A Holocaust survivor navigates the delicate balance between assimilating to her new American identity and reckoning with her traumatic past, in 1950s Brooklyn.

A deeply empathetic and effective character study, director Joey Schweitzer’s “New Lives” stunned me. Manusha’s (Weronika Wozniak) emotional journey navigating the trauma of her past of her past while confronting the pressures of assimilation is handled with such nuance and respect. I can’t wait to see what Schweitzer makes next.
— Amy Williams, NFFTY Festival Director

Original poster artwork by Martin Andreev

Narrative short - Official selection:

EnergaCAMERIMAGE- Etudes Panorama Section

NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) - Jury Award Nominee Best Narrative (Student) & Programmer’s Pick

Joyce Forum Jewish Film Festival - Best Narrative Short

Boston Jewish Film Festival - Audience Award Winner - Freshflix Shorts Competition

Film Shortage - Daily Picks // Best Pick of the Month

New York University First Run Film Festival - Best Actress Award

Miami Jewish Film Festival

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival

Film Pittsburgh Robinson International Film Competition - Semi Finalist

Greenpoint Film Festival

HollyShorts Monthly Screening Series

New York Shorts International Film Festival

Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival

Big Apple Film Festival

Written & Directed by Joey Schweitzer

Runtime: 19:27

Starring:

Weronika Wozniak

Tony Danieluk

Bart Blachino

Produced by: Henry Rosenbloom

Director of Photography: Kevin Yu

Edited by: Kale Radcliffe

Production Design: Laine Elliot

HMU: AJ Avivah

Original Score: Ryan Wheeler

Sound Design/Mixer: Peter Russell

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Days to Haze