Tag Archive for: film festival

THE BENEFIT FILM FESTIVAL 2024

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/12/23

January 21 at the Plaza Theater

Empowering Untold Narratives: The Benefit Film Festival Brings Independent Filmmakers Center Stage,
Highlighting Diversity in Atlanta’s Film Industry.


On January 21, 2024, the iconic Plaza Theater in Atlanta will host The Benefit Film Festival, a cinematic showcase designed to empower minority and female filmmakers within the vibrant Atlanta market. The film festival will feature a compelling lineup of films showcasing emerging talent from the Atlanta studio of Anthony Meindl’s Actor Workshop (AMAW). The films embody unique narratives that align with the festival’s mission of amplifying independent filmmaker voices. The afternoon will be divided into two screening “blocks,” featuring the award-winning feature film Forgetting Christmas and six acclaimed short films: Rainbow Sun, Good Day, Samuel, Conflict, Christmas Cookies, and Right Where
You Left Me. Q&A sessions following each block will have engaging discussions around independent filmmaking and thematic content.


A standout among the ensemble of actors, writers, and producers is the Emmy-nominated VictorianRowell from the daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Victoria is both featured in and a producer of the festival’s feature film, Forgetting Christmas—a heartwarming story about a family finding hope during the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Also featured in the festival is Carlos Aviles from NBC’s hit show Good Girls and the acclaimed HBO series Barry. Carlos not only stars in but is also the writer and producer of the poignant short film Rainbow Sun. This captivating film showsthe journey
of a son navigating the right time to reveal his identity to his “man’s man” father while confronting the realities of his mother’s battle with Sickle Cell Anemia.


“The Benefit Film Festival was born out of my own experience working with independent creatives who faced barriers in the film industry. I wanted to create a platform for them to affordably share their compelling stories and talent with the world. I am thrilled to provide this opportunity to amplify the voices of independent artists, particularly minority and female filmmakers, who often face disproportionate challenges in the industry,” said Raisa D’Oyley, actor and festival organizer.

Tickets and donations for The Benefit Film Festival can be found at http://www.thebenefitfilmfestival.com/, with proceeds reinvested back into the filmmakers, enabling them to continue contributing their voices to the world of cinema.

2021 ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL STREAMS TO AT-HOME AUDIENCES, PLUS EXPANDED Q&A, DRIVE-IN, VIRTUAL LOBBY, AND OTHER EXPERIENCES

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/10/21

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Announces Full Lineup and Reimagines Annual Event for a Virtual World

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF), one of the most influential Jewish film festivals in the world, continues to cement its status as an innovator. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, AJFF has pivoted to all-virtual programming and reimagined the entirety of its landmark festival, which is set to take place Feb.17-28. In addition to watching movies from the comfort and convenience of home via a Virtual Cinema, audiences will also enjoy three nights of drive-in movies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and The Home Depot Backyard, plus in-depth and expanded Q&A conversations, a “Virtual Lobby” to connect with other moviegoers, a curated and custom “Festival-In-A-Box” for Opening Night ticket holders, along with other special experiences.

AJFF has also announced its full 2021 lineup, providing audiences a robust selection of diverse and high-caliber films for which the festival has become known. This year, more than 500 films were submitted for consideration, with 38 feature and 16 short films selected – including three World premieres, eight North American premieres, three U.S. premieres, and one world premiere local film. The film selection covers a range of genres, with everything from introspective biographies like Howie Mandel: But, Enough About Me; topical themes like On Broadway or Atlanta: The City Too Busy to Wait; side-splitting comedies like Shiva Baby; LGBTQ+ stories like Kiss Me Kosherpowerful dramas like Asia; and so much more. The full lineup and schedule are available at AJFF.org.

“In a year of firsts and unprecedented challenges, AJFF has worked tirelessly to reimagine the annual festival in a way that preserves the most cherished qualities of this annual celebration of community and the cinematic arts,” said AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank. “Though the experience itself will be undeniably different, the power of these films to connect and inspire us is more deeply felt and appreciated than ever. Our hybrid edition embraces all of the opportunities that virtual affords us while continuing our commitment to bring audiences ‘together through film’ in new ways.”

