AJFF Hosts Opening Night Gala

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s (AJFF) opening night gala returned this year to City Springs (in the center building as opposed to the lobby where it was held in 2023) on Feb. 12.

Throngs of avid eaters moved from booth to booth and enjoyed an open bar. On hand were the cheerful restaurateurs who greeted guests and explained their featured items. Some of the most popular vendors served lamb chops or variations of raw tuna. The desserts were set up in a separate room in the formal lobby of City Springs.

Guests buzzed about which movies they had selected, keeping track of which screenings were virtual or in-person. Sponsor Barbara Mendel said that she was a “comedy girl” and wasn’t seeing any serious films. Movie fan Barney Epstein is signed up for 14 movies with three in one day. Videographer Ron Heidt, who produced the intro video for the AJFF, said he was most looking forward to “The Sea.”

Sandra Cuttler recounted that she was in the room 26 years ago when the idea of a film festival first surfaced; now she’s excited that it’s one of the tops in the country. Matt Weiss was looking forward to taking his kids, ages 7 and 4, to experience “An American Tail.”  Breman Jewish Museum Director Leslie Gordon’s short list was “The Last Musician of Auschwitz,” and “We Met at Grossinger’s” closing night.

Participating restaurants in partnership with Taste of Atlanta were: Affairs to Remember • Bold Catering • Breadwinner • C&S Seafood • City Bar • Dancing Goats Coffee Roasters • Kyma • Message in a Bottle • NFA Burger • Nothing Bundt Cakes • Rumi’s Kitchen • South City Kitchen • The Select • Tiny Lou’s • Vino Venue • Zakia.

“Tasting” fan Jeremy Lazarus liked the sweet and salty lamb from Rumi’s Kitchen. “Then again,” he said, “the lamb chops at Kyma were tender and well spiced. They were my favorite meat dish.” In terms of the South City Kitchen brisket, he liked the accompaniment of sweet tomatoes. He concluded, “Also I thought the risotto was very good … creamy with a nice truffle flavor; the vegetarian leek bread pudding was quite savory.”

Julie Abes, of Message in a Bottle, served hefty portions of Thai tuna on salad with a peanut sauce. She said, “We have participated in this event for five years because it’s important to give back to the community that supports us. Plus, we bring the fun!” The Abes were explaining their soon-to-open new Funwoody concept, {S}table, with a Southern flair.

Event co-chair Debbie Neese was emotional about the effect the AJFF has on the community at-large. Neese said, “Since the beginning 26 years ago, these movies have helped my Christian friends and others outside the Jewish community have better understanding between us.”

Neese added, “It has been an honor to co-chair Opening Night with Leah Blum.
I have attended the festival for many years and look forward to the festival each year because it’s a coming together of our community to watch films that entertain us, make us laugh and cry and  make us think. Storytelling can widen one’s perspective, creating a little light to pierce through.”

Co-chair Blum shared, “It is an honor to co-chair once again an evening that brings the Atlanta Jewish community together to experience a fun social event coupled with an outstanding and memorable movie. Our city is very fortunate to have AJFF and what a fun way to kick off our festival with a great party!”

AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank told the AJT, “The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is a celebration of great international cinema, visionary film artists, and Jewish culture. Opening Night and the days that follow remind me that, at its heart, this festival is about bringing community together for a shared experience, where storytelling helps us recognize our shared humanity, whatever our backgrounds or perspectives. That spirit is … central to our mission of fostering social and cultural understanding. I look forward to building more memories with audiences in the coming days, because these are stories that stay with all of us long after the credits have rolled.”

Founded in 2000, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is one of the largest cultural events of its kind in the world, celebrating the power of film to foster compassion, dialogue, and collaboration. The 26th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival runs through March 15, presenting 49 feature films and 16 short films from 20 countries, including three world premieres, four North American premieres, five U.S. premieres, and seven regional premieres.