UPDATE: As of 10/29, JBFC Theaters will operate at full capacity. The JBFC campus is vaccinated-only for ALL in-person screenings and events. Masks are required and may only be removed to enjoy concessions while seated in the Theater. Details here.
Special Guests Archive
We welcome over 170 special guests to our theater every year, ranging from filmmakers to screenwriters, actors to activists. Explore our archive of special guests below, visit our YouTube channel for videos of guests from years past, or visit our Recent Guests page for the latest #JBFCLive news!
Focus on Nature 2019 kicked off with THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM, followed by a Q&A with Jack Algiere, Farm Director at Stone Barns Center (R) and JBFC Programming Director Brian Ackerman (L). Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Producer Nancy Spielberg stopped by for a Q&A following the closing night screening of WHO WILL WRITE OUR HISTORY during the 2019 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
Following the April 16 screening of THE OSLO DIARIES, Steven Bayme—AJC's Director of Contemporary Jewish Life as well as AJC's Koppelman Institute on American Jewish-Israeli Relations—offered his insights.
THE WALDHEIM WALTZ showed April 11 #AtTheJBFC as part of the 2019 Westchester Jewish Film Festival. Following the screening, AJC Chief Executive Officer David Harris (L) and AJC Westchester/Fairfield President Richard W. Cohen (R) joined us for a #JBFCLive Q&A.
PROSECUTING EVIL: THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF BEN FERENCZ screened April 11 as part of the 2019 Westchester Jewish Film Festival. Following the screening, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein (L) and joined Felice Gaer, director of AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights (R), for a Q&A.
THE ANCIENT LAW, a silent film from 1923, screening on April 7 #AtTheJBFC as part of the 2019 Westchester Jewish Film Festival. Pianist Donald Sosin (L) and violinist Alicia Svigals (C) provided live musical accompaniment during the film, then joined series programmer Bruni Burres (R) for a Q&A.
Filmmaker James L. Freedman joined series programmer Bruni Burres following the April 7 screening of Freedman's film CARL LAEMMLE during the 2019 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
Emmy- and Tony-nominated actress Tovah Feldshuh joined us via Skype for a Q&A with WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres following our April 6 screening of GOLDA'S BALCONY: THE FILM.
Filmmaker Carl Reiner joined us via Skype for a Q&A with WJFF series curator Bruni Burres following the April 6 screening of DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID, part of WJFF's "Celebrating Carl Reiner" retrospective.
JBFC Programming Director Brian Ackerman (L) moderated a Q&A with James S. Snyder, Director Emeritus of the Israel Museum (R) following a WJFF screening of THE MUSEUM on April 4.
Following the April 3 screening of WHO WILL WRITE OUR HISTORY, AJC Westchester/Fairfield Regional Director Scott Richman moderated a Q&A with Sam Kassow, author of the book upon which the film is based, and Ambassador Maciej Golubiewski, the Polish Consul General in New York (L to R).
Following the March 21 screening of scintillating new documentary THE WORLD BEFORE YOUR FEET, JBFC Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin (L) moderated a Q&A with film subject Matt Green (C) and filmmaker Jeremy Workman (R).
Pubstreet Executive Chef Mogan Anthony catered a custom tasting reception following a Film to Table screening of "ramen western" TAMPOPO on March 20. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
Following a Global Watch screening of HALL OF MIRRORS on March 19, 2019, film subject/journalist Edward Jay Epstein (C) joined filmmakers Ines and Ena Talakic for a photo op.
Film subject Jamil Sunsin (C) and Steven Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition (R) joined us for a Q&A moderated by Westchester Community Foundation Executive Director Laura Rossi (L) following a Community Matters screening of COLOSSUS. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Filmmaker James Kent was kind enough to sign a poster for THE AFTERMATH following a preview screening and his Q&A with JBFC Board President Janet Maslin.
NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott (L) and filmmaker Guy Reid (R) discussed APOLLO 11 following a Mar. 10 screening as part of JBFC series Inquiry: Science on Film.
Filmmaker Claire Simon (L) and Creative Culture Fellow Lydia Cornett (R) were all smiles following their JBFC Live Q&A on opening night of Simon's new documentary, THE COMPETITION.
Sound artist and sonic philosopher Bruce Odland hosted two Ear Yoga workshops at the JBFC Media Arts Lab on Mar. 3, 2019. Photo by Giancarlo Anastiasio.
Following a Feb. 28 screening of the documentary DEATH CAFE, JBFC Programming Director Brian Ackerman (L) moderated a Q&A with Barbara Sarah (R), the host/facilitator of the Death Cafe of Northern Westchester.
