31 Candles is a romantic comedy about Leo Kadner, who has his Bar Mitzvah at the age of 31 after discovering his former camp crush, Eva Shapiro, is now a Torah tutor for kids in Manhattan.
Set in New York City, the film follows 30-year-old Leo (Jonah Feingold), a Christmas movie writer who never had his Bar Mitzvah. When he reconnects with Eva (Sarah Coffey) — his childhood crush and now a Torah tutor — Leo decides it's finally time to become a man.
What begins as a nostalgic crush evolves into a heartfelt exploration of love, identity, and family. Along the way, Leo navigates complicated situationships, reconnects with his divorced parents, and faces his own immaturity — all while planning the most belated Bar Mitzvah imaginable.
31 Candles is Jonah Feingold's fifth feature and his most personal yet — a story about tradition, growing up (late), and how far someone will go for love.
Synopsis: Set in New York City, 31 Candles follows 30-year-old Leo, a Christmas movie writer who never had his Bar Mitzvah. When he reconnects with Eva Shapiro — his childhood crush and now a Torah tutor — Leo decides it's finally time to become a man. The film blends the heart of Nora Ephron, the wit of Albert Brooks, the comedy of Sandler, and the romance of New York. Filmed entirely on location — including Central Park, Barney Greengrass, and The Museum of Jewish Heritage.
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🎬 FULL CREDITS
PRODUCERS
Produced by Jonah Weinstein
Produced by Hannah Welever
DIRECTOR
Written, Directed & Edited by Jonah Feingold
PRODUCTION
Unit Production Manager: Hannah Welever
First Assistant Director: Emily Cohn
2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Ellie Haines
Production Supervisor: Madison Ginsberg
Production Coordinator: Hope McCullough
Location Consultant: Brad Reichel
CAST (In Order of Appearance)
Leo – Jonah Feingold
Eva Shapiro – Sarah Coffey
Luca – Joey Dardano
Maria – Lauren Servideo
Lila – Caroline Aaron
Jensie – Noa Fisher
Susan – Jackie Sandler
Millie – Lauren Servideo
Molly – Djouliet Amara
Mark – Seth Barrish
Zoe – Katarina Zhu
Greg – Jared Freid
Isabel Cohen – Hannah Pilkes
Silvia Amato – Antoinette Lavecchia
Producer – Larry Owens
Rabbi Zeldin – Judy Gold
Jaya – Lori Tan Chinn
Christmas Guy – Dale Moss
Christmas Girl – Megan Bitchell
Sally – Zoe Hoffman
James – Derrick Delgado
Trent – Kareem Rahma
Redbull Girl – Marialena Mouaikel
ADDITIONAL PRODUCERS & EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Executive Producer: Caroline Aaron
Executive Producer: Spencer Barkoff
Executive Producer: John B. O'Rourke
Executive Producer: Marshall Sandman
Executive Producer: Jeremy Jacobowitz
Executive Producer: Cathy Glick
Executive Producer: Josh Glick
Associate Producer: Lauren Guiteras
Associate Producer: Ellyn Heald
CAMERA
Director of Photography: Lauren Guiteras
1st AC: Julia Crytser
Additional 1st AC: Hannah Freeman
2nd AC: Miranda Prise
Camera Utility: Tamar Schwarz
CONTINUITY
Script Supervisor: Brenna Power
PRODUCTION SOUND
Production Sound Mixer: Elias Rivera
Additional Sound Mixers: Tim Perdoch, Harry Flax
Boom Operators: Amanda Sarabia, Lily Cunningham
ART
Production Designer: Stephanie Osin Cohen
SET DECORATION
Set Decorator: Gerardo Diaz Sanchez
PROPS
Property Master: Kymberly Fitzgerald
Assistant Property Master: Nick Laughlin
Art Department PA: Madeline Prezios
CASTING
Casting by Jonah Weinstein
Extras Casting: Marialena Mouaikel & Alex Davis
INTIMACY COORDINATION
Intimacy Coordinator: Amy Northup
COACHES / CONSULTANTS
Jewish Consultants: Todd Shotz & Jonah Weinstein
COSTUME
Costume Designers: Jessica Wegrzyn & Cassie Elsaesser
Suit Provided by: Bureau
HAIR & MAKEUP
HMU Department Head: Jane Serenska
HMU Assistants: Addison Thompson, Peyton Thompson, Meredith Megehan, Gianna Guierino
GRIP
Key Grip: Adam Reichardt
Best Grip: Lilly Alban
Grips: Kylie Esco, Charlie Hernandez, Yoel Collado, Cosmo Dirks
ELECTRIC
Gaffer: Callum Shaw
Best Electric: Adam Mantell
Electricians: Christoph Russi, Rustam Caspian, Andre T. Bonk, Cal Blomquist, Keith Decristo
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Key PA: Heather Luscombe
PAs: Paul Lucero, Ed Weinstein, Yonah Sadeh, Lucrezia “Pippi” Bolfo, Estee Daveed, Renee Webber
Set Intern: Alex Davis
Assistant to Jonah Feingold: Marialena Mouaikel
LEGAL & ACCOUNTING
Legal: Jennifer Ambrose, Esq.
