Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Returns for Its 26th Year with Premieres, Powerful Conversations and Global Stories

By Daniela Cintron

Last Updated February 2, 2026

Add Discover ATL as a preferred source on Google

Now celebrating its 26th edition, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) returns Feb. 18 through March 3 with an ambitious lineup that reflects both the urgency of the moment and the enduring power of storytelling. For more than two decades, the AJFF has transformed moviegoing into a cultural experience that sparks dialogue, builds empathy and brings the world to Atlanta through film.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Feb. 4.

The 2026 festival program presents 49 feature films and 16 short films from 20 countries, including three world premieres, four North American premieres, four U.S. premieres and seven regional premieres. Select films also will be available statewide through AJFF’s Virtual Cinema from March 6–15, expanding access beyond the theater walls.

A Festival that Continues to Break New Ground

Among the major distinctions in 2026 are the North American Premiere of “Stay Forte” and the screening of “The Butterfly,” an Oscar-nominated short film.

Several films directly respond to the aftermath of Oct. 7, 2023, offering testimony and reflection through deeply human lenses. Titles including “A Letter to David,” “Holding Liat,” “Stay Forte” and “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” confront trauma, survival and moral complexity, while films like “Coexistence, My Ass!” and “The Sea” examine the ongoing tensions and human toll of the Israeli-Palestinian reality.

Together with films exploring identity, family, resilience, social justice and memory, the 2026 lineup underscores AJFF’s role as a cultural bridge, connecting Jewish stories with broader global and contemporary conversations.

Filmmakers, Artists and Changemakers Take the Stage

AJFF is known not only for its films but also for the conversations they inspire. The 2026 festival brings an extraordinary slate of guest appearances with filmmakers, artists and subjects traveling from around the world to engage audiences in post-screening discussions.

Among the highlights:

• Nancy Spielberg, producer of “A Letter to David,” will attend for a special screening and conversation. The film unfolds as a cinematic letter to David Cunio, who was abducted on Oct 7, 2023, and released in October 2025 alongside his brother.
• Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper, the sisters at the center of “Surviving Malka Leifer,” will appear with director Adam Kamien to discuss their pursuit of justice in a landmark international sexual abuse case.
• Doron Eran and Tomer Almagor will attend the North American premiere of “Stay Forte,” a dramatic account of hostages attempting to escape captivity.
• Barry Avrich, director of “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” joins audiences following the film’s controversial withdrawal and reinstatement at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
• Regina Spektor and producer Jack Dishel will attend the world premiere of “My Friend Sam,” which explores Spektor’s friendship with a Holocaust survivor.
• Roland Perez, whose autobiography inspired the Opening Night film “Once Upon My Mother,” will be in attendance to launch the festival.

Previously announced guests include Jennifer Westfeldt, Matthew Shear, Jill Kargman and Henry Bean, further reinforcing AJFF’s reputation for attracting influential voices across film, television and literature.

“The response to this year’s lineup has been incredibly energizing,” said Kenny Blank, executive and artistic director of ATL Jewish Film. “As we celebrate our 26th year, we’re excited to welcome audiences back into theaters for films that spark conversation, deepen understanding and create connection.”

More Than Screenings: Free In-Person and Virtual Events

In keeping with its mission, AJFF continues its In Conversation Series of free in-person and virtual events, exploring themes such as ethics and trauma in filmmaking, art and memory, and Jewish women, power and accountability. Programs will take place at CityBar in Sandy Springs and online via Zoom.

The festival also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at storytelling in progress with a sneak peek of “The Day After,” the inaugural recipient of ATL Jewish Film’s Filmmaker Fund. Directed by Yuval Orr and Aziz Abu Sarah, the film follows Israelis and Palestinians traveling together to Northern Ireland to study its peace process — an early glimpse into a project rooted in dialogue and possibility.

Additional highlights include restored classics like “An American Tail,” “The Believer” and “Sunshine,” a free community screening of the 1936 Yiddish film “I Have Sinned;” a Young Professionals Night anchored by a 25th-anniversary screening of “Kissing Jessica Stein;” and a Spotlight Screening of “Sixty Six,” timed to Atlanta’s 2026 FIFA World Cup moment.

A Legacy Built on Curiosity and Culture

Founded in 2000 by the Atlanta Regional Office of the American Jewish Committee, AJFF began as a modest showcase of international Jewish cinema. It quickly grew into one of the most prestigious festivals of its kind worldwide. By 2008, AJFF was welcoming more than 15,000 moviegoers, and in 2015, it became the largest Jewish film festival globally, attracting more than 38,600.

Along the way, the festival has earned accolades from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, partnered with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Turner Classic Movies, and welcomed luminaries including Barry Levinson, Claudia Weill and the late Gilbert Gottfried.

Today, AJFF stands as an independent nonprofit arts organization, continuing its partnership with AJC while remaining deeply rooted in Atlanta’s diverse cultural landscape. Its success lies not just in numbers, but in its unwavering commitment to storytelling as a tool for connection.

Plan Your Visit

The 2026 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival takes place at venues across metro Atlanta, including the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Plaza Theatre, Tara Theatre and The Springs Cinema & Taphouse.

For tickets, schedules and the full lineup of films and events, visit AJFF.org.

In a city known for its creative energy and cultural leadership, AJFF remains a powerful reminder that stories, especially the ones that challenge us, matter.

For more, check out the Atlanta Film Festival and BronzeLens Film Festival, also taking place in Atlanta.

Daniela Cintrón is an award-winning journalist, editor, and producer passionate about storytelling at the intersection of food, art, and culture. She is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta and contributes to publications like the Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Magazine and Eater.

Originally Published January 30, 2026