Schedule Set for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in February

The schedule is set and tickets are on sale for the 25th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The festival will take place at various theaters from February 19th to March 16th.

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) has revealed the lineup for its milestone 25th anniversary edition, running Feb. 19 to March 16. This year’s festival will present 50 films – 22 documentaries and 28 narrative works – that celebrate the diversity of Jewish experiences around the globe.

Festival Highlights and Special Events include:

• Opening Night & Reception (Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre): Begin the festival with an exclusive Members-Only Gala and a screening of Bad Shabbos (2024).
• Young Professionals Night (Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Plaza Theatre): This night promises an evening of entertainment and connection with a 20th anniversary screening of When Do We Eat? (2005). Director Salvador Litvak and Writer Nina Litvak will be in attendance for a post-screening conversation.
• Field Trip Screening (Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center and Friday, Feb. 28 at the Tara Theatre): An educational initiative welcoming students from across metro Atlanta to experience the power of film and dialogue at an Atlanta premiere of the documentary Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire (2024), which will include a conversation with director and writer Oren Rudavsky.
• Closing Night & Awards Show (Wednesday, March 5 at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center): Celebrate the festival with Jury Award presentations, a dessert reception, and the Atlanta premiere screening of Brazil’s Cheers to Life (2025) to cap off this milestone event. Director Cris D’Amato and producer Julio Uchoa will be in attendance.
• Spotlight Screenings: AJFF celebrates the brilliance of Jerry Lewis with two unforgettable screenings that showcase his artistic range: the Southeast premiere of the 2024 documentary From Darkness to Light, which explores the troubled production of The Day the Clown Cried, the notorious lost Holocaust movie that haunted him for years; and a stunning digital restoration of The Bellboy (1960). Jerry’s son, Christopher J. Lewis, joins for engaging Q&As and book signings, offering a personal glimpse into his father’s life and lasting influence.

Audiences will also be treated to both live and recorded Q&A sessions along with the films.

The categories include Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Film, Emerging Filmmaker, Building Bridges (films that promote understanding among diverse groups) and Human Rights. (films that capture the perseverance and strength of individuals facing bigotry, inequality, and persecution)

Trailers and previews are available, and tickets are very reasonably priced. Purchase tickets by first selecting the evening you want to attend. Be sure to read the description for each event. Some evenings include live music, performances and food.