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Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Concludes with Brazilian Dramedy

Audience enjoying the Closing Night of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

News Summary

The 25th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival wrapped up on March 5, 2025, featuring its Closing Night celebration at Byers Theatre. Attendees enjoyed the North American premiere of ‘Cheers to Life!’, a Brazilian comedic drama. Significant announcements included a $250,000 investment from Coca-Cola and exciting future events like a one-night concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The festival celebrated achievements in Jewish cinema with Jury Awards and aimed to foster cultural understanding and community resilience through film.

Closing Night of 25th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Features Brazilian Dramedy and Major Announcements

The vibrant city of Atlanta buzzed with excitement as the 25th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival wrapped up on March 5, 2025, with a spectacular Closing Night celebration held at Sandy Springs’ Byers Theatre.

This year, festival-goers were treated to the North American premiere of the delightful Brazilian comedic drama “Cheers to Life!”, which perfectly captured the spirit of the festival. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival stands tall as one of the largest cultural events dedicated to Jewish film worldwide, and the response was electrifying.

A Festival of Numbers

Over the course of two weeks, the festival showcased an impressive 88 in-theatre screenings across six venues, drawing about 1,000 patrons on its thrilling Closing Night. Mayor Rusty Paul of Sandy Springs graced the event, underlining the city’s Performing Arts Center as a cultural cornerstone.

Save the Date for Music

Exciting announcements topped off the night, including a one-night-only concert in collaboration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Turner Classic Movies, hosted by Ben Mankiewicz. Mark your calendars for October 20, 2025, for a night of cinematic tunes.

And the Awards Go To…

The festival also handed out its prestigious Jury Awards, honoring remarkable contributions in Jewish cinema. Standout winners included:

“Pink Lady” for Narrative Feature
“Riefenstahl” for Documentary Feature
“The Sacred Society” for Short Film
“Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round” for the Building Bridges Award
“Sapir” for the Human Rights Award
Tom Nesher as Emerging Filmmaker for “Come Closer.”

Investing in the Future

Another highlight of the evening was the exciting announcement of a $250,000 investment from Coca-Cola towards the Kenny Blank Vision Initiative. This initiative is part of a broader $2.5 million capital campaign, aimed at amplifying the festival’s reach and creating lasting impact beyond its annual programming.

Film Focus: Cheers to Life!

The film “Cheers to Life!”, a 103-minute narrative feature, tells the heartfelt story of a young woman embarking on a quest to connect with her roots in Israel, exploring complex themes of identity and familial history. Following the film, an engaging post-film Q&A session included the cast and crew, featuring insights from director Chris D’Amato and producer Júlio Uchoa.

Audience Reactions and Streaming Opportunity

Audience reactions to “Cheers to Life!” were overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their affection for the leading couple, transcending any language barriers. For those who missed the festival, an all-access streaming pass will be available from March 7-16, allowing Georgians to experience 21 feature films and 14 short films from the event.

Cultural Conversations and Community Impact

The 2025 AJFF aimed to promote cultural understanding through film, showcasing diverse stories that delve into LGBTQ+ experiences, global conflicts, and pressing social issues. Festival organizers emphasized its critical role in addressing rising antisemitism and fostering resilience and unity within the Jewish community.

As the curtain closed on this year’s festival, the spirit of camaraderie and creativity left a lasting imprint on all who attended. Here’s to many more years of storytelling and connection through the magic of cinema.