Closing Night Film: Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls

About this event

Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls

Central Texas Premiere at the Austin Jewish Film Festival 2026

Closing Night Event with live music from Sara Lee Guthrie

Director: Steven Pressman

Film Trailer: https://youtu.be/GpeddEORyPg?si=X3tWW_n57bnrWO9N

The name Woody Guthrie conjures images of Dust Bowl families from the 1930s fleeing their soil-ravaged farms, along with those famous lyrical phrases, “This land is your land, this land is my land. From California to the New York Island.” However, Woody’s horizons extended far beyond the dusty Oklahoma hills of his youth. Once his wanderings and ramblings brought him to New York City in the 1940s, he was introduced – both personally and professionally – into a vibrant Jewish culture that he wholeheartedly embraced and ultimately had a deep influence on his life and his music. Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls also weaves in the story of Aliza Greenblatt, an immigrant from the Ukraine who later became a prominent Yiddish poet and songwriter — and who also happened to be Woody’s mother-in-law. From the dust storms of Oklahoma to the lox and bagels of Coney Island, discover a whole new side of Woody Guthrie that will forever change your view of one of America’s most celebrated songwriters and cultural icons. Sarah Lee Guthrie, Woody’s granddaughter, will join director Steven Pressman and UT Yiddishist Adrien Smith, for what promises to be a memorable closing night Q&A panel.

Individual Movie Tickets: https://austinjff.org/events/dust/#buynow

Austin Jewish Film Festival Passes: https://austinjff.org/festival/

From Austin Jewish Film Festival