Following a Remix screening of new documentary CHI-TOWN on Feb. 21, 2019, the sold-out crowd enjoyed a post-screening discussion with film subject/professional basketball player Keifer Sykes, filmmaker Nick Budabin, community leader Patrice Moore, and executive producer Terry Minogue. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
JBFC Board President Janet Maslin and film writer Mark Harris (L to R) treated audiences to yet another spectacular Oscar Talk on Feb. 20, 2019, continuing a beloved JBFC annual tradition. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Following a Meditative Life screening of SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER...AND SPRING on Feb. 19, writer/meditation Leader Tracy Cochran engaged with the audience on how the film conveys the meditative mind.
Following a Meditative Life screening of essential documentary FROM SHOCK TO AWE, on Feb. 10, 2019, JBFC Programming Director Brian Ackerman moderated a Q&A with filmmaker Luc Côté and Dr. William Vingiano, a veteran and therapist who works with issues of PTSD (L to R).
Filmmaker Cristina Gallego was all smiles with Q&A moderator Natalie Erazo, Coordinator of Repertory and Specialty Film Programs at BAM, following an advance screening of Gallego's new film BIRDS OF PASSAGE on Feb. 8, 2019.
Annual JBFC series The Meditative Life: Consciousness, Meaning, and Connection kicked off Tuesday, Feb. 5 with a screening of TIBET: THE TRAIL OF LIGHT, followed by a Skype Q&A with filmmaker Hamid Sardar, and a reception in the JBFC's Jane Peck Gallery. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
JBFC Executive Director Edie Demas poses with panelists Pleasantville High School Student Sofia Tome, developmental pediatrician/author Dr. Mark Bertin, and Psychiatrist Dr. Alicia Murray (L to R), after moderating their Q&A following a screening of new documentary SCREENAGERS. This event on Feb. 4, 2019, was presented in collaboration with the PTAs of the Bedford Roads School and Pleasantville Middle School.
Following a sold-out screening of HORN FROM THE HEART: THE PAUL BUTTERFIELD STORY on Jan. 23, 2019, producer/co-writer Sandra Warren (R) and music teacher Billy Roues (L) treated the audience for a Q&A on the life and legacy of musican Paul Butterfield. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
Filmmaker Astra Taylor joined us Jan. 17, 2019, at the JBFC for a Global Watch screening of her film WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?, followed by a JBFC Live Q&A. Photo by Thomas Edward Olszewski.
Academy-Award-winning screenwriter Josh Singer (R) stopped by the JBFC on Dec. 18, 2018, for a screening of his film FIRST MAN, followed by a Q&A with JBFC Board President Janet Maslin (L).
Filmmaker Assia Boundaoui joined filmmaker Carol Bash (L to R) for a Q&A following a Global Watch screening of Boundaoui's new documentary, THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED, on Dec. 13, 2018.
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (R) stopped by the JBFC on Dec. 5, 2018, for a Silver Screen Circle screening of THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, followed by a Q&A with JBFC Board President Janet Maslin (L). Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Following a Making Waves; New Romanian Cinema screening of their film THE STORY OF A SUMMER LOVE, filmmaker Paul Negoescu and DP Ana Drăghici hung around for a JBFC Live Q&A.
Following a Making Waves: New Romanian Cinema screening of his new documentary TARZAN'S TESTICLES on Dec. 1, 2018, filmmaker Alexandru Solomon (R) joined series curator Mihai Chirilov (L) for a JBFC Live Q&A.
Annual JBFC series Making Waves: New Romanian Cinema kicked off on Nov. 29, 2018, with a screening of I DO NOT CARE IF WE GO DOWN AS BARBARIANS, followed by a Q&A with producer Ada Solomon and series curator Mihai Chirilov. Photo by Mark Cody.
Filmmaker Alex Winter joined JBFC Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin (L to R) for a JBFC Live Q&A following a Global Watch screening of Winter's film THE PANAMA PAPERS on Nov. 26, 2018.
Filmmaker Matthew Heineman and JBFC Special Events Coordinator Nicole Klein (L to R) strike a pose following a screening of Heineman's first narrative feature, A PRIVATE WAR, on Nov. 13, 2018. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
Artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel joined us for a Q&A following a screening of his surrealist van Gogh biopic, AT ETERNITY'S GATE, on Nov. 12, 2018. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
JBFC Board President Janet Maslin led a Q&A with actor Viggo Mortensen (L to R) following an advance screening of 2019 Best Picture Winner GREEN BOOK on Nov. 11, 2018.
