

BEST DOCUMENTARY - Wilbur Awards | BEST DOCUMENTARY - Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
Rising Antisemitism and Hate Crimes • Interfaith Unity and Allyship • Courage Under Pressure • Empowerment Through Preparedness • Trauma, Healing, and Community Response • Hope and Humanity in the Face of Extremism
Date of Completion: 2024 | Run Time: 80 minutes | Language: English | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director, Producer & Writer: Dani Menkin
COLLEYVILLE is a powerful feature documentary that takes viewers inside the harrowing 11-hour hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. Through never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews, the film offers a gripping account of survival, courage, and resilience under unimaginable pressure. At its heart is Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, whose calm leadership and interfaith values helped save lives and inspire millions.
More than a true-crime thriller, COLLEYVILLE explores the human experience behind a national news event. It highlights the strength of Jewish communities, the power of faith, and the importance of allyship in the fight against rising antisemitism. The film also examines how empathy, training, and interfaith relationships played a crucial role in the hostage's survival and the community's healing.
Winner of multiple awards including the Wilbur Award for excellence in storytelling that promotes religious and social understanding, COLLEYVILLE is a timely and emotionally resonant tool for education and discussion. It is suitable for high school and college audiences, and ideal for classrooms, interfaith groups, and security training programs.
The film sparks important conversations about identity, hate, faith, and what it means to stand up for one another — even in the darkest of times.
The Forward
“A high-octane thriller.”
The Jewish Journal
“Colleyville keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Texas Jewish Post
“Excellent made.”
AWARDS
Best Documentary | Wilbur Awards
Best Documentary | Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
Audience Award | Houston Jewish Film Festival
FESTIVALS
Docaviv International Film Festival
RiverRun International Film Festival
Phoenix International Film Festival
Miami Jewish Film Festival
FILM SCREENINGS
USC Shoah Foundation
And many more across the U.S. and internationally