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“Eleanor the Great” kicks off the Greater Altoona Jewish Foundation’s annual International Jewish Film Festival at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19.
Courtesy photo
The 2026 annual International Jewish Film Festival will kick off with the film “Eleanor the Great” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Penn State Altoona Downtown Devorris Center, 1431 12th Ave., Altoona.
Feature films will continue at 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 26, March 5 and March 12. Cost is $5 per person, with no charge for students. Reservations for movies are not required.
The Greater Altoona Jewish Federation will also offer appetizers, dinner and dessert catered by Dave and Paul Binus from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. before the showings at the Agudath Achim Social Hall, 1306 17th St., a few blocks from the theater. Cost is $20 per person and payment in advance is appreciated either by check or credit card on the federation website at www.greateraltoonajewishfederation.org.
Reservations for meals are required and must be made by emailing [email protected] by 9 a.m. Monday prior to that week’s showing.
The menu includes an appetizer course of stuffed mushrooms, cheese/crackers/grapes/vegetables, followed by orange glazed salmon, baked potato bar, seasoned green beans, tossed salad with assorted dressings, brioche rolls with butter and assorted desserts. A hot beverage service, freshly brewed iced tea, assorted sodas and water will be available.
A closer look at the films to be screened:
Feb. 19
“Eleanor the Great”
Oscar nominee June Squibb stars in Scarlett Johansson’s thoughtful, provocative and very funny feature directorial debut, about a nonagenarian who passes herself off as a Holocaust survivor. It covers themes of aging, Jewish identity, grief and friendship. USA, 2025, drama/comedy, English, 98 minutes
Feb. 26
“September 5”
The film chronicles the Munich massacre of 1972 Summer Olympics from the perspective of the ABC Sports crew and their coverage of the events. The film explores the pivotal moment that reshaped journalism, blending historical footage with a fictionalized account of the events. USA, 2024, drama, English, 95 minutes
March 5
“Running on Sand”
When a young Eritrean refugee to be deported from Israel is mistaken for the new foreign player of a struggling football team, his survival depends on the team’s success. Despite the absence of any soccer talent, Aumari is able to cover up and heal the divisions of his struggling team in this charming and unconventional story of new friendships. Israel, 2023, drama/comedy, Hebrew/English, 104 minutes
March 12
“TORN”
“TORN” captures the emotional fallout of a poster campaign through the voices of artists, activists, and families. The film exposes motivations behind those putting up and tearing down the posters, exposing a complex proxy war fought in stickers, slogans, and torn paper. TORN forces a reckoning with identity, free speech, and empathy in an age of polarization. USA, 2024, documentary, English, 75 minutes
If you go
What: Annual International Jewish Film Festival
When: Movies begin at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 5 and March 12. Appetizers, dinner and desserts will be available by reservation only before the films from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Agudath Achim Social Hall
Where: Films will be screened at Penn State Altoona’s Downtown Devorris Center, 1431 12th Ave., Altoona. Dinner will be offered at Agudath Achim Social Hall, 1306 17th St., Altoona
Cost: $5 per person; students free, reservations not required. Meal is $20 per person, with reservations required by 9 a.m. Monday before the film. Email [email protected] to RSVP. Payment by check, $20 per meal and $5 per film ticket, please mail to Greater Altoona Jewish Federation P.O. Box 224, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Credit payments can be made at the federation website.
Information: Visit www.greateraltoonajewishfederation.org
