This year’s 25th edition of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival will feature a new comedy “Bad Shabbos” starring Kyra Sedgwick, a documentary about actor Charles Grodin and a celebration of comedian Jerry Lewis.
“Bad Shabbos” will debut in Atlanta on opening night Feb. 19 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, with many of the actors expected to be in attendance for the screening including Sedgwick (”The Closer”), Jon Bass (”Miracle Workers”), hip-hop legend Method Man and Milana Vayntrub, who is best known as Lily in the AT&T ads.
The festival, which is set to run through March 6, will also feature the world premiere of “Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause”; the 2024 documentary “Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire,” which will include a conversation with director and writer Oren Rudavsky; and two films focused on Lewis.
There will be a Southeast debut of the 2024 documentary “From Darkness to Light,” which explores the troubled production of Lewis’ “The Day the Clown Cried” — a notorious, unfinished Holocaust movie that haunted him for years — and a digital restoration of Lewis' 1960 film “The Bellboy.” Lewis’ son, Christopher J. Lewis, will be coming to Atlanta for a Q&A and book signing, offering a personal glimpse into his father’s life and lasting influence.
The 51 films ― 23 documentaries and 28 scripted works ― plus three shorts programs explore the diversity of Jewish experiences around the globe, according to Kenny Blank, executive and artistic director of the film festival for two decades.
“Our 25th anniversary represents a quarter-century of fostering connections and understanding through the transformative power of cinema,” Blank said. “This year’s lineup not only highlights stories that resonate deeply with Jewish life but also redefines what it means to be a ‘Jewish’ film. It’s about the intersection of Jewish experiences with the broader world, creating space for meaningful dialogue and connection between communities.”
The organization is also launching the Kenny Blank Vision Initiative, which turns the festival into a year-round expansion of programming in education and community relations, as well as the start of a Filmmaker Fund to help the next generation of storytellers.
The closing night awards show on March 5 at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center will feature the Atlanta premiere of the Brazilian comedy-drama “Cheers to Life.”
Theaters participating in the festival this year include Springs Cinema & Taphouse, the historic Plaza Theatre and the Tara Theatre.
Tickets go on sale for AJFF members Jan. 22 and the general public Feb. 5 on AJFF.org or by calling 678-701-6104.
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