Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is American Jewish Committee (AJC), and why does it produce the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF)?
A: Every day, AJC works to build bridges of understanding. As an international advocacy organization, we reach across ethnic, religious, national and international lines, and believe that telling stories on film is one of the best ways to cross those boundaries. Through the AJFF, we utilize an important tool for effective dialogue.
Q: How is the festival expanding in 2012?
A: AJFF now spans 22 days, longer than ever before, and features a record 52 features and 18 short films. We’ve increased our Intown presence with the addition of Tara Cinemas, and expanded our programming in East Cobb at GTC Merchants Walk, as well as UA North Point Market, our new North Metro location. We thank you, our audience, for your feedback in helping us become bigger and more accessible each year.
Q: What is the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival doing to minimize long lines, seating challenges and other crowd control issues?
A: The large and energetic crowds who pack our theaters are an exciting part of the festival. In response to audience demand, we’ve continued to grow our festival with new venues and more opportunities to see great films. We want each year at the AJFF to provide a more enjoyable experience than the last.
While we work tirelessly to minimize inconveniences, we ask for (and rely on) your help as well. Please familiarize yourself with our ticketing policies, and follow the instructions of our ushers.
As for saving seats, exercise moderation and common courtesy. It’s okay to save seats for a few friends and family, but please do not save seats for latecomers. Empty seats will be released to a waiting list at show time.
Q: I hear that 35mm film is being replaced by digital projection. How does this impact the AJFF?
A: It’s true. After 120 years and countless movies, 35mm is officially on the way out. The film industry is embracing digital technology, and AJFF is making that transition right along with them. Almost every movie theater in Atlanta has converted to DCP (Digital Cinema Package), including all AJFF venues (Lefont will maintain 35mm capability alongside digital).
Though the digital picture isn’t necessarily any better than film (in fact, some cinephiles passionately argue that a good film print looks better), the technology does ensure consistent quality without the scratches and defects of celluloid. It also saves the expense associated with shipping heavy film prints all over the world.
During this period of transition, AJFF will be exhibiting in a variety of formats, including DCP, 35mm and tape. Rest assured, we will continue to maintain the highest exhibition standards for our audience.
Q: The AJFF shows an amazing number of outstanding films with Jewish themes. How do you select the films, and what makes a film Jewish?
A: Our film selection committee sifts through some 400 submissions each year in search of cinematic gems. Only the finest films make the cut, evaluated based on subject matter as well as artistic merit.
If we’ve done our job, you’ll find an inspiring range of subjects and genres. Our programming focuses on not only the obvious aspects of the Jewish experience and life in Israel, but on the new, undiscovered and unconventional. Some films speak directly to overtly Jewish issues, while others reflect more subtly Jewish themes, stories and characters. And AJFF does not shy away from controversy. An honest examination of Jewish identity and Israeli society sometimes requires raising difficult subjects and giving voice to differing opinions in an uncomfortably candid way.
Q: Why no movies on Friday night or Saturday afternoon? It seems like prime movie screening time.
A: From Friday night to Saturday at sundown, it is the Jewish Sabbath. Various Jewish film festivals take different approaches, but out of respect for the entire Jewish community, the AJFF doesn’t screen films during this time. Plus, our staff needs a break at some point too!
Q: Tickets seem to sell out fast. What can I do to make sure I don’t get shut out of the films I really want to see?
A: There’s no denying the AJFF is a popular event, and many screenings will sell out in advance. We encourage audiences to buy early when tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 3, 2012. We have pushed back the launch of ticket sales to ensure everyone can get a copy of our program guide, review our website, and make their film choices before purchasing.
Still, we are sensitive to audience concerns about sold out screenings. This year, we’re offering more repeat screenings than ever before. For the first time, many of our most popular films will screen four times during the festival, often at multiple venues.
Also, surplus tickets to sold out screenings do become available on occasion. You can check our website for updates, or better yet, follow us on Facebook or Twitter where we constantly post breaking information about the festival.
If all else fails, there is our wait list for sold out films. You can sign up on the day of the screening; unoccupied seats are released just before show time.
Q: Let’s say I do miss a movie that I want to see. Can you sell me a DVD, or schedule the popular screenings again?
A: Sellouts are a happy sign of our continued success, but it may not be so happy for those who didn’t get a ticket. We understand that, and schedule repeat screenings of as many popular films as possible. Many of these films will eventually be released for home viewing (Netflix and Amazon are good places to check), and some even go on to theatrical release. But since we don’t own the rights, we can’t sell the movies to you.
Q: I want my entire family to experience the AJFF. Are there any films suitable for children and teens? And why aren’t the films rated?
A: While much of the festival tackles more adult themes, we work hard to ensure a diverse lineup that includes family-friendly programming. We recommend the musical The Heart That Sings for young girls ages 8 and up. Foreign Letters, about the friendship between 12-year-old girls from Israel and Vietnam, is perfect for preteens, while features such as David, Kaddish for a Friend, My Dad Baryshnikov and Wunderkinder are teen appropriate. Combat Girls is a powerful antidote to cults and bullying, but recommended only for older teens.
In addition, many AJFF documentaries offer a profound educational experience for young people, including The Apple Pushers, Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace, Deaf Jam, The Last Flight of Petr Ginz, Nicky’s Family and The Rescuers.
As for ratings, most of the films are new, international or independently released, so they haven’t been rated by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). We urge parents to carefully review the film descriptions in the program guide or on our website and use their discretion in determining age appropriateness.
Q: How can I get involved and sign up as a volunteer?
A: Literally hundreds of talented and committed people generously volunteer their time and expertise to the AJFF. Their work spans fundraising, marketing, film selection, event planning, ushering, hospitality and more. If you’d like to join our team, sign-up online or call 404-806-9913. You can also support the festival financially by joining more than 250 corporate and individual sponsors.
