August 18, 2025. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) — the largest Jewish film festival in the Southeast and one of the preeminent Jewish film showcases worldwide — announced a bold new chapter at its invitation-only Kenny Blank Vision Initiative (KBVI) Founding Visionaries Event on Tuesday, August 12, at Assembly Studios.
Approaching 90% of its $2.5 million growth goal, the organization revealed plans to rebrand as ATL Jewish Film and expand its mission beyond the flagship annual festival into a year-round arts and cultural nonprofit with an expanded slate of programs, events, and initiatives.
“ATL Jewish Film will carry all of our programs under one roof, helping the community see the breadth of our organization and recognize every event, screening, and conversation as part of the same vision they’ve helped build,” said Board President James Anderson.
This transformation marks a significant repositioning for the organization, which has operated for 25 years under the AJFF banner. Beginning with the 26th Annual Festival (Feb. 18 – Mar. 15, 2026), ATL Jewish Film will roll out new programming across its core pillars: Education, Community Relations, Direct Filmmaker Support, Annual Festival, Innovation, and Access. Every initiative — from classroom screenings to filmmaker grants — will now live under the ATL Jewish Film name, creating a unified identity and clear year-round presence.
Education Spotlight: Student Filmmaking Competition
With generous support from Sheri and Steve Labovitz, ATL Jewish Film will launch its inaugural Student Filmmaking Competition this fall, inviting public and private high school students from across metro Atlanta to create short films exploring the theme of bridge building.
The competition kicks off Aug. 27 at The Westminster Schools, led by Kaylin Berinhout, Sr. Manager of Education & Community Relations, alongside Education Co-Chairs Kate Morgens (Westminster) and Gordon Mathis (The Galloway School). Faculty advisors will guide student teams through production milestones, with final films premiering at a public screening and awards ceremony on Nov. 19.
Sheri and Steve Labovitz shared:
“We believe deeply in the power of film to build bridges across cultures, generations, and perspectives. This program empowers young people to share their voice, explore their identities, and connect with others through creative expression.”
Additional educational initiatives launching in FY26 include field trip screenings, campus activations, in-classroom streaming, curriculum support, and industry mentorships.
Filmmaker Fund Launch in Partnership with Jewish Story Partners
ATL Jewish Film also announced the creation of a Filmmaker Fund in partnership with Jewish Story Partners — founded by Roberta Grossman and Nancy Spielberg — and generously supported by Kathy and Jason Evans.
The fund will provide direct financial support to documentary filmmakers, with the first funded film to premiere at the 26th Annual Festival.
“The idea is simple but powerful: help great Jewish stories get made, finished, and shared with the world,” said Jason Evans.
Looking Ahead: 25th Gala Concert
To close out its 25th Anniversary year, ATL Jewish Film will present the 25th Gala Concert on October 20, 2025, at Atlanta Symphony Hall, in partnership with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Turner Classic Movies. Conducted by Stuart Chafetz and hosted by TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz, the evening will feature orchestral and vocal performances from iconic Jewish film scores — from Fiddler on the Roof to Oppenheimer — plus surprise appearances. Tickets and VIP upgrades are available at AJFF.org/concert.
