by FilmInk Staff
Returning to screens from 19 October – 21 December, the Jewish International Film Festival will reveal its 2025 program at special screenings of Stan Original Surviving Malka Leifer, co-presented by the Australian Jewish News. Held on Thursday 18 September at Ritz Cinemas in Sydney and on Sunday 21 September at Classic Cinemas in Melbourne, tickets are on sale now for this powerful Australian true-crime documentary, with post-film panel discussions in both cities.
The launch screenings will give audiences the first look at the Festival’s 50 new films. The program showcases a rich and diverse slate exploring the Jewish experience and its contributions to Australia’s multicultural landscape. The full JIFF 2025 program will go on sale Thursday 18 September.
From director Adam Kamien (The Speedway Murders), Surviving Malka Leifer chronicles a decade long battle for justice that spanned continents. In 2008, allegations arose against Malka Leifer, headmistress of a Melbourne ultra Orthodox girls’ school, for grievous crimes committed against three sisters in her care – Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper. Before police investigations could begin, Leifer fled overseas with the school’s assistance. This triggered an extraordinary extradition fight and a wider reckoning on sexual abuse and institutional silence. Filmed over five years, the documentary combines intimate testimony from the sisters with insights from politicians, journalists and advocates, creating a deeply human portrait of courage in the face of immense adversity.
“Surviving Malka Leifer is an extraordinary work of investigative filmmaking and a testament to resilience,” said Eddie Tamir, Jewish International Film Festival Artistic Director. “It’s a privilege to launch our 2025 Festival with a film that so powerfully embodies the values of truth, accountability and community strength; and to offer audiences the first glimpse of an outstanding program of Jewish cinema from around the world.”
EVENT DETAILS:
Surviving Malka Leifer – Program Launch Screening & Panel Discussion
Thursday 18 September – Ritz Cinemas, Randwick – 7:00pm
Sunday 21 September – Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick – 4:00pm
JIFF 2025 DATES & VENUES:
MELBOURNE
Classic Cinemas, Elsternwick – Sun 19 Oct – Wed 26 Nov
Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn – Mon 20 Oct – Tue 25 Nov
Cameo Cinemas, Belgrave – Thu 30 Oct – Sun 2 Nov
SYDNEY
Ritz Cinemas, Randwick – Mon 20 Oct – Wed 26 Nov
Roseville Cinemas, Roseville – Thu 30 Oct – Wed 12 Nov
HOBART
State Cinema, North Hobart – Thu 30 Oct – Sun 9 Nov
BRISBANE
Angelika Cinemas, Woolloongabba – Thu 30 Oct – Sun 9 Nov
CANBERRA
Dendy Canberra, Canberra Central – Sat 15 Nov – Sun 16 Nov
PERTH
Luna Leederville, Leederville – Thu 4 Dec – Sun 21 Dec
Stay up to date with JIFF:
Website: www.jiff.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JewishIFF
X: www.twitter.com/jewishiff
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jiff_oz
