The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has announced its 24th edition film lineup, set for an expanded 24-day event Feb. 13-26, 2024, in theaters, and a streaming encore from Feb. 27-March 7. This format includes 14 days of in-theater screenings and 10 days of online streaming, enhancing the festival’s reach and accessibility.
Anticipated films include the Israel-set musical Victory, the documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, the animated Where is Anne Frank, the dramedy Running on Sand and the drama One Life starring Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter. Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen’s documentary feature opus Occupied City will also make its Atlanta premiere.
Hosted across five Metro Atlanta venues – the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, the Tara Theatre, the historic Plaza Theatre in Midtown, GTC Merchants Walk in East Cobb, and Springs Cinema & Taphouse in Sandy Springs – the festival promises an immersive cinematic experience. Along with the screenings, audiences will enjoy live and pre-recorded Q&A sessions with international film artists, local community leaders, and expert speakers, complemented by a range of special events.
This year’s lineup features a diverse array of 48 feature films and 15 shorts from 20 countries, including three World Premieres, six North American Premieres, two U.S. Premieres, and 13 Southeast Premieres. With 31 films screening exclusively in theaters and a specially curated selection of 17 features and 15 shorts available for streaming in the Virtual Cinema, the festival caters to both in-person and online audiences.
Special events include an Opening Night screening of Irena’s Vow, a wartime drama about a Catholic housemaid who saves Polish Jews during WWII. Special guests include Sophie Nelisse, Dougray Scott, and Irena’s daughter, Jeannie. This event will be held at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Reception at 5:30 pm, Program at 7:30 pm.
Young Professionals Night is on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14, at the Tara Theatre, party at 6:30 pm, film at 8 pm The film is Less than Kosher, a musical comedy about a struggling singer who becomes a cantor in Toronto. A Spotlight Screening Feb. 15, Tara Theatre, 7:40 pm is Breaking Home Ties, the world Premiere of a restored 1922 silent classic with a new soundtrack by contemporary artists, featuring live musical performances. A “Late Night at Plazadrome” film Feb. 15, Plaza Theatre, 9:00 pm is The Plot Against Harry, an American cinema treasure humorously exploring a former mobster’s quest for redemption.
And Closing Night & Jury Awards will feature Shari and Lamb Chop, an enchanting journey into the world of a trailblazing artist and her iconic puppet. This event will be held at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, with the program at 7:00 pm, followed by dessert.
The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is proud to present its distinguished jury for this year’s festival. The jury will evaluate submissions in several categories, each focusing on different aspects of filmmaking excellence including narrative features, documentary features, short films, emerging filmmakers, “building bridges” and “human rights.”
Noteworthy industry members serving as jurors include Dara Jaffe, associate Curator at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and film historian; Eric Warren Singer, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, Top Gun: Maverick and American Hustle; Alton Brown, TV chef, producer, director and cinema enthusiast; Clayton Landey, actor and former President of SAG-AFTRA Atlanta; Rebecca Shrager, CEO and Founder of People Store Talent Agency; Rain Pryor, writer, actor, director, and daughter of Richard Pryor; and Lyn Goldfarb, Oscar-nominated, award-winning independent filmmaker.
Ticketing for the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opens with a special pre-sale exclusively for AJFF members, starting on Jan. 17 at noon. The general public will have the opportunity to purchase tickets beginning Jan. 31, also at noon. Ticket prices are set at $18 for evening and weekend shows, and $16 for matinees. For those wishing to enjoy the festival from the comfort of their home, tickets for Virtual Cinema streaming are available at $18 per household. Special event pricing varies, with tickets ranging from $18 to $180. Learn more at AJFF.org/tickets.