The Vancouver Jewish Film Festival, running from April 30 to May 10, 2026, once again brings an exceptional collection of films that explore powerful themes of survival, identity, and justice. We are pleased to highlight three remarkable films featured in this year’s lineup, each telling a unique and compelling story. For the full festival program, visit the official festival website.

Martha Liebermann – A Stolen Life

In the midst of the harrowing chaos of Nazi-occupied Berlin, Martha Liebermann – A Stolen Life recounts the true story of Martha Liebermann, the widow of renowned German Impressionist Max Liebermann. Played with moving depth by Thekla Carola Wied, Martha faces an agonizing decision: to leave behind her beloved home and risk losing everything, or to stay and face certain deportation under the Nazi regime.

Set in 1943, the film depicts her determination to safeguard her late husband's priceless art collection, which had become a symbol of his legacy. In a desperate bid for survival, Martha partners with a resistance group, all while navigating the ever-present dangers posed by the Gestapo and a treacherous officer who threatens her at every turn. Her bravery and resilience shine through as she battles not only external threats but also the emotional weight of a life upended by war.

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 8:30 PM
Venue: Fifth Avenue Cinemas | 2110 Burrard St | Vancouver, BC
Language: German with English Subtitles

Schächten

Schächten (2025), set against the backdrop of post-war Austria, tells a deeply emotional story of justice and revenge. The film follows Victor Dessauer, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, who, as a child, witnessed the brutal murder of his grandparents and the deportation of his parents to Mauthausen concentration camp. After losing his entire family, Victor survives the war by hiding in plain sight.

Two decades later, Victor and his father are confronted with the shocking discovery that Kurt Gogl, the Nazi officer responsible for the deaths of Victor's mother and sister, is still living in Austria as a free man, working as a school principal. In an effort to bring him to justice, they enlist the help of Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. However, Gogl's acquittal in the Austrian courts sets Victor on a dangerous path, leading him to confront his family's killer face-to-face in an effort to secure the confession that justice never provided.

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 6:15 PM
Venue: Fifth Avenue Cinemas | 2110 Burrard St | Vancouver, BC
Language: German with English Subtitles

The Stamp Thief

The Stamp Thief (2025) takes viewers on an immersive, decades-long journey to right a wrong committed during the Holocaust. During World War II, a rogue Nazi officer tasked with cataloging Jewish property looted millions of dollars' worth of stamps from Jewish families being sent to concentration camps. He buried this treasure in the basement of his home in what is now Poland, but it remained hidden for over 70 years.

Fast forward to the present day: a group of Americans, led by one-time Seinfeld producer Gary Gilbert, sets out to recover the stolen stamps. Armed with a detailed map and a plan to unearth the treasure, they embark on a mission that blends crime, history, and suspense. What begins as an effort to return these priceless artifacts to their rightful owners takes unexpected turns, leading to a shocking and thrilling conclusion.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026, 4:00 PM
Venue: Fifth Avenue Cinemas | 2110 Burrard St | Vancouver, BC
Language: English