Artistic expression is often the best way to build bridges between cultural divides that too often erupt in violence.

Enter the JxJ: D.C. Jewish Film & Music Festival, which returns from May 11 to May 21 at the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington D.C. in Dupont Circle, as well as the exciting new location of Cinema Arts Theatres in Fairfax, Virginia.

“We have been around for over 30 years since 1990, so 33 years,” Artistic Director Yael Luttwak told WTOP. “It’s been incredible growth, because now we are in movie theaters all across the DMV. Thousands of folks come and watch movies and enjoy concerts. We’re really lucky because we’re one of the most prestigious Jewish film festivals in North America, so we get hundreds of submissions from filmmakers all across the world.”

Listen and read the rest at WTOP