to the films and the stories they told.

A Festival for Everyone

While rooted in Jewish culture and history, the festival appeals to a broad audience. Norman J.W. Goda, director of the Bud Shorstein Center and Braman Professor of Holocaust Studies, emphasized its universal themes.

“These films are by no means just for Jewish audiences,” Goda said. “Many deal with universal topics that resonate with people of all backgrounds.”

Wald echoed this sentiment. “There’s a sense of peoplehood in these films given my family history,” he said. “But this film, in particular, is compelling to anyone, regardless of background.”

Bringing Important Stories to Gainesville

For Goda, the festival is a highlight of the academic year. “Jewish film festivals are typically in big cities,” he noted. “So to have one of this caliber in Gainesville is special.”

Cohn believes the festival plays a crucial role in bringing important films—especially documentaries about Israel, the Middle East, and the Holocaust—to the local community.

“This documentary on Eichmann—I’ve never seen anything like it,” Cohn said. “You don’t find this in first-run theaters or on TV. The festival provides an important service.”

Beyond educating the present audience, Cohn sees the festival as essential for future generations.

“It’s especially important for younger people,” he said. “Many don’t engage with the news the way older generations did. These films provide a way to keep history alive.”

With a mix of compelling stories, intellectual discussion, and community engagement, Gainesville’s Jewish Film Festival continues to make an impact—one film at a time.