The Seattle Jewish Film Festival, one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in the Pacific Northwest and Jewish film festivals in the country, returns March 14–29, presenting powerful independent and international films that illuminate Jewish life, culture and global stories for everyone. For the 31st, SJFF invites audiences to explore how roots—family, faith, tradition, culture and community—and cinema foster connection and conversations that sustain and unite us.

The Roots + Reels lineup offers festivalgoers a rich blend of tasty special events, guest conversations, and narrative features, documentaries and a curated shorts program, “It Takes a Shtetl!” —bringing people together to share stories, both personal and [extra space] universal.

Opening Night film is ONCE UPON MY MOTHER, a crowd-pleasing and heart-felt French megahit about a devoted immigrant mother whose fierce love moves mountains for her child, followed by a Paris ’60s DJ set and dessert party. AMC Pacific Place, March 14, 8:15 p.m.