HR568: HR568 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival; 25 years of artistic and cultural excellence; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) on its 25th anniversary. It recounts the festival's history since its founding in 2000, its growth from about 1,900 attendees to more than 40,000 annually, and its status as the largest Jewish film festival in the world. It also notes the festival's 25th anniversary programming in 2025, including 88 screenings of 64 films from 22 countries and a statewide streaming option, plus a new $2.5 million fundraising effort called the Kenny Blank Vision Initiative aimed at turning the organization into a year-round cultural institution. The resolution formally commends the festival for its artistic excellence and cultural impact, and directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the resolution to the festival as a keepsake. It does not change any Georgia law or provide funding.

• Formally commends the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival for 25 years of artistic and cultural work in Georgia.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and deliver a copy of the resolution to the festival.
• Recites the festival's history and achievements in the whereas clauses but creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties.

The resolution directly names the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the American Jewish Committee's Atlanta Regional Office, which founded it. It also references partner organizations such as public and private schools, colleges, and universities that work with the festival.

The resolution has no legal or financial effect; it is a ceremonial honor. Its main practical outcome is that the House Clerk will send an official copy to the festival, giving it formal legislative recognition of its anniversary and cultural contributions.

• The whereas clauses describe AJFF's founding in 2000, its growth to over 40,000 annual attendees, and its status as the world's largest Jewish film festival since 2015.
• The whereas clauses describe the 25th anniversary festival (February 19 to March 16, 2025) featuring 88 screenings of 64 films from 22 countries and a 10-day statewide streaming window.
• The whereas clauses mention the $2.5 million Kenny Blank Vision Initiative aimed at making AJFF a year-round cultural institution.
• The resolving clause formally commends the festival for its artistic excellence and cultural impact.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

1. 2025-03-11House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-11House Hopper (House)

• Esther Panitch (D, HD-051)Primary sponsor
• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)
• Long Tran (D, HD-080)
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Terry Cummings (D, HD-039)
• John Carson (R, HD-046)

• Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
• legislative commendation
• arts and culture
• Georgia film industry