The 2024 Mobile Jewish Film Festival lineup promises a diverse selection of films. The festival brings two weeks of events to Mobile and Baldwin counties, Jan. 7-21.

The festival kicks off Sunday, Jan. 7, at Springhill Avenue Temple with the comedy, "My Neighbor Adolf." The film follows the story of a cranky Holocaust survivor who becomes convinced his neighbor is none other than Adolf Hitler and sets out to prove his theory. A kickoff celebration follows the film.

The film festival then moves to the University of South Alabama's Laidlaw Performing Arts Center for three nights of films.

The documentary "Rock in the Red Zone" focuses on the small Israeli town of Sderot. Just a half-mile from the Gaza border, Sderot has been pummeled with rockets from Hamas for years. Despite a constant barrage, a successful music industry has developed in the town. This film was shown at the Mobile Jewish Film Festival nine years ago. The town is now almost deserted after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Director Shoshana Treichel, personally familiar with the town, will introduce the film. The presentation begins at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. the festival presents the winner of the Audience Award at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, "Rabbi on the Block." The story is of Tamar Manasseh, a charismatic African American rabbi who is a community activist on the south side of Chicago. She finds herself a natural bridge to help overcome misunderstanding and mistrust between Black and Jewish communities. Brad Rothchild, director, will participate in a Zoom Q&A following the film.

"You Will Not Play Wagner" is the third film to be presented at the University of South Alabama, this one on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. Richard Wagner's music has been banned from public performances in Israel due to Wagner's antisemitic views. Despite the ban, a young Israeli conductor chooses to perform music from the composer in an international music competition. But Esther, a major contributor to the competition and a Holocaust survivor, strictly forbids it. This film is an emotional debate between Esther and the conductor. Following the film, author Roy Hoffman will lead an audience discussion. A reception will follow.

The hilarious comedy "Matchmaking" will be screened at The Ahavas Chesed Synagogue. The film is an award-winner from the Miami Jewish Film Festival and 2024's Reita Franco Memorial Film that focuses on Moti, an eligible young bachelor. He can have his pick of almost any girl but falls for the one girl he cannot have and is forced to take drastic measures. The film is followed by a dessert reception.

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the festival moves to the Fairhope campus of the University of South Alabama for the showing of "The Levys of Monticello." This film tells the little-known story of the Levy family who owned and carefully preserved Monticello for a century. The story intersects with the rise of antisemitism in America. David Meola, professor of Jewish studies at USA, will introduce the movie. A reception will follow.

The festival venue then moves again to the Mobile Museum of Art for the showing of "The Shoah Ambassadors," Thursday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. In the film, five Holocaust survivors share their personal stories with two young adults who become ambassadors and caretakers of this history. A Zoom Q&A session with the directors of the film follows.

The final film of the 2024 season will take place at Ahavas Chesed Synagogue Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. The film, "Remember This," features a virtuoso solo performance by Academy Award nominee David Strathairn. He portrays Jan Karski in this true story of a reluctant World War II hero and Holocaust witness who endures mental anguish and torture but stands tall and speaks the truth. A Zoom Q&A with co-writer of the film, Clark Young, will follow. The afternoon will conclude with a closing reception.

The Mobile Jewish Film Festival offers a hybrid model for those who cannot get out to the events in person. Most of the films are available virtually. To learn more about the festival, watch movie trailers or purchase tickets, visit www.mobilejewishfederation.org. Tickets and passes range in price from $9-$60.