An uplifting, deeply human evening of short films exploring the humour, heartbreak and everyday richness of British Jewish life. Commissioned by UK Jewish Film, this handpicked collection blends documentary, drama, poetry and personal storytelling into one beautifully varied programme. Each film is under 15 minutes, but together they capture a world: from martial arts as an act of resistance to the tenderness of unlikely friendships, from forgotten burial grounds to art studios alive with imagination. You’ll meet East End elders on the cusp of big life changes, Scouse women whose bond has lasted decades, tattooists redefining tradition, grieving relatives building connection, and young artists shaping the future.
Some films will make you laugh, others might floor you, but all of them celebrate identity, resilience, memory and belonging. It’s a rare chance to see British Jewish stories told with such nuance, pride and heart.
- Fighting Back, Dir. Sally Patterson | UK, 2025 | 5 mins | English Miriam, an Orthodox Jewish martial artist, fights to reclaim her confidence, resist rising antisemitism, and shatter expectations. A story of identity, courage and strength.
- Leaving Home Dir. Roland Denning | UK, 2025 | 5 mins | English Eighty-nine-year-old Denis Davis is about as British as any man could be. Born in the Jewish East End, he has lived in London pretty much all of his life. So why is he now leaving his beautiful house in Bushey, and starting all over again in a new country?
- Liorah Dirs. Marcos Wolodarsky, Michelle Wolodarsky | UK, 2025 | 5 mins | English Poetic and rhythmic, Liorah portrays rising art-world star, Liorah Tchiprout. She draws from her Jewish
- Ink Dir. Priya Basra | UK, 2025 | 5 mins | English A British-Jewish tattooist challenges stereotypes of Judaism and identity, using ink to reclaim his faith and redefine tradition on skin once marked by taboo.
- Primordial Chicken Soup Dirs. Barney Pell Scholes, Daisy Abboudi | UK, 2025 | 5 mins | English Friendship that lasts a lifetime — Primordial Chicken Soup explores the deep connection formed between eight Scouse Jewish women who first met over fifty-five years ago.
- The Innocents Dir. Jonny Weinberg | 7 mins | UK, 2025 | English In two English cities with a shared, bloody history, the Jewish communities push for a more honest relationship with the past.
- To Fly or Float Dir. Charlotte Peters | 15 mins | UK, 2025 | English Birmingham, 1979. An orphaned girl and her estranged uncle try to navigate their grief, connecting through faith, and the creation of a kite. Starring Ben Caplan.
- Beshert Dir. Lewis Rose | 15 mins | UK, 2025 | English A poignant, tender drama about a grumpy old man in a Leeds care home and a reluctant Barmitzvah boy — and the unlikely friendship that changes their lives forever. Starring Anton Lesser.
- Orphaned Burial Grounds Dir. Jonny Weinberg | UK, 2024 | 4 mins | English Far from Britain’s big Jewish communities, forgotten burial grounds have become places for Jews to find each other and fight to preserve their overlooked heritage.
