Teaneck International Film Festival Marks 20 Years of Spotlighting Activism Through Cinema

The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) returns in 2025, celebrating its 20th anniversary as a premier platform for socially conscious filmmaking. Established by the Puffin Foundation, TIFF has built a reputation for showcasing films that challenge audiences, ignite dialogue, and inspire meaningful action. With the enduring theme, “Activism: Making Change,” the festival continues to merge artistry with advocacy, connecting filmmakers, audiences, and community leaders in both in-person and virtual formats.

Purpose and Community Impact

TIFF stands out as more than just a film festival. Its mission is to highlight stories that confront social injustices, amplify underrepresented voices, and promote civic engagement. Collaborating with partners such as the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Bergen/Passaic Chapter, and The Links of Bergen County, the festival fosters discussion and reflection on pressing societal issues. This hybrid festival offers screenings at venues across Teaneck, including the Puffin Cultural Forum, Temple Emeth, and Teaneck Cinemas, alongside online options featuring pre-recorded talkbacks with filmmakers.

20th Anniversary Festival Highlights – November 6–13, 2025

Opening Night: The Disappearance of Miss Scott

• A compelling documentary about Hazel Scott, the trailblazing Black musician and the first Black American to host her own television show, opens the festival and sets the tone for TIFF’s focus on historic and contemporary activism.

Featured Screenings:

• Plastic People – This environmental documentary investigates the dangers of microplastics on human health. Screening takes place Sunday, November 9, at 12:30 p.m. at the Puffin Cultural Forum, followed by a panel discussion examining microplastics in New Jersey.
• Saffron Kingdom – Recipient of the inaugural Emerging Filmmaker Activist Award, Arfat Sheikh’s film tells the story of a Kashmiri woman’s escape to America. Screening Sunday, November 9, at 3:00 p.m. at Teaneck Cinemas.
• Home: Two (HU)Men, Silent Force, Your Silence is Loud Cecilia – A short film program exploring themes of migration, identity, and displacement, screened Sunday, November 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Puffin Cultural Forum, accompanied by a live dance performance and Q&A.
• Lilly – Closing the festival, this feature recounts the story of Lilly Ledbetter’s fight for workplace equality, screening Sunday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Emeth.

Additional films scheduled include:

• The Librarians – A documentary linking censorship efforts in Texas to White Christian nationalism.
• Vigilantes Inc.: America’s New Vote Suppression Hitmen – Investigates voter suppression targeting youth and communities of color.
• A World Apart – A comedy-drama following a veteran teacher in a small rural school.
• A Place of Our Own – Chronicles a transgender couple’s search for acceptance in India.
• Among Neighbors – Uses animation to unravel a murder mystery in a rural town during World War II.
• Beyond the Headlines: The NABJ Journey – Explores the critical role of African American journalists in shaping media narratives.

Ticketing and Access

Tickets for all screenings can be purchased in advance through the festival website at www.teaneckfilmfestival.org or at the door on the day of the show. The festival offers a range of pricing options and encourages community participation through accessible ticketing, ensuring that audiences from all backgrounds can experience the power of socially conscious storytelling.

Why Attend

The 20th edition of TIFF reinforces Teaneck’s reputation as a hub for thought-provoking cinema. Audiences can expect an immersive experience, blending film, discussion, and live performances that highlight pressing social issues. Whether exploring voter suppression, environmental hazards, or stories of personal courage, TIFF invites viewers to engage, reflect, and take action.