AJFF In Conversation: The Podcast

It's pop quiz time, with film terms and definitions. Listeners who tuned in to last week's episode about what makes a film good – and who gets to determine that, anyway – got a mini crash course in film fundamentals. But with so many key questions to cover around classics, cult hits, quality and canon, Brad and Sara wanted to take another episode to dive even deeper into some of the terminology of cinema. So join your hosts as they offer some additional definitions and unconventional examples of everything from editing to cinematography and to the ever elusive mise-en-scène.

Discriminating audiences know a great work of cinema when they see it. And festivalgoers have high expectations for the quality of film we present annually at AJFF and year-round programs. But what are the ingredients and traits that make for exceptional filmmaking? For audiences seeking to fine-tune and expand their palate, a deeper awareness and understanding of the creative building blocks of cinematic stories can greatly enhance their viewing experience. An expert in hard-to-find cult germs from her perch with TCM Underground, Turner Classic Movies programmer Millie De Chirico joins our latest podcast for a larger industry perspective on some intriguing big picture questions and hot topics. Who are arbiters of taste, and who decides a movie's status in the canon of film history? What's the definition of a classic vs. a cult hit? Where are lines blurred between objective and subjective quality? Plus, what are some specific examples of Jewish film works you may have missed? Join hosts Sara and Brad as we find out!

The pinnacle of the awards season has now come to a close, with the 93rd Academy Awards. Like every film industry event and awards show during the pandemic, this year's Oscar telecast had its own unique spin on reinventing a traditional format for COVID times. It's been a particularly exciting time for Jewish-themed film and television programming, with a number of such titles being recognized and honored. Among them: an Israeli short, White Eye, which was nominated for Best Live-Action Short Film at the Oscars and screened at the most recent 2021 edition of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. For this episode of our In Conversation podcast, host Sara Glassberg had the opportunity to speak with the film's director, Tomer Shushan, in an interview recorded just days before the big night, to learn more about the film's journey from inception, to production, to the film festival circuit, and eventually the Academy Awards.

As the pandemic continues to reshape the ways we experience arts and entertainment, the worldwide circuit of film festivals is among those reimaging how to connect with and best serve audiences under highly unique circumstances. Even as vaccinations increase and cinemas slowly reopen, film festival programmers are channeling new levels of ingenuity and agility in presenting their lineups in the age of COVID. For an insider look at how festivals are pivoting, we've invited the Atlanta Film Society's executive Director Chris Escobar to share his perspective, plus a sneak preview of the 45th edition of the Atlanta Film Festival, now underway. Learn about the not-to-be-missed films and innovative experiences of ATLFF, plus an outlook on where the industry goes from here during a year of transition. Join your hosts Sara and Brad for AJFF and ATLFF in conversation!

Welcome back to a new season of AJFF In Conversation: The Jewish Film Podcast. Hosts Sara and Brad are back from the 2021 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and brief post-festival hiatus feeling rested and ready to bring you more interviews, deep-dive discussions, and much more, beginning this week with some recommendations of what Jewish movies and media to watch. From Hollywood historical dramas to classic sitcoms and past AJFF documentaries, this month's episode includes a variety of suggestions for your viewing pleasure both at-home or, finally, in theatres, for those who are comfortable returning to cinemas.

Each year, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival bestows special recognition to outstanding films and filmmakers participating in its annual international celebration of the cinema arts. In Competition titles vie for honors across six Jury Prize categories, including Best Narrative, Documentary, and Short, as well as Building Bridges, Human Rights, and Emerging Filmmaker. These prestigious prizes are deliberated by an esteemed panel of industry luminaries, including fellow filmmakers, actors, film critics and journalists, academics, and exceptional students. Joining our In Conversation podcast to talk about the importance of Jury Prizes to audiences, filmmakers and the festival's mission, we'll talk with AJFF Jury chairperson Gabe Wardell. It's also a chance to learn about which AJFF films are in contention this year, our impressive roster of jurors, plus a preview of the big Awards Show, coming up Wednesday March 10. So join host Sara and her special guest as we get ready to find out who the winners are!

One of the biggest silver linings of a hybrid edition of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is the ability to bring film talent together from all around the world in an even more robust way than in a typical year. There is perhaps no better example of that than our opening night. We kicked off the 2021 AJFF with the North American premiere of boundary-crossing (and bridge building) romantic comedy, Kiss Me Kosher, and were able to virtually host talent from across multiple time zones for a lively conversation that spanned the globe, from LA to Hawaii to Tel Aviv to Berlin. Listen to the Q&A which featured writer/director, Shirel Peleg, producer Christine Guenther, and the film's stars, Moran Rosenblatt, Luise Wolfram, John Carroll Lynch, and Rivka Michaeli, and moderated by CNN Correspondent Holly Firfer. And you'll hear from hosts Brad and Sara about some other guest highlights and upcoming not-to-be-missed panel discussions, and how to watch them.

Though audiences will experience most of this year's Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in the Virtual Cinema, organizers were also committed to finding fun and innovative ways to safely bring the community together. Thus, plans for a night at the drive-in were born! Three nights, actually. Thanks to an exclusive partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 2021 AJFF will feature screenings at the 11-acre greenspace, The Home Depot Backyard. This safe-but-shared moviegoing experience, set against a spectacular backdrop, will include Young Professionals Night and the SXSW comedy of discomfort, Shiva Baby, plus a pair of campy, kitschy 80s classics: Mel Brooks' Spaceballs and the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors. To learn more about the drive-in experience AJFF has in store for you at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including some special extras, join our latest podcast as host Sara is joined by our drive-in event planners, Film AJFF Programming Manager Shellie Schmals and Event Operations Manager Chris Holland.

We're counting down to the start of this year's Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and here to help you get ready for our hybrid 21st edition. By now, you may have perused the film lineup in the AJFF program guide or website. With such a diverse array of international and independent movies to pick from, it's not always easy to choose. Our latest podcast turns to two trusted voices: Emory Film Studies Chair Dr. Matthew Bernstein and AJFF Board member, as well as AJFF Film Evaluation Co-Chair and Emory Spanish and Jewish Studies Professor Dr. Hazel Gold. As you prepare to make your movie picks, we can't think of better festival friends to guide you through the 38 feature narrative and documentary films (and don't forget the shorts!), coming soon to the best seat in your house.

Our hybrid 21st edition of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is nearly here! The movie lineup has been unveiled online, program guides are arriving in mailboxes…and now, it's time for you to get ready to fest! With so much to explore and anticipate, there is no better way to usher in the annual festival than to hear directly from our very own festival leadership. Join podcast host Sara for a conversation with AJFF Board president and vice president, Max Leventhal and Sari Earl, as well as AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank. They'll share their reflections on the extraordinary challenges of mounting a film festival during the pandemic, as well as the festival experiences they are most excited to share with the community. It's a unique behind-the-scenes vantagepoint on what has been an extraordinary undertaking and labor of love in service to you, our devoted audience.