As filmmaker Ava DuVernay said, “Film is a medium that can challenge our assumptions, expand our horizons, and change our perspective.” The 2024 Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) exemplifies this transformative power by showcasing more than 25 diverse films and events. With talkbacks that direct engagement between audiences and filmmakers, TIFF creates a unique space for reflection, encouraging viewers to connect with stories that push boundaries and inspire meaningful dialogue.
The Film Festival with a Social Conscience
From November 7-14, 2024, TIFF will bring a powerful selection of films to Bergen County under the theme Activism: Making Change. Now in its 19th year, TIFF is more than just a collection of screenings; it is a week-long call to action, challenging audiences to confront social issues, engage in dialogue, and explore solutions.
Supported by The Puffin Foundation Ltd., TIFF has gained a reputation as “the film festival with a social conscience.” Local and regional partners—community organizations, nonprofits, and advocates—join to make TIFF a dynamic space for people of all backgrounds to connect through cinema and spark conversations that matter.
A Festival with Purpose: Highlights from TIFF 2024
TIFF’s commitment to exploring social issues will open on Thursday, November 7, with Freedom Hair, a narrative feature about a Black woman’s fight to start a hair-braiding business in Mississippi. Sponsored by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter, Freedom Hair sets the tone for a festival focused on resilience and empowerment.
The festival’s Centerpiece Gala on Saturday, November 9 will feature Voy! Voy! Voy!, an Academy Award-shortlisted film by Egyptian filmmaker Omar Hilal, who will join the audience for a Q&A. This story of a “blind soccer team” player trying to escape Egypt blends humor with gravity, embodying TIFF’s theme of social change. Sponsored by Davis, Saperstein, & Salomon, the screening and gala underscore TIFF’s commitment to bringing unique international perspectives to North Jersey.
On Sunday, November 10, TIFF will conclude with Politics is a Mother: Raising Hell is Part of the Job, a documentary on NJ Senator Loretta Weinberg, presented by Women of Wisdom (WOW), National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section (NCJW), YWCA Northern New Jersey, League of Women Voters of Teaneck, Arbor Terrace of Teaneck, and Reshma Khan. This story of political advocacy reminds viewers of the power of civic engagement to shape policy and create a safer, more inclusive society.
Films Across the Spectrum: Documentaries, Narrative Features, and Shorts
TIFF’s programming includes stories for a range of interests and concerns. Documentaries like The Picture Taker, which explores photographer Ernest Withers’ role as both a documentarian of civil rights and an FBI informant, and Green Border, a drama following refugees caught between Belarus and Poland, address complex, humanitarian issues. These films aim to create empathy and encourage action.
For those interested in cultural history, The Catskills, presented by the Jewish Standard, taps into nostalgia with a look at the heyday of Borscht Belt resorts and bungalow colonies. TIFF’s lighter selections include On Golden Years, a romantic comedy set in an Indian retirement community in Florida, sponsored by Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C..
Age Friendly Teaneck, Adeline Wijnen and The Jewish Link bring Thelma, an action-comedy following a feisty grandmother as she battles scammers, adding a lighthearted twist to TIFF’s social message.
Films for Young Audiences: Little Kid Flicks Returns
TIFF’s inclusivity extends to younger audiences through Little Kid Flicks, a collection of award-winning shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Scheduled for November 3 at the Puffin Cultural Forum, this program invites children ages 4-8 to experience the joy of cinema with free entry alongside a paying adult, thanks to support from the Puffin Foundation Ltd., Teaneck Public Library and Barbara Ostroth, Coldwell Banker Realty. The event is hosted by Miss Jolie, a beloved children’s entertainer, making it an ideal introduction for young viewers to the wonders of film.
Virtual Screenings and Discussions: TIFF from Home
Recognizing the demand for accessibility, TIFF will offer three virtual screenings that can be enjoyed from home:
- Wildcat, directed by Ethan Hawke and starring Laura Linney, follows the journey of famed author Flannery O’Connor.
