Jewish film fest returns

The Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT returns to a fully in-person schedule for the first time since the pandemic.

The festival is marking its 30th anniversary and is presented by the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut.

This year’s lineup kicks off today with “No Name Restaurant,” a 2023 comedy from Germany with English subtitles. Here’s the synopsis: To save the synagogue of the once largest Jewish community in the world from being shut down, Ben, an ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn Jew visiting Jerusalem, is sent out to be the desperately needed 10th man for the ceremonies of Pesach. Having missed his plane and been kicked off the bus in the Sinai Desert, his last hope is Adel, a grumpy Bedouin looking for his camel. Rescued by monks when their car breaks down, Ben is too sick to go on. It is the Bedouin disguised as Ben who is now rushing on towards Alexandria to save the Jewish community.

The rest of the schedule is:

March 21: “No Name Restaurant,” 7 p.m.,

Olin Science Center, Connecticut College, New London

March 31: “The Goldman Case,” 2 p.m., Congregation Beth Jacob, Norwich

April 2: “Let the Party Begin,” 7 p.m., Temple Emanu-El, Waterford

April 9: “The Story of Annette Zelman,” 7 p.m., Temple Emanu-El, Waterford

April 16: “Call Me Dancer,” 7 p.m., United Theatre, Westerly

April 28: “Seven Blessings,” 2 p.m., Olin Science Center, Connecticut College, New London — Kristina Dorsey

Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT,

various dates and locations; individual ticket sales are $12 per person, per movie; the 2024 FilmPass is for five films (excluding “Call Me Dancer”) for $48 per person; tickets for “Call Me Dancer” can be purchased only on United Theatre website or at the door; jfec. com/2024-film-festival.