Atom Egoyan's "Remember" Opens Up 16th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (***½)

Christopher Plummer stars in "Remember."

Kicking off this year’s much anticipated Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, “Remember” stars Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer as an elderly Holocaust survivor who embarks on a journey for revenge. Plummer plays Zev Gutman, a Jewish man who has just lost his wife to cancer and can’t seem to remember who or where he is for more than a few hours at a time. Zev is sent on a mission by a friend of his at the nursing home to find and kill a man who murdered both of their families in Auschwitz during WWII.

What to See at the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

The largest Jewish film festival in the world returns for its Sweet Sixteen. Here is a list of titles for you to check out during the 23-day event.

We love that each new year of the Georgia film festival circuit kicks off with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The city's most widely attended film event stretches out over three weeks at eight different venues across Midtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Alpharetta, Marietta, Vinings and Sandy Springs. No film festival in the state packs the house as consistently as AJFF and we are looking forward to joining in the opening night ceremonies on Tuesday, January 26 at the Cobb Energy Centre.

This year's lineup is as strong as ever, with films pouring in from all over the world and covering all sorts of thematic ground. Whether you want academic documentaries, Israeli award-winners, Japanese biopics, romantic comedies, musicals or whatever else you can think of—AJFF '16 has it.

We've compiled a long list of films you must see this year! See our picks after the jump.

Photos: 2,200+ Turn Out for Atlanta Jewish Film Festival's Opening Night

The huge crowd awaits AJFF's opening night presentation of "Above and Beyond."

For the third year in a row, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Vinings served as the venue for the opening night gala and film presentation of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Formerly held at the similarly sized Fox Theatre in Midtown, the Cobb Energy Centre's large ballroom and 2,700+ seat capacity make for an exceptional space for the largest annual film event in Atlanta.

Nearly a dozen of Atlanta's finest restaurants catered the event, offering up custom dishes for the enthusiastic audience. Live music—presented by the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival—and an open bar aided in the festivities, which included several raffles, an interactive red carpet photo booth and lots of mingling with Atlanta's movers and shakers.

The film presentation was documentary "Above and Beyond," which Christo reviewed earlier this week. Directed by Roberta Grossman (AJFF alum with 2013's "Hava Nagila (The Movie)") and produced by Nancy Spielberg (Steven Spielberg's sister), "Above and Beyond" chronicles the incredible story of Israel's first air force and their growth from a rag-tag team of volunteers to a powerful military force.

It was an incredible evening and a great start to the 23-day festival. Check out several photos after the jump!

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off its 15th Edition with "Above and Beyond" (****)

An image from "Above and Beyond."

Tonight, the 15th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off at the Cobb Energy Centre in Vinings. Following a luxurious gala event, a screening of "Above and Beyond" will play to an audience of several thousand.

"Above and Beyond," directed by Roberta Grossman and produced by Nancy Spielberg, tells the little-known story of the group of young men who volunteered to help create the Israeli Air Force following World War II. The documentary explores historical, factual happenings as told by the actual men involved. Filled with nostalgic disbelief and whole-hearted appreciation for one another, the men (now in their 70s and 80s) recall their experiences and walk us through this immensely important time in Jewish history. The outcome is a moving and engrossing story of bravery, loyalty and faith.

What to See at the 2015 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Six continents are represented across dozens of narratives, documentaries and short films in this diverse program from the 15th edition of the Southeast's largest film festival. Here are 23 films you need to see this year.

In its 15-year history, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has risen to the top of Georgia's and the Southeast's film festival circuits in terms of both attendees and expansive programming. Now spanning 25 days of film screenings at 7 venues—plus numerous parties—AJFF is one of the most well orchestrated and highly publicized events in the state each year.

This year's program offers the same great range in international Jewish or Jewish-interest films we've come to expect from the festival. You certainly don't have to be Jewish to attend or to enjoy these films; the festival's biggest hurdle being that of reaching beyond their obvious clientele. All that simply matters for you to enjoy AJFF is that you must like great films!

Whether you check out Israel's biggest hit films from the last year (Golden Globe nominee "Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem" or "Zero Motivation") or you want to educate yourself through a variety of non-fiction films ("Above All Else," "Raise the Roof"), there is something for everyone. There are world premieres ("Dough") and special anniversary screenings ("Avalon," "The Shop on Main Street").

The 15th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off next Wednesday, January 28th at the Cobb Energy Center and runs through February 19th at several different venues in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Marietta and Alpharetta.

Check out nearly two dozen of our picks for this year's festival!

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off with "Run Boy Run" (***½)

'Snow Jam 2014' postponed opening night events until Thursday, but the popular film festival was still kickstarted in style.

The beautiful Cobb Energy Centre, home to the AJFF opening night extravaganza.

I suppose just about everyone knows what this week looked like in Atlanta. Mid-day Tuesday, as the entire Metro Area poured out of their workplaces and schools, simultaneously making their way home, the snow began to cover the roads with equal fervor. Needless to say, the resulting mess brought international attention to the city.

