Miami Jewish Film Festival: Opening Night

A celebratory opening night sets the tone for the 29th edition of the Miami Jewish Film Festival with the Southeast U.S. premiere of the French box-office hit Once Upon My Mother at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

Taking place on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m., the screening presents a warmly spirited family saga inspired by Roland Perez’s bestselling autobiography. Set in France beginning in the early 1960s, the film follows Esther Perez, a Moroccan-Jewish immigrant and mother of six, whose unwavering devotion and belief in possibility drive her to challenge medical predictions surrounding her newborn son’s disability. The story unfolds over decades, tracing the force of maternal love as both a personal and transformative power.

Anchored by a luminous performance from Leïla Bekhti, the film balances humor and emotional depth, pairing vibrant period visuals with a soundtrack rich in French pop nostalgia. Cinematography by Guillaume Schiffman adds to the film’s buoyant tone, while a cameo by singer Sylvie Vartan nods to the era’s cultural landscape.

The evening includes a special appearance by director Ken Scott, who will introduce the film and participate in a post-screening conversation. Scott, a Canadian filmmaker known for blending comedy with heartfelt storytelling, brings additional context to this opening-night presentation.