Dunwoody Hosting 19th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

ATLANTA, GA -- The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) has announced its full lineup and official schedule for the 19th annual event, returning with a new timeframe from February 6 through February 26. The festival will present 180 screenings, with an international collection of 76 films from 24 countries, at various Atlanta venues including Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Regal Perimeter Pointe, Regal Atlantic Station, UA Tara Cinemas, and The Woodruff Arts Center.

This year, moviegoers can expect to find a diversity of films representing a range of genres—drama, comedy, romance, horror, documentaries and biographies, and more—as well as a variety of topics, including life in Israel, anti-Semitism, the LGBTQ experience, the arts, journalism, social justice issues, among others.

In line with AJFF’s mission to use the power of film to create community dialogue, screenings will transcend the traditional movie experience with select post-film Q&A conversations with filmmakers, actors, community leaders, academics and other experts such as: actor Nevo Kimchi from “Shoelaces” on Opening Night; director Lisa Dapolito of “Love, Gilda;” director Avi Nesher of “The Other Story;” author and filmmaker Amanda Sthers of “Holy Lands;” photographer and subject of the film Henri Dauman for “Henri Dauman: Looking Up;” actor Géza Röhrig and director Shawn Snyder for “To Dust;” Oscar-nominated actress Lena Olin of “Enemies, A Love Story;” and television host Steak Shapiro and filmmakers Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman for “Chewdaism: A Taste of Jewish Montreal” on Closing Night.

The festival brings a number of world, U.S., and regional premieres including:See the world on film this year with numerous international features. “A Fortunate Man,” a sweeping romance set in 19th century Copenhagen, hails from Denmark; “It Must Schwing!: The Blue Note Story,” a toe-tapping story of two German-Jewish immigrants who created the most iconic jazz label in industry history, comes to us from Germany; and “The Interpreter,” a bittersweet road movie full of melancholic humor that transverses complex moral and historical territory is from Slovakia. Young Professionals Night kicks off with the North American premiere of Mexican film “Leona,” an empowering story of a young woman who finds herself torn between her Syrian-Jewish family and a forbidden love. Many of the films in this year’s lineup also highlight life in Israel including the Opening Night film “Shoelaces” and “The Unorthodox.”

Many films this year tackle issues of topical concern. “Working Woman” and “The Tale” embody the #MeToo movement with their portrayals of sexual harassment and abuse. The focus shifts to gender identity in “Family in Transition,” earning accolades for its account of an Israeli father who decides to become a woman. A captivating look at the growing underbelly of white nationalism, and the countervailing voices it inspired, can be seen in the exposé “Alt-Right: Age of Rage.”

For fans of short films, there are four shorts programs to enjoy throughout the 2019 festival. These programs offer a different way to experience the artistry of storytelling and feature a variety of genres, styles, and subject matter. This year, audiences can look forward to the world premiere of “Tuesdays are for Burekas” and “Vanity of Vanities” and numerous other U.S. and regional premieres.

Crowd-pleasing cinema takes center stage with “Holy Lands,” a comedic family drama starring James Caan, and classic films like “The Frisco Kid,” an offbeat buddy adventure and Western comedy starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. The festival ends with a hilarious journey following two best friends who have returned to their hometown to explore their heritage through food in “Chewdaism: A Taste of Jewish Montreal.”

Tickets go on sale via AJFF.org beginning Monday, January 28. Ticket prices include:

• $36 for Opening Night General Admission (includes complimentary parking and film)
• $36 for Young Professionals Night, Presented by ACCESS (includes pre-show party and film)
• $36 for Closing Night (includes complimentary parking, film, and post-screening food tasting)
• $15 for General Admission
• $13 for Matinees and Seniors/Students/Children

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Image Futography LLC