Jewish Ledger The 25th Annual Hartford Jewish Film Festival focuses on strength and resilience The 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival featuring 19 films – all linked to theme of strength and resilience – will open Feb. 28 and run through April 2. “Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the 2020 film festival to a halt,” says Mandell JCC Executive Director David Jacobs. “Through the strength and resilience of our community, we were determined to carry on and curate a film festival this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary.” Nine of the festival’s 19 films were scheduled to screen last year but had to be cancelled.