Actor Christian Borle, actor Anthony Rosenthal, and director James Lapine hammed it up for the camera following our Life on the Stage event for FALSETTOS on Oct. 28, 2018. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
The 2018 Halloween Movie Marathon "all-nighters" pose for a group photo at the end of the marathon, which included live commentary by the team behind the We Hate Movies podcast.
JBFC Creative Culture Director Sean Weiner joins JBFC Artist-in-Residence Brad Barber following the one-night-only screening of documentary SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION on Oct. 15, 2018. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
Rarely Seen Cinema guest curator Jenny Lumet led a post-screening discussion following the Oct. 14, 2018 screening of classic movie-musical THE WIZ.
JBFC Programming Director Brian Ackerman strikes a pose with film subject/teacher Dr. Serena McCalla (L to R) following an Inquiry: Science on Film screening of new documentary SCIENCE FAIR on Oct. 10, 2018.
Tap dancer/choreographer and associate producer Michela Marino Lerman and tap dancer/choreographer Ayodele Casel with host Peter Pucci following a Dance on Film screening of their film AMERICAN TAP on Oct. 9, 2018.
Choreographer Stephen Petronio, director/producer Maia Wechsler, and producer Lise Friedman joined choreographer Peter Pucci for a Q&A following the Dance on Film opening night screening of their film IF THE DANCER DANCERS on Oct. 4, 2018.
Vassar Professor Mia Mask led a post-screening discussion following the Sept. 30, 2018 screening of THE DUKE IS TOPS.
Comedian Alan Zweibel (R) joined JBFC Board President Janet Maslin for a Q&A on his friend Gilda Radner following a sneak preview of new documentary LOVE, GILDA on Sept. 28, 2018.
Contemporary Arab Cinema Curator Lina Matta and filmmaker Philippe Aractingi struck a pose following the Sept. 27, 2018, screening of Aractingi's film LISTEN. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
VoteRunLead CEO/Founder Erin Vilardi (R) joined Westchester Community Foundation Executive Diretor Laura Rossi for a Q&A following our Community Matters screening of TIME FOR ILHAN on Sept. 27, 2018. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Filmmaker Sahim Omar Kalifa joined Contemporary Arab Cinema series curator Lina Matta (L to R) for a Q&A following a screening of his film ZAGROS on Sept. 26, 2018.
Guest Curator Jenny Lumet joined film writer Maiysha Kai (L to R) for a photo op following opening night of Jonathan Demme's Rarely Seen Cinema: Jenny Lumet Presents on Sept. 23, 2018.
Filmmaker Lucien Bourjelly treated audiences to a Skype Q&A following a screening of his film, HEAVEN WITHOUT PEOPLE, on Sept. 23, 2018.
Writer/director/producer Claire Belhassine treated audiences to a Skype Q&A following a screening of her film, THE MAN BEHIND THE MICROPHONE, on Sept. 22, 2018.
Writer/producer Rami Alayan joined us for a Q&A following the Sept. 23, 2018 screening of his film THE REPORTS ON SARAH AND SALEEM.
Filmmaker Annemarie Jacir joined Contemporary Arab Cinema Curator Lina Matta for a Skype Q&A following the opening night screening of Jacir's film, WAJIB, on Sept. 20, 2018.
Filmmaker Nicole Holofcener (R) joined JBFC Board President Janet Maslin (L) for a JBFC Live Q&A following a sneak preview of her new Netflix film, THE LAND OF STEADY HABITS, on Sept. 13, 2018. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
Film Subject Emily Kingsley was all smiles with her guests following a screening of FAR FROM THE TREE on Sept. 11, 2018.
JBFC Artist-in-Residence Hannah Jayanti (L) joined Creative Culture Director Sean Weiner (R) for a Q&A following a screening of CLOSE-UP on Sept. 5, 2018.
JBFC Board Member/series moderator Dori Berinstein led a conversation with the creative team behind new musical King Kong—director/choreographer Drew McOnie, set and projection designer Peter England, creature designer Sonny Tilders, and lead producer Carmen Pavlovi—following an Aug. 21, 2018 screening of the 1933 original.
Newly-minted Oscar nominee Bing Liu stopped by the JBFC back in August 2018 for a screening of his stunning debut documentary feature, MINDING THE GAP.
Filmmaker Jesse Peretz and actress Rose Byrne (L to R) struck a pose on Aug. 13 at the JBFC before their Q&A on new film JULIET, NAKED.
WFUV's Dennis Elsas stopped by the JBFC on Aug. 2, 2018, for a Q&A after a Sounds of Summer screening of KEITH RICHARDS: UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
Filmmaker Boots Riley hammed it up for the camera following a Q&A on his debut feature, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, at the JBFC on July 27, 2018. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Filmmaker Aneesh Chaganty, actor John Cho, and writer Sev Ohanian stopped by the JBFC on July 24, 2018 for a preview screening of their new film SEARCHING.