The 2021 AJFF will feature a number of new offerings and experiences, including:

Extensive At-Home Viewing Options:
For a full 12 days, AJFF’s diverse lineup of narrative and documentary shorts and features are accessible to viewers from the comfort of home. Powered by CineSend, AJFF’s Virtual Cinema will allow audiences to access the best in Jewish cinema from a smart TV, home theater, tablet, or mobile device.  Requiring only a single ticket per film for each household, viewers will have a flexible 48-hour window to watch festival films at their convenience. Each film has a limited capacity of views, so audiences are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. General admission for virtual screenings is $16/household ($14 early bird pricing), and for special events, which include Opening and Closing Night, admission is $36/household.

Drive-In Screenings at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Against the spectacular backdrop of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AJFF invites audiences to enjoy the throwback fun of drive-in movies at the 11-acre greenspace of The Home Depot Backyard. Accommodating over 200 vehicles nightly for this premium experience, the AJFF drive-in includes three special evenings of film on Feb.18, Feb. 20, and Feb. 21. Kicking off with AJFF’s Young Professionals Night, followed by two campy, kitschy Hollywood classics: Mel Brooks’s sci-fi spoof Spaceballs and the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors, this exciting venue provides guests the ability to watch on the big screen while remaining safely socially distant. Each drive-in pass can be purchased for $40 and accounts for parking for one car, regardless of how many people are in the vehicle, so bring the whole family along! Food trucks will be on-site serving delicious bites, to enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle.

Expanded Q&A Offerings Featuring Filmmakers, Actors + Experts:
AJFF has long been recognized for fostering dialogue and building bridges of understanding between audiences of different faiths and backgrounds. This commitment continues in 2021, with an expanded program of virtual Q&A conversations. A record number of filmmakers, actors and other guest speakers will partake in Q&A programs, recorded especially for AJFF audiences and accessible to watch online throughout the 12 days of the festival.

Virtual Lobby Over Lunch:
AJFF is also launching a “Virtual Lobby,” featuring a series of lunchtime Zoom sessions for the community of moviegoers to join a facilitated discussion, taking a deeper dive into five conversation-starting films of the festival.

Festival-in-a-Box:
To enhance the at-home viewing experience, ticket holders to Opening Night will receive a specially curated “Festival-In-A-Box.” Full of fun comfort items to help create a perfect, stay-at-home viewing experience, the box is full of tasty and cozy surprises.

Tickets go on sale on Jan. 26 for members and on Feb. 10 for the general public.

20TH ANNIVERSARY ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/5/19

20TH ANNIVERSARY ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS OPENING NIGHT, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NIGHT, AND CLOSING NIGHT SELECTIONS

Monday, February 10th through February 27th 

The 2020 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is proud to announce the Opening Night, Young Professionals Night, and Closing Night film selections to be featured at its 20th annual festival, which returns from February 10 through February 27.

Announced first by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the 20th anniversary of the festival kicks off on Monday, February 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre with the World Premiere of Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance. Revisiting and reviving the legacy of Black-Jewish cooperation during the Civil Rights era, this powerful documentary focuses on a proud chapter of American social justice, in which two communities joined forces in the name of racial equality, while acknowledging their shared history of hardship. Pivotal events come alive through a treasure trove of archival materials, narrated by eyewitnesses, activists, Holocaust survivors, and leaders of the movement, including prominent Atlantans such as Congressman John Lewis, Amb. Andrew Young, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Rabbi Peter S. Berg, Martin Luther King III, and many others. Opening Night general admission tickets are available for $36 and include complimentary parking as well as the screening and post-film Q&A.

On Saturday, February 15 at the Woodruff Arts Center, AJFF will feature the buddy comedy Standing Up, Falling Down at Young Professionals Night, presented by ACCESS, the young leadership division of American Jewish Committee. Starring Emmy-winner Ben Schwartz and comedy legend Billy Crystal, the film follows an aspiring stand-up comic after he is forced to move back to his hometown. An unexpected friendship across generations leads them to confront their own regrets and failures. The evening begins with a pre-screening party at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by the film at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $36 and include the party and screening.

The 20th festival closes out with a touching screening of Saul & Ruby, To Life! on Thursday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Byers Theater of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. The film follows Holocaust survivors, Saul and Ruby, who find a new purpose in life. They use the power of music to share their stories and promote peace in a world that is as tumultuous as ever. The Holocaust Survivor Band, featuring Saul and Ruby, will treat moviegoers to a post-screening performance. Tickets are $36 and include complimentary parking, the screening, a post-film Q&A and performance, plus a dessert reception.