Accounting: Ken Barkoff, Michael Williams
CATERING
Catering: The Good Daughter
Head Chef: Alex Koones
EDITORIAL
Editor: Jonah Feingold
Additional Editing: Morgan Neville
Assistant Editor: Sophie Worm
Motion Graphics Artist: Gustavo Rosa
VFX Artist: Jeremy Freedberg
End Credits Designer: Travis Cummings
Dailies Processing: Good Trouble, LLC
ORIGINAL SCORE
Composer: Grant Fonda
Composer Assistant: Christopher Enloe
Music Preparation: Christopher Enloe & Emma Most
Score Published by: Jorgan Music
Scoring Coordinator: Camille Hecks
Flute Soloist: Rebeca Enloe
Score Mixed at Cross Street Studio, Los Angeles
POST-PRODUCTION PICTURE SERVICES
Picture Finishing: Goldcrest Post NY
Colorist: Sean Dunckley
Senior Conform Artist: Twain Richardson
DI Assist: Dan Dragicevich
Data I/O Manager: Bennie Deter
DI Producer: Wade Rudolph
POST-PRODUCTION SOUND SERVICES
Sound Finishing: Goldcrest Post NY
Re-recording Mixer: Allan Gus
Supervising Sound Editor / Dialogue Editor: Allan Gus
Sound Effects Editor: Michael Suarez
Mix Assistant: Samantha Doyle
ADR Mixer: Basia Chelchowski
ADR Coordinator: Raina Cagiao
Sound Department Manager: Nicole Tessier
VENDORS
Equipment: Hand Held Films
Camera Support: That Cat Rentals
SONGS
“After You Get What You Want, You Don’t Want It” — Written by Irving Berlin, Performed by Van & Schenck
“After You Get What You Want, You Don’t Want It” — Written by Irving Berlin, Performed by Sarah Coffey
“Oseh Shalom” — Written by Nurit Hirsh, Performed by Sarah Coffey & Judy Gold
SPECIAL THANKS
The Feingold Family • Aneesh Chaganty • Anoop Chaganty • Tracy Kopulsky • Jordan Lonner • Billy Offer • Harrison Corwin • Mimi Tompkins • Luke Lenza • Jeremy Mittelman • Max Maulitz • Raymond Tambe • Henry Bornstein • Jordan Laws • ARRI Production Studio • The Museum of Jewish Heritage, A Living Memorial To The Holocaust • Congregation Ansche Chesed
✡ selected critics ✡
✡ audience favorites ✡
The regret of never having a Bar Mitzvah gnaws at me like the hunger during Yom Kippur fast — toppled with a little Grandma guilt. I was reminded of it every time I walked past Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side, where I am still blacklisted for eating a turkey sandwich during a long service.
The truth is, during peak New York City Bar Mitzvah season in 2003-2004, I went to dozens of lavish celebrations. Some were MTV-worthy spectacles, others were intimate and warm. But I never had my own. Partly because of dyslexia, partly because of my parents' divorce. It's always felt like an unfinished part of my identity.
31 Candles is me making peace with that regret — and turning it into a romantic comedy. The film blends the heart of Nora Ephron, the wit of Albert Brooks, the comedy of Sandler, and the romance of New York. It's about finally growing up, but also about how the search for love and belonging never really ends.
🎬 About Jonah Feingold
New York–based filmmaker known for modern romantic comedies with an old-school heart. Debut Dating & New York premiered at Tribeca 2021, sold to IFC. Directed At Midnight (Paramount+, 2023) and EXmas (Amazon, 2023) — Freevee's most-watched original holiday comedy. 31 Candles is his fifth feature. Currently in post on Busboys (David Spade & Theo Von) and developing The Spy That Got Away with Alexandra Daddario.
sign the guestbook!! tell us what u thought of the movie!!
Upload ur old Bar/Bat Mitzvah pics & like ur favorites!! The cringier the better — frosted tips, oversized suits, awkward slow dancing... most liked = pole position 👑
UPLOAD UR BAR MITZVAH PHOTO!!
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📸 THE WALL 📸
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Take a selfie and get a keepsake photo strip from Leo's Bar Mitzvah!! 🎉✡
BAR MITZVAH PHOTO BOOTH
Step right up! Take a selfie and get a wacky keepsake photo from Leo Kattner's Bar Mitzvah!!
[ requires camera permission — works on phone or computer!! ]
🖼️ PHOTO BOOTH GALLERY 🖼️
Everyone who shared their booth photos!! 📸