Filmmaker Nijla Mu'min (L) joined film writer Tayler Montague (R) for a Q&A following a Remix screening of her debut feature documentary, JINN, at the JBFC on July 19.
Filmmaker/Comedian Bo Burnham joined JBFC Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin (L to R) for a Q&A following a preview screening of EIGHTH GRADE at the JBFC on July 19, 2018. Photo by Ed Cody.
WFUV Assistant Director Carmel Holt joined JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman (L to R) for a Q&A following a 2018 Sounds of Summer screening of MAY IT LAST: A PORTRAIT OF THE AVETT BROTHERS.
Beatles expert Scott Freiman brought a new season of "Deconstructing the Beatles" to the JBFC during Sounds of Summer 2018, including his July 16 presentation on "The Birth of The Beatles."
Filmmaker James Demo (R) joined JBFC Executive Director Edie Demas (L) for a Q&A following a Global Watch screening of his film THE PEACEMAKER on July 12, 2018.
Filmmaker Alex Gibney joined us July 11, 2018, at the JBFC for a Sounds of Summer screening of his new, two-part documentary ROLLING STONE: STORIES FROM THE EDGE.
Creative Culture Director Sean Weiner (L) and JBFC Artist-in-Residence Martha Gregory engaged in a post-screening discussion after Martha hosted a screening of THE PEARL BUTTON at the JBFC on June 27, 2018.
Filmmaker Jon Bowermaster, Hudson Valley Farm Hub Director Brooke Pickering-Cole, Clearwater Tideline Program Director Eli Schloss, and President of Hudson Riverkeeper Paul Gallay (L to R) joined us for a Q&A following a June 20, 2018 screening of HOPE ON THE HUDSON.
Broadway producer/Life on the Stage series moderator Dori Berinstein, composer/lyricist David Yazbek, playwright Itamar Moses, and Broadway producer Orin Wolf (L to R) participated in a Q&A during our June 18, 2018 Life on the Stage event for THE BAND'S VISIT. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
JBFC Executive Director Edie Demas (L) and filmmaker Brett Haley (R) were all smiles following a June 7, 2018 preview screening of Haley's new film HEARTS BEAT LOUD.
The Veronica Swift Trio wowed our audience with a live performance on May 30, 2018, following a screening of JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY during our annual series Jazz Sessions: Take 10.
Writer/producer Stephen Schiff (R) joined JBFC Board President Janet Maslin for a preview screening of the season finale of THE AMERICANS on May 23, 2018.
The Benny Benack III Quartet dazzled audiences with a live performance on May 23, 2018, following a screening of 1959: THE YEAR THAT CHANGED JAZZ during our annual series Jazz Sessions: Take 10.
Filmmaker Susanna Styron & Producer Jacki Ochs joined us for a screening of their film OUT OF MY HEAD on May 21, 2018. Photo by Kervin Marseille.
The Julius Rodriguez Trio treated our audience to a live performance following a screening of BILL EVANS: TIME REMEMBERED on May 16, 2018, during our Jazz Sessions: Take 10 series.
Filmmaker Julie Cohen (R) joined us for a preview screening of her Oscar-nominated documentary RBG on May 10, 2018.
The Julian Lee Quartet treated our audience to a live performance following a screening of CHASING TRANE: THE JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY during Jazz Sessions: Take 10 on May 9, 2018.
Producer Tamara Fisch and filmmaker Thomas Woodrow joined us for a one-night-only screening of WE'VE FORGOTTEN MORE THAN WE EVER KNEW on May 6, 2018.
Filmmaker Paul Schrader (L) and the Reverend Dale Southorn joined us for a preview screening of FIRST REFORMED on May 3, 2018, followed by a JBFC Live Q&A. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Musician John Pizzarelli kicked off opening night of Jazz Sessions: Take 10 with a musical performance following a screening of THE HOUSE OF TOM on May 2, 2018.
THE CHICAGO MIXTAPE filmmaker Paola Piers-Torres, ‘63 BOYCOTT producer Tracye Matthews, and Professor of Media Studies and Film at The New School Michelle Materre engaged in a dialogue following a Remix event on Apr. 29, 2018.
Filmmaker Ashley Bell, conservationist Sangdeaun Chailert, writer John Michael McCarthy & producer Roddy Tabatabai (L to R) with JBFC Executive Director Edie Demas (Far L) following a screening of LOVE & BANANAS on Apr. 28, 2018.
