In 2009, amidst the Inauguration, Sundance, and goodness knows what else, this continuously growing festival sold over 17,000 tickets for 48 films from 20 countries presented in 68 screenings at 3 locations over the course of 12 days. I can only imagine what next year's 10th anniversary will be like…
As it did when I covered it last year, the festival swarmed with enthusiastic moviegoers, anxiously proud filmmakers, actors, and producers there to attend the post-film Q&As, and extremely helpful and friendly volunteers.
Even without the drama of an ice storm things went seemingly without a hitch during the large opening night party, the many sold out showings, the Q&A sessions, and the thoroughly packed closing night event (which featured not only my favorite film of the festival but some of the best chocolate bread pudding I've had… well since the last chocolate bread pudding I had. Try it, you'll like it.)
The films were shown at three locations throughout Atlanta, each wonderfully supportive of independent film, the Regal Atlantic and Lefont cinemas and the newly added Regal Medlock. My one minor complaint would be that while these widely distanced locations make it easier for everyone to attend some films in our far-flung city, it makes it harder to attend many.
The films are a host of both narratives and documentaries, features and shorts, English and subtitled pieces, that all work to fulfill the festival's purpose of diversity well.
The AJFF is presented by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. The repeated goal is outreach – to present great films with a Jewish twist that both educate and entertain. Some educate you about aspects of the community you never knew about. Some are just great films with empathetic characters that just happen to be Jewish.
In the end, as I did last year, I learned a lot I did not know, watched some great films I would have loved anyway Jewish twist or not where I simply identified with the well-drawn characters, and had a great experience discovering new films and filmmakers from all over the world.
My hope is that people will not shy away from the festival because they think it is just for the Jewish community but realize instead it is for people who just love film, and thus give it a try. I did, and I loved it.
I also recommend more festivals add desserts to their schedules.