It is almost time for The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opening night

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival returns this week with an impressive list of films and guest speakers. This Wednesday on February 6th, the opening night Gala for Sponsors and Members will feature Shoelaces at Cobb Energy Performing Arts. The reception will include fine dining staring at 5pm, with the screening beginning at 7:30pm. The family dramedy Shoelaces has been nominated for eight Israel Academy Awards, a touching story with rave reviews.

Following opening night, screenings take place until February 26th at venues throughout Atlanta. In addition to highly anticipated screenings, there will be many guest speakers bringing insight and sparking discussions at the festival. The following is a highlight of some of the guest speakers and their associated work:

• Eli Batalion, filmmaker and subject of film —Chewdaism (AJFF’s Closing Night Film) • Q&A, 2/26 (both)

• Jamie Elman, filmmaker and subject of film —Chewdaism (AJFF’s Closing Night Film) • Q&A, 2/26 (both)

• Steak Shapiro, radio and television host —Chewdaism (AJFF’s Closing Night Film) • Q&A, 2/26 • Evening only

• Melissa Fay Greene, author — Fig Tree • Introductory Speaker, 2/10

• Tom Luse, Producer, The Walking Dead — The Golem • Introductory Speaker, 2/9

• Henri Dauman, subject of film — Henri Dauman: Looking Up • Q&A, 2/16, 2/17

• Rosanna Arquette, actress— Holy Lands • Q&A, 2/9, 2/10

• Amanda Sthers, author and filmmaker — Holy Lands • Q&A, 2/9, 2/10

• Doug Blackmon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author — Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People • Introductory Speaker, 2/16

• Hank Klibanoff, Pulitzer Prize winning author — Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People • Introductory Speaker, 2/17

• Gary Monroe, photographer, featured in film — The Last Resort • Q&A, 2/23, 2/24

• Naian González Norvind, actress — Leona • Q&A, 2/16, 2/17, 2/18

• Michèle Taylor, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council — The Light of Hope • Introductory Speaker, 2/26

• Lisa D’Apolito, filmmaker — Love, Gilda • Q&A, 2/9, 2/10

• Deborah Lipstadt, Holocaust historian — Murer: Anatomy of a Trial • Introductory Speaker, 2/19

• Alonso Duralde, film critic — Promise at Dawn • Introductory Speaker, 2/24

• Avi Nesher, filmmaker — The Other Story • Q&A, 2/17, 2/18

• Don Ferencz, lawyer, educator, son of Ben Ferencz, featured in film — Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz • Q&A, 2/23, 2/24

• Victoria Stilwell, television personality, Animal Planet — Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog • Q&A 2/24

The AJFF is the largest film festival in Atlanta, and became the biggest Jewish film festival in the world with 38,600 attendees in 2015. Their message is described as “a cinematic exploration of Jewish experience — Jewish culture and history, life in Israel, and the work of Jewish artists — particularly where these stories intersect with other communities both here in Atlanta and around the world. Seeking to use the power of film to both entertain and educate, AJFF challenges conventional perspectives on complex and challenging issues facing the Jewish and global communities.”

Download your program guide here