Zaida: A Documentary

With no prior documentary experience, Sophie made her documentary short, Zaida, after the riot in Charlottesville in 2017. She was overwhelmed with an urgent need to share her grandfather's story. Sophie’s Zaida escaped from the Holocaust at the age of 12 and went on to become a globally recognized psychoanalyst, dedicating his life's work to the prevention of prejudice. With so few survivors left, telling his story felt more urgent than ever.

Zaida has since reached audiences across the country, screening at The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, The Boston Jewish Film Festival, Indy Film Fest, St. Louis International Film Fest, The Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival, The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Flickers' Rhode Island International Roving Eye Film Festival, The Jacob Burns Jewish Film Festival, and at The Coronado Island Film Festival, where it won The Best Documentary Short Jury Award, and The Best Documentary Short Audience Award.

Zaida has also screened at museums, schools, and community centers across the country.

 

Recent News

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"Zaida" Screening and Director Q&A at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
"Zaida" Screening and Director Q&A at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

We were lucky enough to screen “Zaida” at the Museum of Jewish Heritage where over 200 people virtually attended.

Director Sophie Parens Reframes Surviving the Unthinkable in her Debut Documentary, “Zaida”
Director Sophie Parens Reframes Surviving the Unthinkable in her Debut Documentary, “Zaida”

Three years ago, artist Sophie Parens set out to direct her first documentary on her grandfather, Henri Parens. At age 12, Henri escaped from the Holocaust and went on to become a globally recognized psychoanalyst, dedicating his life's work to the prevention of prejudice. With her documentary Zaida, Sophie reframes one of the 20th century’s most horrific incidents while simultaneously celebrating her grandfather's legacy. Interview by Rachel Cabitt.

Follow Zaida Here.