Frequently Asked Questions
What is American Jewish Committee (AJC), and why does it produce the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF)?
Every day, American Jewish Committee 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.
Screenings seem to sell out fast. What can I do to ensure I get the tickets I want?
There’s no denying the AJFF is a popular event, and many screenings will sell out in advance. We encourage you to purchase tickets as soon as possible after they go on sale Thursday, January 3, 2013.
Sellouts are sometimes unavoidable, even as we offer more repeat screenings of popular films than ever before.
Additional tickets to sold out screenings do sometimes become available. Check our website at AJFF.org for updates, or better yet, follow us on either Facebook (www.facebook.com/ATLJewishFilm) or Twitter (@ATLJewishFilm) where we constantly post up-to-date festival information.
If all else fails, there is a wait list for sold out films. You can sign up on the day of the screening you’re interested in; unoccupied seats are released just before show time.
Why no movies on Friday night or Saturday afternoon?
From Friday night to Saturday at sundown, it is the Jewish Sabbath. Out of respect for the Jewish community, the AJFF doesn’t screen films during this time. Plus, our staff needs a break too!
Is saving seats permitted?
Please exercise moderation and common courtesy as you would at any movie outing. It’s fine to save seats for a few friends and family, but not for latecomers. Empty seats will be released to a wait list at show time. We appreciate your good will and ask that you follow the instructions of our ushers.
Are there any films suitable for children and teens? And why aren’t they rated?
While much of the festival tackles more adult themes, we work hard to ensure a diverse lineup that includes family-friendly programming. Tiger Eyes and A Bottle in the Gaza Sea are standouts for teens. And there are several educational documentaries great for students, such as Blinky & Me, Defiant Requiem, The First Fagin, It is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl and The Last White Knight. Both the Opening Night and Closing Night films – Hava Nagila (The Movie) and No Place on Earth, respectively – are also excellent options for families.
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 and use their discretion in determining age appropriateness. Where prudent, there are specific comments about suitability for certain audiences.
If I miss a film at the festival, where else can I go to see it?
A select few of our films will go on to a larger theatrical release. Most will eventually become available on DVD or Blu-ray, or through various Video on Demand services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video and iTunes.
How do you select the films, and what makes a film Jewish?
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 artistic merit, subject matter and Jewish criteria.
If we’ve done our job, you’ll find a stimulating and varied range of subjects and genres. Our programming focuses not only on 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 subtle Jewish themes, stories and characters. And the AJFF does not shy away from controversy. An honest examination of Jewish identity and Israeli society sometimes requires raising uncomfortable subjects and giving voice to differing and dissenting opinions.
How can I get involved and sign up as a volunteer?
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, please call 404-806-9913. You can also support the festival financially by joining more than 250 corporate and individual sponsors, and enjoy such benefits as All Access passes, first dibs on tickets, and Fast Track entry to screenings.