Audiences can expect diverse films from this showcase of international cinema. A first look at what to expect in this year’s lineup was recently announced, and is available here. The preview includes the following seven films: Aulcie, Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn, Crescendo, The Glass Room, Golda, No Pork on the Fork, and The Mamboniks. The full lineup and official schedule, along with the release of program guides, will be announced on Friday, January 10. Tickets go on sale via AJFF.org beginning Monday, January 27. Tickets for the festival are $16 for General Admission and $14 for Seniors/Students/Children.

Full descriptions of Opening Night, Young Professionals Night, and Closing Night films are below:

Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance
World Premiere
Documentary • USA • 93 minutes
The crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in this utterly fascinating, urgent call to action. The modern alliance between African-Americans and Jewish Americans dates to the NAACP founding in 1909. Since then, both groups have endured segregation and racism, from the codified bigotry of southern Jim Crow laws, to blatant bias in real estate, employment, higher education and politics. Common cause was found in the turbulent ‘60s Civil Rights era, as Jewish leaders backed Dr. King’s efforts at racial equality and harmony. Yet, the relationship has frayed in recent years, as a once mighty bond of support and respect has seemingly faded, been forgotten or ignored.

Pivotal events come alive through a treasure trove of archival materials, narrated by eyewitnesses, activists, Holocaust survivors, and leaders of the movement, including prominent Atlantans such as Congressman John Lewis, Amb. Andrew Young, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Rabbi Peter S. Berg, Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., members of the King family, and many others. With divisive seeds of hate taking root anew in the American landscape, a new generation also affirms their pledge to actively promote the values of social justice. This potent, inspiring story of unity, empathy and partnership validates the ubiquity of the human experience, and how freedom and equality for all can be achieved only when people come together.

Standing Up, Falling Down
Narrative • USA • 91 minutes
Emmy-winner Ben Schwartz (NBC’s Parks and Recreation) and the legendary Billy Crystal, topline this bittersweet, warmly funny buddy comedy about an unlikely intergenerational friendship between a struggling stand-up comic and an older, disillusioned barfly. After years of trying and failing to break into the Los Angeles comedy scene, thirty-something Scott (Schwartz) reluctantly moves back in with his parents (Kevin Dunn and Debra Monk) on Long Island, tail between his legs. Wracked with self-doubt and panicked at the prospect of having to get a soul-crushing “real” job, he soon realizes that life did not stand still without him. Not only have all his friends moved on to start families of their own, he must face unresolved emotions toward his hometown ex-girlfriend, Becky (Eloise Mumford), now happily married. But he encounters a surprising kindred spirit in Marty (Crystal, playing decidedly against type), a larger-than-life, charming but desperately lonely dermatologist obsessed with karaoke and swigging away his troubles every night at the local bar. Before long, the two drinking buddies form a real bond over their shared feelings of loss, remorse and inadequacy. As Scott works to overcome his fear of pursuing his dreams and returning to the stage, together they find the strength to address their long festering regrets. Buoyed by the easy-going chemistry between Schwartz and Crystal, and powered by a top-notch supporting cast that includes Grace Gummer and Nate Corddry, the simple pleasures of this heart-and-soul comedy are a reminder that redemption can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Saul & Ruby, To Life!
Documentary • USA • 81 minutes
An inseparable pair of sprightly Holocaust survivors brings their tuneful call for peace and healing from assisted living facilities in Florida to the world stage, in this uniquely uplifting tribute to the human spirit. Launching a late-in-life musical career from total obscurity, Saul Dreier was 89 when he picked up drumsticks and founded the Holocaust Survivor Band. Everyone, including his wife and rabbi, thought he was crazy. But Saul had a dream: to share the music that sustained him during his internment in concentration camps. Along with accordion player Ruby Sosnowicz, the klezmer duo performed in Jewish community and retirement centers around Florida, laying on the charm with small but enthusiastic audiences. With their joyful sound and infectious love of living, Saul and Ruby soon took their music, their stories, and their message of strength and friendship to larger venues across the country. With anti-Semitic rhetoric on the rise, Saul and Ruby wanted their untrained voices to be heard more than ever. So they set about making an enduring vision come true: to bring their music back to where both men suffered painful loss, their birthplace of Poland, to honor their own families and the countess other mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who suffered and died there. Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning documentarian Tod Lending expertly weaves comedy and tragedy in this charming, poignant and, above all, affirmative celebration of family, friendship, heartache, resilience and hope.

For additional information, visit AJFF.org.