- Ultimate Citizens, chronicling the story of Iranian refugee Jamshid Khajavi, a school counselor using sports to empower youth.
- Far East Deep South, a documentary highlighting the surprising journey of Chinese American immigrants in the Deep South.
Each virtual film includes a moderated discussion, allowing viewers to delve deeper into the stories and their broader implications.
A Platform for Action: TIFF’s Commitment to Social Engagement
TIFF’s mission goes beyond film; it’s a platform that galvanizes audiences toward awareness and action. A project of the Puffin Foundation, Ltd., TIFF is aligned with the Puffin’s dedication to building community. As TIFF Executive Director Jeremy Lentz explains, “The purpose of the film festival is to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and opinions and find common ground.” In a time of deepening divides, TIFF fosters dialogue on critical issues, and encourages a sense of shared purpose and understanding.
Please go to the website for more information, tickets, and to see the many TIFF sponsors.
TIFF 2024 Full Schedule of Screenings and Events
Sunday, November 3
- 1:30 pm – Puffin Cultural Forum – Little Kid Flicks – Short films for children ages 4-8; emceed by Miss Jolie with light refreshments.
Thursday, November 7
- 7:30 pm – Teaneck Cinemas – Freedom Hair – Opening night feature about a Black woman’s fight for economic independence. SOLD OUT
Friday, November 8
- 7:30 pm – Teaneck Cinemas – The Picture Taker – Documentary about photographer Ernest Withers’ complicated legacy.
Saturday, November 9
- 12:00 pm – Teaneck Cinemas – Igualada – Documentary about Colombia’s first Black female vice-presidential candidate.
- 2:00 pm – Puffin Cultural Forum – Union – Documentary about Amazon workers’ unionization efforts in the New York area.
- 4:00 pm – Teaneck Cinemas – Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back – Documentary about the life of Maurice Hines.
- 4:30 pm – Puffin Cultural Forum – A House is Not a Disco – Story about a queer beach town facing climate change.
- 7:00 pm – Temple Emeth – Centerpiece Gala with film Voy! Voy! Voy! – Narrative feature about a “blind soccer team” in Egypt.
Sunday, November 10
- 11:30 am – Teaneck Cinemas – On Golden Years – Comedy about an Indian retirement community.
- 12:20 pm – Temple Emeth – The Catskills – Documentary about the Borscht Belt’s golden years.
- 1:50 pm – Teaneck Cinemas – Green Border – Drama about refugees seeking entry into the EU.
- 2:45 pm – Puffin Cultural Forum – Daughter of Mine and Strays – Short films about social justice.
- 3:00 pm – Temple Emeth – Sabbath Queen – Documentary about Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s journey.
- 4:45 pm – Puffin Cultural Forum – Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round – Documentary about a historic desegregation effort. SOLD OUT
- 4:45 pm – Teaneck Cinemas – Thelma – Action/comedy about a grandmother fighting scammers.
- 7:00 pm – Temple Emeth – Politics is a Mother (70 min) – Documentary about NJ Senator Loretta Weinberg. SOLD OUT
Thursday, November 14 (Bonus Screenings)
- 7:30 pm – Ethical Culture Society – Join or Die – Documentary about the civic decline in America, screened with short Save the Cat.
TIFF Tickets and Event Details
Tickets for TIFF 2024 are available at teaneckfilmfestival.org, priced at $10 in advance and $15 at the door if available, except: Little Kid Flicks (Kids free with paying adult) and Centerpiece Gala and Film – $40 donation in advance.
Talkbacks follow most films. Visit teaneckfilmfestival.org for complete details and sponsors.
Don’t miss this chance to experience films that entertain, educate, and inspire change. For anyone passionate about the impact of cinema, TIFF 2024 is a not-to-be-missed Bergen County event.
Why not grab dinner in Teaneck, before or after seeing a TIFF film? Visit the mybergen.com Restaurant Directory to find a fabulous variety of Teaneck restaurants!
