The Jewish Kids Film Festival
Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movie Contest
Due Date Extended to October 22!
Calling All Young Jewish Filmmakers!
Jewish Kids Media, the creator of Mitzvah Power Academy books and programs, is excited to announce a new Jewish Kids Film Festival competition called the Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movie Contest*! In honor of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the contest honors films that express “Super Menschy” New Year’s messages. There are two age divisions for young filmmakers: Junior (ages 5-8) and Senior (ages 9-12). Grownups are welcome to help. Films should be 3 minutes or less, in MP4 or MOV format and can be filmed using a phone camera. Children, with parent’s permission, should enter by September 15, 2025 on MitzvahPower.com. See below for the Entry Form and what our entrants will win! (* Shanah Tovah means Happy New Year.)
Here are a few “super menschy” movie ideas:
Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movies may be created any way the young filmmaker wants. Here are a few “super menschy” movie ideas to get started:
A Rosh Hashanah wish for your family, community or the world
A super menschy mitzvah (good deed) you plan to do this year
A fun video “Shanah Tovah” new years card for family and friends
A super menschy project you are doing with your friends, like planting trees
An “I’m Sorry” message to someone and a pledge to do better in the new year
Make it Easy, Fun, Super Menschy and Sweet!
The movie can be in the form of skits, stories, songs, animations, puppet shows, cooking demos, pet tricks, art works or any other expressive video format. Our motto for young filmmakers is, “Make it easy, make it fun, make it SUPER SUPER MENSCHY!” In honor of Rosh Hashanah…also make it super sweet!!
Please watch the Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movie Contest introductory video as seen HERE and share it with friends. For more inspiration, watch our first Jewish Kids Film Festival winning films by Lev and Lila HERE.
HONORS AND Prizes
All participants will be honored with a Menschy Award certificate, a digital download of Mitzvah Power Academy Book 1, and have their film featured in the Jewish Kids Film Festival Theater at MitzvahPower.com.
The top film in each age group will receive an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids 16GB tablet.
Fifteen Grand Prize Winners in our Junior and Senior divisions in the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor categories will receive additional awards and prizes, which may include a Mitzvah Power Backpack, Mitzvah Power Academy T-Shirt and Mitzvah Power Academy Books.
FILL IN THE FORM below with a grownup’s help to enter the Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movie Contest. Entries are due Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 5 p.m(extended date). Pacific Time. Make sure your film is 3 minutes or less and is in a MP4 or MOV file format. The filmmaker must be between ages 5-8 years old for the junior division or 9-12 for the senior division. Grownups can help.
Grownups must provide their permission below for the film to be displayed on MitzvahPower.com in the “Jewish Kids Film Festival Theater”, on the Mitzvah Power Academy YouTube Channel and other venues for educational and promotional purposes pertaining to the Jewish Kids Film Festival and Mitzvah Power Academy. You can opt out at any time. Filmmakers will be identified by first name and city only. Contact Rabbi Linda Bernstein at rabbilindabernstein@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
1st JEWISH KIDS FILM FESTIVAL
Grand Prize Winners: Jewish Kids Film Festival!
We’re excited to share the two Grand Prize winners of the Jewish Kids Film Festival—a joyful celebration of kindness, creativity, and Jewish values.
Mazel tov to all our winners—and thank you to every kid (and grown-up helper) who shared their creative spirit with us! These videos are a shining example of what it means to do good and be menschy.
"Puppies are menschy too" by Lila
A heartwarming tale of loyalty, love, and menschiness—
with a four-legged hero who steals the show!
Best Actor: River the Dog
Best Supporting: Lila
"10 Super Menschy Things" by Lev
A fast-paced, fun-filled countdown of good deeds and great ideas for being a mensch!
Best Actor: Miri
Best Supporting: Mommy Julie and Ivria