Visiting Artist Ekin Çalışır (C) and Greenhouse Program director Sigal Yehuda (R) with JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman (L) during a Greenhouse 2018 screening of MR. GAY SYRIA.
JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman, author & chef Maria Loi, and filmmaker Joanna James engage in a panel discussion following a screening of James' film A Fine Line during our Film to Table: Celebrating Women Chefs event. Photo by Lynda Shenkman.
Actress Edie Falco joined us Sunday, Apr. 15 for a Q&A with JBFC Board President Janet Maslin following a screening of her new film, Outside In.
Filmmaker Marta Renzi engaged in a lively Q&A with patrons following a screening of local production Her Magnum Opus.
WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres moderated a Q&A with filmmaker Aaron Wolf (L to R) following a 2018 WJFF screening of his film Restoring Tomorrow.
AJC Chief Executive Officer David Harris leads a post-screening discussion on Strangers at Home during the 2018 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
AJC's Asia Pacific Institute Director Shira Loewenberg and filmmaker Cellin Gluck joined us for a panel discussion following a screening of Persona Non Grata during the 2018 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
Filmmaker Hava Kohav Beller and WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres (L to R) are all smiles following a screening of Beller's film In the Land of Pomegranates during the 2018 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
Actor Alan Arkin rounds out our "Celebrating Alan Arkin" centerpiece with his second Skype Q&A of the 2018 WJFF.
Filmmaker Lisa Ades is joined by vets following the Mar. 25 screening of of her film, G.I. Jews; Jewish Americans in WWII during the 2018 Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
A veteran watches from the audience as filmmaker Lisa Ades, producer Amanda Bonavita & historian James Young engaged in a panel discussion following the Mar. 24 screening.
WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres hosted a Q&A with filmmaker Rachel Grady following a screening of her film, One of Us.
Filmmaker Sam Pollard joined WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres (L to R) for a Q&A following a screening of his film, Sammy Davis Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me, during the 2018 series.
Actor Alan Arkin joined us via Skype for a Q&A on The In-Laws, which screened as part of WJFF 2018's "Celebrating Alan Arkin" centerpiece.
Filmmaker Lily Rivlin (Heather Booth: Changing the World) and filmmaker Leah Galant (Death Metal Grandma) graced audiences with their presence during a WJFF 2018 double-feature screening of their documentaries.
Mikkel Hagen Hess, Director of Invest Denmark, joined us for a post-screening Q&A following a 2018 WJFF screening of Across the Waters.
Filmmaker Ferne Perlstein joined WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres (L to R) for a post-screening Q&A.
JBFC Founder Steve Apkon hosted a post-screening Q&A with AJC Director of Contemporary Jewish Life Steve Bayme during the 2018 WJFF.
Filmmaker Alexandra Dean and WJFF series programmer Bruni Burres (L to R) joined us for a post-screening Q&A during the 2018 WJFF.
Filmmaker Alison Chernick kicked off the 2018 Westchester Jewish Film Festival with an opening night screening of her film, Itzhak.
Food Bank of Westchester President & CEO Leslie Gordon & Director, Operations & Food Sourcing Bob Silvia joined us for a Global Watch screening on Mar. 8.
JBFC Board President Janet Maslin and film writer Mark Harris joined us for this very special, annual tradition on Feb. 27.
Following a REMIX screening of The Rape of Recy Taylor, VP - Cinema of BAMcinematek Gina Duncan, filmmaker Nancy Buirski, and Coordinator of Community Engagement and Education at My Sisters’ Place Kymberly McNair (L to R) participated in a panel discussion.
Members of the Order of Interbeing joined JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman for a Q&A following a Meditative Life screening of Walk With Me.
Following a 35mm screening of 1986 film Children of a Lesser God, cast and creative from the current Broadway revival spoke with patrons, including Broadway director Kenny Leon, producer Hal Luftig, actors Anthony Edwards, Kecia Lewis, and John McGinty with moderator Dori Berinstein.
Filmmaker Barry Strugatz and Tai Chi instructor Ed Young with JBFC Programming Director Brian Ackerman.
Following a REMIX screening of poignant documentary For Ahkeem, filmmaker Landon Van Soest and ACLU Racial Justice Program Director Dennis Parker sat down with Creative Culture Fellow Crystal Kayiza.
Filmmaker Mickey Lemle sat down with JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman following a screening of his film, The Last Dalai Lama?, during our 2018 Meditative Life series.
Krisna Das and Jane Kolleeny of the Garrison Institute participated in an audience Q&A following a screening in our series The Meditative Life: Meaning, Happiness, and Connection.
