Wendy Honig
Film Festival
The Boca International Jewish Film Festival once again proved why it has quickly become one of South Florida’s most anticipated cultural events. Founded by Wendy Honig, Les Rich and Arleen Roberts, the festival returned for its third year from February 21 through March 22, 2026, bringing a dynamic lineup of films, special events, and community gatherings to audiences across the region.
This year marked an important milestone as the festival expanded beyond Boca Raton and Delray Beach to include screenings in Lake Worth and Deerfield Beach, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for Jewish and Israeli cinema.
Honig, who is the Artistic Director, says the event has evolved rapidly since its founding and now stands as one of the leading Jewish film festivals in the United States and the largest in Southeast Florida.
“The festival is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer charity organization formed to support Jewish and Israeli charities,” Honig explains. “Our goal is to embrace the community and provide premiere films that entertain, educate, enrich and excite our audiences.”
The festival was created in response to growing demand for high-quality films, speakers and cultural programming centered on Jewish themes and stories. Honig credits the festival’s continued success to the generous support and guidance of patrons and grand benefactors, including Billi Marcus, Marilyn and Jay Weinberg and Elaine and Henry Spiro.
The 2026 program featured a mix of dramas, documentaries and special events exploring history, identity and contemporary issues affecting Jewish communities around the world. One of the festival’s most anticipated moments was the Cinebash Opening Night world premiere of the documentary TOVAH at The Wick Theatre. The film celebrates the career of Broadway and film legend Tovah Feldshuh, who attended the event and received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Honig and the festival’s screening committee also selected historically significant films including Jerusalem ’67 and Sapiro v. Ford–The Jew Who Sued Henry Ford.
“These films affirm our shared humanity and confront the realities facing Jews in an increasingly uncertain world,” Honig says.
As the festival continues to grow, it remains committed to celebrating storytelling, preserving history and bringing communities together through film.
Boca International Jewish Film Festival, 20320 Fairway Oaks Drive, #343, Boca Raton, 561-235-2403, jfilmboca.org
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