The St. Louis International Film Festival returns Nov. 6-16, showcasing films from around the world across a wide range of interests, including those with Jewish and Israeli themes. 

The 34th annual SLIFF, titled “Film Without Borders,” features both feature-length and short films spanning documentaries and narratives

This year’s lineup includes three feature-length films of Jewish interest: the documentaries “Holding Liat” and “Looking Up,” as well as the comedy “The Floaters,” which has a local connection. 

Three short documentaries — “The Sacred Society,” “Amal/Hope” and “Last Jews of Guantanamo” — offer thought-provoking Jewish perspectives.

Screenings take place at venues across St. Louis, with many held at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, home of presenting organization Cinema St. Louis.

“This year’s St. Louis International Film Festival is really about connection,” said Emmett Williams, director of festivals, curation and education at Cinema St. Louis. “We’ve got more than 250 films over 11 days, and what ties them all together is the idea that movies can help us see the world, and each other, a little differently. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“In a time when things feel so divided, these films remind us that art can still cross borders, spark empathy and open up new ways of understanding. It’s a celebration of how far a good story can travel.”

‘Holding Liat’

A centerpiece of the festival is the Israeli-U.S. documentary “Holding Liat,” which follows the harrowing experience of an Israeli-American family whose daughter, Liat Beinin Atzili, was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. The film premiered at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Berlinale Documentary Award for Best Documentary.

“ ‘Holding Liat’ is a powerful and very personal documentary,” Williams said. “Rather than focusing on the politics of the moment, it looks at the emotional and moral toll within one family, how they cope, disagree and try to stay hopeful. It’s a film about grief, identity and the complicated ways we hold on to each other in the middle of unimaginable loss.” 

Williams explained that director Brandon Kramer, a distant relative, began filming in Israel, documenting the aftermath of the kidnapping while Liat’s father traveled to the United States to advocate for her release.

Israeli authorities were able to confirm that Liat had been taken by Hamas and was being held in Gaza, but they could not provide any information about her husband, Aviv Atzili, who was also missing. The film follows both the Atzili and Beinin families, with particular focus on Liat’s father, Yehuda Beinin, a dual American-Israeli citizen who was invited to join a delegation to Washington, D.C. This deeply personal and moving documentary offers an intimate look at one family’s harrowing experience, while also exploring the broader, complex issues surrounding the Oct. 7 attacks.

The film is in English, and Hebrew with English subtitles, and will be shown Sunday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe Theatre.

‘The Floaters’

Another feature film at SLIFF is the comedy “The Floaters.” Directed by Rachel Israel, it centers on a struggling punk musician (Jackie Tohn of “Nobody Wants This”), who takes a job as a camp counselor at Camp Daveed, run by her best friend (Sarah Podemski). She finds herself in charge of the camp misfits, the floaters, to put on a play to beat rival Camp Barak, led by a mean Seth Green. 

“ ‘The Floaters’ is a warm, funny summer camp comedy with a lot of heart,” Williams said. “It follows two best friends, one a struggling musician, the other an overachiever, who reunite to save their old Jewish summer camp from shutting down. It’s light and nostalgic on the surface, but underneath it’s really about friendship, community and finding connection in the middle of chaos.” 

Locations might look familiar to anyone who attended the St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s Camp Sabra, because the film was partly shot there. Williams has a connection to Camp Sabra. 

“I actually didn’t want to go to Sabra, but my parents forced me to, and it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me,” Williams said. “It not only introduced me to friendships that have lasted four decades, but it also taught me about community and what it means to show up for people. Camp had this way of breaking down walls. You laughed together, struggled together and, by the end of the summer, you felt like family.” 

“The Floaters” will be shown Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, and again the same day at 7:30 p.m. at B&B Theatres Creve Coeur West Olive 10. The filmmakers will attend for a post-screening Q&A. 

‘Looking Up’

Another film of Jewish interest, the 71-minute documentary “Looking Up,” follows the inspiring story of Eitan Armon, a young Jewish man confronting the onset of blindness. At age 20, while serving in the Israeli military, he is diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare and incurable genetic condition that gradually robs him of his sight. With only 5% of his central vision remaining, he sets out to challenge himself by climbing Yosemite’s formidable El Capitan.

“ ‘Looking Up’ documents Eitan’s journey and resilience, demonstrating the endless possibilities for those who approach life with positivity,” Williams said.

“Looking Up” will be shown Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m., at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, and is free that day for veterans in honor of Veterans Day. It will screen again Thursday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. at B&B Creve Coeur. 

Documentary shorts

Three short documentaries at SLIFF feature Jewish content. 

“The Sacred Society” is an animated short that explores the work of the chevra kadisha, the volunteers who prepare bodies for Jewish burial. Directed by Ben Zelkowicz, this thoughtful and sensitive film is narrated by the volunteers themselves as they describe cleaning, dressing and preparing bodies according to Jewish tradition. The story is brought to life through sepia-tone sand animation, creating a contemplative and visually striking experience. 

The film will be shown Saturday, Nov. 8, at noon at Chase Park Plaza Cinema, as part of the Documentary Shorts Program 1, Hidden Truths.

“ ‘Amal/Hope’ tells the story of Israeli pianist Yaron Kohlberg and Palestinian pianist Bishara Haroni known as Duo Amal, who share an extraordinary musical partnership that defies borders. This film tells their inspiring story, showcasing how their artistry bridges cultural divides and unites audiences.”  

It will be shown Thursday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. at the Chase Park Plaza Cinema, as part of Documentary Shorts Program 5, Crafting Resistance

Another short documentary, “The Last Jews of Guantanamo,” will screen for free Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. at Washington University.  The film is not about the U.S. prison on the coast of Cuba, but focuses on a small Jewish community in the Cuban region of Guantanamo. About 15 years ago, when travel to Cuba briefly opened, visitors discovered this resilient group, who had maintained their faith for decades despite restrictions on religion. Later in life, some of the women chose to have bat mitzvahs, a milestone the film highlights. 

“Through their story, the film reflects on identity, endurance, and the enduring strength of community in the face of repression,” Williams said.

Williams said he wants readers to know that “this year’s SLIFF is all about connection — on screen and in the community.”

“We’ve got some incredible Jewish-interest films, along with stories from all over the world that dig into identity, belonging and resilience,” he said. “More than anything, I hope people come out not just to watch movies, but to be part of something, to talk, share and feel that sense of community that makes this festival so special every year.”