The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) today announced its film selections and schedule for the ninth annual celebration of Jewish life and culture through film. The festival, running from January 14-25, 2009 features 48 visually-stunning and evocative Jewish films that would otherwise not be available on the big screen in Atlanta. The films represent 20 nations and deliver the broad human relations mission of the American Jewish Committee, presenter of the AJFF.

From Argentina to Spain, from Israel to Switzerland, the selected films in the 2009 festival lineup represent a diverse array of cultures, yet tackle issues familiar to us all. This year’s featured films include Hello Goodbye, a French romantic comedy co-starring Fanny Ardant and Gérard Depardieu about a married Jewish couple living in Paris who flee to Israel during a midlife crisis, screening on Opening Night, and Strangers, the Young Professionals Night film selection, a narrative feature that traces the unlikely romance between an Israeli kibbutznik and a Palestinian woman who meet serendipitously on their way to the World Cup finals in Berlin.

“This year’s lineup touches on a wide array of subject matter, from thought-provoking to heart-wrenching to just plain funny,” said Executive Director Kenny Blank. “The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival features something for every kind of movie-lover, Jewish or non-Jewish.”

Tickets and a full film schedule for the 2009 festival are available on www.ajff.org. Films in the 2009 festival will be screened at Lefont Sandy Springs, Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station Stadium 16 and at the Regal Medlock Crossing Stadium 18, the festival’s North Metro venue in Duluth.

Founded in 2000, the AJFF has quickly grown in size and reputation, with an estimated attendance in 2009 expected to top 18,000 moviegoers. Screenings are supplemented by guest speakers, providing a dynamic forum for audience dialogue with actors, filmmakers, academics, authors and other expert panelists.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is presented by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, the country’s oldest human relations organization, to support its mission of “building bridges of understanding” across community lines. Since its founding in 2000, the AJFF has enjoyed robust growth across all fronts, including attendance, audience diversity, community visibility, depth and quality of programming, and sponsor participation. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is a non-profit event, and made possible with the generous support of corporate, foundation, government and individual sponsors.

The Ninth Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival will be held January 14-25, 2009. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, December 9, 2008. For more information, go to www.ajff.org or call 404-806-9913.