FilmMatters Catalogue
FilmMatters is pleased to provide free detailed lesson plans for each of the films screened in the programme. These study guides provide a direct link between the subject matter of a film and the Ontario school curriculum. They serve as a gateway to further discussion, discourse and learning.
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL
Grade 5 – 8
Themes:
Coming of Age, Heroism, Family Ties, France During the Occupation
Belle and Sebastian
104 min, French/German (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 4 – 8
Themes:
Coming of Age, Heroism, Secrets & Lies, French Resistance, Relationship Between Humans & Animals
Grade 5 – 8
Themes:
Identity, Intersectionality, Religion, Feminism, Tikkun Olam
Grade 7 – 12
Themes:
Holocaust, Overcoming Adversity, Healing Power of Art, Music and Literature
Grade 5 – 8
Themes:
Refugees, Coming of Age, Family
Grade 7 – 12
Themes:
Deaf Culture, Self Expression, Cultural Identities
Grade 7 – 9
Themes:
Peer Pressure, Adolescence, Bullying, Sexuality, Parent-Child
A Jewish Girl in Shanghai
80 min, Mandarin (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 4 – 6
Themes:
WWII, Second Sino-Japanese War, Friendship, Religious & Cultural Diversity
Grade 7 – 9
Themes:
Holocaust, Coming of Age, Generational Trauma, Father-Son Relationships
Grade 7 – 10
Themes:
Holocaust, Overcoming Disability, Religious Identity
Grade 7 – 9
Themes:
Friendship, Coming of Age, Heroism, Secrets and Lies, Dutch Resistance
Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog
93 min, English
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 5 – 8
Themes:
Holocaust, Coming of Age, Relationship Between Humans & Animals
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
119 min, English/German/Swiss German/French (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 5 – 8
Themes:
Refugees, Anti-Semitism and WWII, Family
The Zigzag Kid
95 min, Dutch/French/English (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 5 – 7
Themes:
Coming of Age, Family Relationships, Illusion vs. Reality
HIGH SCHOOL
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Holocaust, Activism, Citizenship
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Learning from the Past, Heroes, Stereotypes
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Religion in a Secular Society, Family, Child/Parent Relationships, Love and Marriage, Jewish/Muslim Relations
A Bottle in the Gaza Sea
99 min, Hebrew/Arabic/French (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Arab-Israeli Conflict, Terrorism, War, Coming of Age, Overcoming Stereotypes
Grade 7 – 12
Themes:
Holocaust, Overcoming Adversity, Healing Power of Art, Music and Literature
The Children of Chance
95 min, French/Yiddish (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Coming of Age, WWII, Coping with Sickness
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Identity, Overcoming Adversity, Inspirational Teachers
Grade 7 – 12
Themes:
Deaf Culture, Self Expression, Cultural Identities
Grade 11 – 12
Themes:
Gangs, Conflict Resolution, Black-Jewish Relations
Grade 7 – 9
Themes:
Peer Pressure, Adolescence, Bullying, Sexuality, Parent-Child
Joachim Prinz: I Shall Not Be Silent
57 min, English
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 11 – 12
Themes:
Holocaust, Black-Jewish Relations, Civil Rights Movement
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Genocide, Activism, Citizenship
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Grade 7 – 9
Themes:
Holocaust, Coming of Age, Generational Trauma, Father-Son Relationships
Grade 11 – 12
Themes:
Identity, Transracial Adoption, Gay Marriage
Grade 10 – 12
Themes:
Diversity, Holocaust, French Society, Inspirational Teachers
Orthodox Stance
83 min, English/Hebrew/Spanish/
Russian (w/e.s.t.)
Contact filmmatters@tjff.ca to arrange a screening
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Boxing and Religion, Bridging Between Cultures, The American Dream
Grade 7 – 10
Themes:
Holocaust, Overcoming Disability, Religious Identity
Grade 10 – 12
Themes:
Father-Son Relationships, Inspirational Teachers, Coming of Age, Character and Identity, Education
Grade 7 – 9
Themes:
Friendship, Coming of Age, Heroism, Secrets and Lies, Dutch Resistance
Grade 9 – 12
Themes:
Personal Biographies, Overcoming Adversity, Inspirational Teachers
Grade 10 – 12
Themes:
Holocaust, Student Activism, Civics
Grade 11 – 12
Themes:
Racism, Ethiopian Jewry, Generational Conflict


© 2025 Toronto Jewish Film Festival. All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms of Use Designed & Developed by Overdrive (Design Limited)