The New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) highlights the diverse and philosophical nature of Sephardi identity. As part of Festival Sefarad, the festival showcases the contributions of lesser-known Jewish communities globally, from regions like Greece to India. Notably, an exhibition in 2015 revealed the impactful roles Jews played in Bollywood. With a focus on diversity, NYSJFF seeks to educate audiences on the historical significance and artistic legacy of Sephardic Jews, who have long been influential in various fields and cultures across the world.
Sephardi identity is not limited by geography or ethnicity - for us it's always been a philosophy, so we are very open to different expressions of that.
There was a taboo on Indian women appearing in films, so the Jewish women were the ones who were willing to do it. Not only did they star in these films, but they ended up becoming media moguls in the 1920s and 30s.
The Jewish people are incredibly diverse. Sephardic Jews, in particular, were always travellers, traders, philosophers, scientists, and very international.
The NYSJFF has long offered a platform for diverse expressions of Sephardic life, educating viewers on contributions from lesser-known Jewish communities.
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