As the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is gearing up for its 25th anniversary, Executive Director Kenny Blank said that the organization has become more than an annual screening of Jewish films and accompanying discussions; it now offers year-round programming and support for filmmaking.
Blank has led the Jewish arts-and-culture nonprofit for 20 years, taking it from a modest film series to the globally-recognized festival that it is today.
When Cookie Shapiro approached her fellow board members at the advocacy organization American Jewish Committee 25 years ago, she recognized an opportunity to advance their work and mission through the power of film and cinematic storytelling. Shapiro had the foresight to bring a Jewish film festival – which had been sprouting up all around the world – to Atlanta.
According to Blank, 20 years ago AJFF was a “mom-and-pop operation” led by Founding Director Judy Marx that catered to a select group of Jewish Atlantans. Blank started as a volunteer, fell in love with the project, and the festival organically began to grow.
Blank took on the role of first full time festival director in 2005. In 2014, AJFF split from the American Jewish Committee “to produce it to its full potential.” It was one of many pivotal moments in the organization’s history. AJFF began programming year-round events beyond the annual flagship festival, expanding its reach.
“It allowed us to begin to realize our full potential as not just a film festival that was seen by the broader community, but as an arts and cultural celebration for the Jewish community and beyond,” said Blank.
Another pivotal moment happened just a few years ago. The COVID-19 shut down had forced the world into isolation in March of 2020, just after the festival wrapped. In early 2021, AJFF offered virtual and drive-in screenings, but sitting in your car is not quite the same as being back in a movie theater. So, a mini festival was introduced in August of 2021– AJFF North.
“Formative moments over the years have kept us working, engaging, challenging, and given us opportunities to grow,” Blank said. “As you look back at the history of the festival, it is tied to the history of the Atlanta Jewish community, tied to global events, tied to what’s happening in our society, tied to the film industry and how it’s evolved over the years. Through the lens of AJFF, we can see a lot of our own history as a community, and as a society.”
Today’s AJFF is built on the foundation of community: a cross section of professional talent, staff, and leaders representing the religious community, the film industry, arts and culture, and business and marketing sectors.
“The festival has a strong association with my long time tenure, but it really is the community at large who makes it all possible,” said Blank. “Volunteerism is infused in everything we do as an organization.”
He estimated the festival has 200 volunteers filling nearly 400 roles.
“I have often said that my role as the executive director has been harnessing love, good will, and passion for the work that we do, the mission of the festival, and the programming,” said Blank.
Taking stock of the past and planning for the future, the Kenny Blank Vision Initiative is a $2.5 million capital campaign honoring Blank’s years of service and his leadership in the Atlanta art scene.
The initiative is aimed at repositioning the organization for longterm growth across five key pillars in addition to the flagship festival: community engagement, education, direct filmmaker support, access, and innovation.
“Milestone anniversaries like the 25th are such a unique moment in time,” Blank said. “How can we leverage these moments to reposition the organization for the future? Not just take stock and celebrate all we’ve achieved over 25 years, but to redefine our vision for the future.”
AJFF will be announcing changes throughout 2025. The capital campaign will help to establish a new filmmaker fund; make the festival accessible to all audiences regardless of physical mobility, economics, or sensory accommodations; and lean into conversations with different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
Education in the the classroom and for students will expand with the capital campaign. AJFF will partner with schools to provide curriculum to support that teaching through filmmaking and provide access to filmmakers for students and educators.
AJFF anticipates 38,000 to 40,000 attendees to the festival this year, with options to stream throughout the state of Georgia. This year’s festival is offering 50 features and 14 shorts from 22 countries including one world premiere feature and one North American premiere.
AJFF ranks among the top Jewish film festivals with New York, Miami, and San Francisco.
Tickets go on sale to AJFF members on Wednesday, Jan. 22, and to the general public on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Visit www.AJFF.org or call the box office at (678) 701-6104 for details.
