In this heartwarming, upbeat Sephardic family saga set in the 1960s, Esther Perez—a spirited Moroccan-Jewish immigrant raising six children in the Parisian suburbs—will do anything to give her youngest son the best possible life despite his physical setbacks. Born with a clubfoot, little Roland is unable to walk, yet his mother (portrayed by Leïla Bekhti, in a flamboyant, tour-de-force performance) is undeterred, even as her limitless devotion grows increasingly complicated. This colorful, energetic adaptation of an autobiographical novel by French writer and radio personality Roland Perez swept the French box office and features the nostalgic sounds of French pop classics—including iconic songs by Jewish music legend Sylvie Vartan, who plays herself in the film. Once Upon My Mother is a universal celebration of the extraordinary lengths to which parents will go for their children.

Winner: Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature—San Diego International Jewish Film Festival (2026)

Winner: Audience Award for Best Narrative—Miami Jewish Film Festival (2026)

Winner: Audience Choice Award—Toronto Jewish Film Festival (2025)