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

25 LC 112 3268 House Resolution 568 By: Representatives Panitch of the 51st, Roberts of the 52nd, Tran of the 80th, Hagan of the 156th, Cummings of the 39th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival for 25 years of artistic and cultural excellence;1 and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is the largest film festival in Atlanta3 and the State of Georgia and is one of the most prestigious Jewish film festivals in the world,4 attracting tens of thousands of attendees annually; and5 WHEREAS, since its founding in 2000 by the Atlanta Regional Off ice of the American6 Jewish Committee (AJC), AJFF has entertained, educated, and engaged diverse audiences7 through Jewish storytelling, inspiring greater social and cultu ral understanding across8 communities; and9 WHEREAS, AJFF continues to partner with religious, ethnic, cult ural, and educational10 organizations—including public and private schools, colleges, a nd universities—to foster11 deeper dialogue and strengthen bonds between communities; and12 WHEREAS, AJFF is recognized as one of Georgia's most significant cultural events, ranking13 among the highest-attended film festivals worldwide, growing from its inaugural audience14 of 1,900 filmgoers to a record-breaking annual attendance of more than 40,000; and15 H. R. 568 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3268 WHEREAS, the 25th Anniversary Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, taking place February 1916 to March 16, 2025, features 88 theatrical screenings of 64 film s from 22 countries across17 multiple metro Atlanta venues, along with a 10-day streaming window offering 32 titles for18 statewide streaming throughout Georgia; and19 WHEREAS, during its 10th anniversary, AJFF expanded its cultural footprint by presenting20 a landmark concert of iconic Jewish film scores in partnership with Turner Classic Movies21 and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; and22 WHEREAS, in 2015, AJFF made history by becoming the largest Jewish film festival in the23 world, reinforcing Georgia's reputation as a vibrant hub for film and the arts; and24 WHEREAS, as part of its 25th anniversary milestone, AJFF hosted a Field Trip Screening25 event of Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire , welcoming more than 500 students from public and26 private schools across metro Atlanta, with a post-film Q&A feat uring the filmmaker to27 engage young audiences in the lessons of Holocaust history and human rights; and28 WHEREAS, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, AJFF has launc hed the Kenny Blank29 Vision Initiative, a $2.5 million capital campaign aimed at transforming the organization into30 a year-round Jewish cultural institution by expanding programs in community relations,31 education, direct filmmaker support, accessibility, and innovation; and32 WHEREAS, the 25th anniversary of AJFF marks a pivotal moment in its evolution,33 transitioning from a once-a-year festival into a global leader in Jewish arts and culture34 dedicated to fostering creative expression and connecting diver se audiences through the35 power of film.36 H. R. 568 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3268 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that37 the members of this body commend the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival for 25 years of artistic38 excellence, cultural impact, and commitment to strengthening th e Atlanta community39 through film and dialogue.40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized41 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the42 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.43 H. R. 568 - 3 -