The Jewish Kids Film Festival

Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movie Contest

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 the meaning of the holiday, show “mitzvot” or “Super Menschy” good deeds and offer New Year’s messages to family, friends and the world.

CONTEST GUIDE:

WHO:

Individuals and groups may enter, including families, classrooms, youth groups, synagogues, and JCC’s.

AGES:

There are two divisions. Prizes will be awarded within each age group.

Junior (ages 5-8)

Senior (ages 9-12)

FORMAT:

Films should be 3 minutes or less, in MP4 or MOV format and can be filmed using a phone camera. Grownups are welcome to help.

HOW TO ENTER:

Children, with parent’s permission, should enter by September 15, 2026 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 MENSCHY!” In honor of Rosh Hashanah…also make it super sweet!!  

HONORS AND Prizes

ALL ENTRANTS RECEIVE:

All participants will be honored with a Menschy Award certificate, a digital download of a Mitzvah Power Academy Book, and have their film featured in the Super Menschy Movie Theater at MitzvahPower.com.‍ ‍

GRAND PRIZES

GRAND PRIZE for BEST PICTURE in the Junior and Senior divisions is an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids 16GB tablet.

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.

TO ENTER

  1. THE FORM: Fill in the Form below with a grownup’s help to enter the Shanah Tovah Super Menschy Movie Contest. Entries are due September 15, 2026 at 5 p.m Pacific Time.

  2. FORMAT: 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 years old for the Senior division. Grownups can help.

  3. PERMISSION: Grownups must provide their permission below for the film to be displayed on MitzvahPower.com in the “Super Menschy Movie 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.

  4. IDENTIFICATION: Filmmakers will be identified by first name and city only.

  5. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Rabbi Linda Bernstein at rabbilindabernstein@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.