The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival seeks to enrich the moviegoer experience by presenting special guest speakers before and after select screenings. A variety of filmmakers, academics, authors, critics and other experts engage with the audience during introductory remarks and post-film Q&A sessions, at no additional cost.
Select highlights of the 2019 AJFF are below.
- Paula Eiselt, filmmaker—93 Queen • Q&A, 2/17 (both)
- Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Center, Alt-Right: Age of Rage • Q&A, 2/18
- Eli Batalion, filmmaker and subject of film —Chewdaism (*AJFF's Closing Night Film) • Q&A, 2/26 (both)
- Jamie Elman, filmmaker and subject of film —Chewdaism (*AJFF's Closing Night Film) • Q&A, 2/26 (both)
- Steak Shapiro, radio and television host —Chewdaism (*AJFF's Closing Night Film) • Q&A, 2/26 • Evening only
- Brandon Mendelson, featured in film —City of Joel • Q&A, 2/20, 2/21
- Alicia Malone, Turner Classic Movies host — Enemies, A Love Story • Q&A, 2/14
- Amit Tsuk, subject of film — Family in Transition • Q&A, 2/16, 2/17, 2/18
- Melissa Fay Greene, author — Fig Tree • Introductory Speaker, 2/10
- Tom Luse, Producer, The Walking Dead — The Golem • Introductory Speaker, 2/9
- Henri Dauman, subject of film — Henri Dauman: Looking Up • Q&A, 2/16, 2/17
- Rosanna Arquette, actress— Holy Lands • Q&A, 2/9, 2/10
- Amanda Sthers, author and filmmaker — Holy Lands • Q&A, 2/9, 2/10
- Matthew Bernstein, Emory Film Studies Chair — The Interpreter • Introductory Speaker, 2/16
- Lois Reitzes, Host of City Lights on WABE — It Must Schwing!: The Blue Note Story • Introductory Speaker, 2/13
- Doug Blackmon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author — Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People • Introductory Speaker, 2/16
- Hank Klibanoff, Pulitzer Prize winning author — Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People • Introductory Speaker, 2/17
- Dennis Scholl, filmmaker— The Last Resort • Q&A, 2/23
- Isaac Cherem, filmmaker — Leona • Q&A, 2/16, 2/17, 2/18
- Naian González Norvind, actress — Leona • Q&A, 2/16, 2/17, 2/18
- Michèle Taylor, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council — The Light of Hope • Introductory Speaker, 2/26
- Lisa D'Apolito, filmmaker — Love, Gilda • Q&A, 2/9, 2/10
- Alonso Duralde, film critic — Promise at Dawn • Introductory Speaker, 2/24
- Avi Nesher, filmmaker — The Other Story • Q&A, 2/17, 2/18
- Don Ferencz, lawyer, educator, son of Ben Ferencz, featured in film — Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz • Q&A, 2/23, 2/24
- Lynn Roth, filmmaker — Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog • Q&A, 2/23, 2/24
- Victoria Stilwell, television personality, Animal Planet — Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog • Q&A 2/24
- Jennifer Fox, filmmaker — The Tale • Q&A, 2/17
- Géza Röhrig, actor — To Dust • Q&A, 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
- Shawn Snyder, filmmaker — To Dust • Q&A, 2/23, 2/24, 2/25
For these announcements and other late-breaking information, you can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or just check back here at AJFF.org.