Wednesday, nearly everything was shut down—schools, offices, Starbucks, even the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival's opening night gala and film presentation. Strangely enough, last year's January weather was extreme in a different way. Severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings forced AJFF to issue a weather alert via email reminding patrons to drive carefully to the opening night event.

Alas, Georgia's less-than-predictable weather can only postpone—not cancel—events as big as the Southeast's largest film festival and the opening night festivities went on as planned just one day later at the Cobb Energy Centre in Vinings. The chosen film was "Run Boy Run" and director Pepe Danquart was in attendance along with a couple thousand of the city's film fans. —Cameron McAllister

What to see at the 2014 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Oscar-nominees, Israeli blockbusters, European documentaries and everything in between— Here are 27 films worth checking out at the Southeast's largest film festival.

At fourteen years old, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is in a great place. Now the largest film festival in the Southeastern United States, I fully expect it to be declared the largest Jewish film festival in world when ticket sales are finalized next month.

The sprawling three-week event has always been a source of excellent programming, with plenty of movies to appeal to people across the board. Estimates for the number of non-Jewish festival-goers hover at around 25% of total attendees, but there is definitely room for growth there. Good films abound at AJFF, and good films are good whether you are Jewish or not! I've been attending for half-a-decade and this year's lineup looks to be the strongest I've seen yet.

From opening night selection "Run Boy Run" to closing night documentary, "Next Year Jerusalem"—there is something for everyone to enjoy. Foreign Language Oscar submissions from Argentina, Czech Republic, Israel, Macedonia, Palestine (one of the nominees, "Omar") and The Philippines all feature in the lineup, as well as the Oscar-nominated documentary short film, "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life." Ophir nominees and Israeli box office hits like "Bethlehem," "Big Bad Wolves," "Hunting Elephants," "Kidon," "Rock the Casbah" and "The Wonders" are highlights, as are films from across Europe and South America. This year's documentaries cover a variety of subjects, from famed filmmakers and political figures to the Holocaust and modern Israeli issues. Four films feature in special anniversary screenings, including a 25th anniversary presentation of the Georgia set-and-shot winner of the 1989 Academy Award for Best Picture, "Driving Miss Daisy."

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, January 29th and runs through February 20th. Check out our list of over two dozen films to see at this year's festival, after the jump.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival poised to become the world's largest

The Southeast's largest film festival is getting ready to blanket the Metro Atlanta area with films for 23 days.

Last year's opening night event at the Cobb Energy Centre

While opening night doesn't take place until well over a month from now, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has released their 2014 lineup, kicking off the countdown for when tickets for the mega-fest go on sale. Last year—with no authority whatsoever—I declared the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival to be larger than the previous world's largest (and oldest) Jewish film fest, the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Both organizations have claimed 30,000+ in attendance for two years running, but the AJFF has maintained a steady growth rate for years. Officially, the AJFF still claims to be the second largest in the world, albeit the largest film festival of any nature in the Southeastern United States.

Sure to put the numbers well over the 30,000 mark this year, the AJFF is expanding its programming by 25%—a move that could easily push the festival into the title-holding position. The 23-day event features dozens of screenings for the 65-film deep catalog across seven venues. The opening night gala and film presentation will once again take place at the Cobb Energy Centre in Vinings. Closing night festivities will take place at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown—a new venue for the festival. United Artists Tara Cinemas in Buckhead, Georgia Theatre Company at Merchant's Walk in Marietta, Regal Cinemas at North Point in Alpharetta, Lefont Theaters in Sandy Springs and Regal Cinemas at Atlantic Station in Midtown all return as the principle screening venues.

Star spotting 04/19: Colin Farrell, Jon Hamm, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Reese Witherspoon

Colin Farrell, Jon Hamm and Nicole Kidman have all found work in Atlanta this spring.

It is certainly no secret that "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" has been filming all over Atlanta for the last month-and-a-half. Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate, James Marsden, Harrison Ford and David Koechner all star in the film that has covered the city with production crews from Turner Field and Summerhill to Upper Midtown and the West End. Apparently, Nicole Kidman was even in town briefly last week, filming a cameo appearance. Adam McKay directs.

"Solace," directed by Alfonso Poyart, will begin shooting in Atlanta in May. Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Abbie Cornish will star in the psychic crime drama. Although the genre might be a bit overdone these days, this cast promises good things. Some reports suggest filming will also take place in Detroit. More details to come.

Reese Witherspoon has been in town shooting "The Good Lie" from director Philippe Falardeau ("Monsieur Lazhar"). Corey Stoll and Arnold Oceng also star in the film about a Sudanese refuge who is taken in by an American woman. Filming has taken place in Atlanta, Dunwoody and Lawrenceville so far. Production will move to Africa after it wraps in Atlanta. Witherspoon shot another upcoming release "Devil's Knot" in Georgia last year.

"Million Dollar Arm" is the latest Disney movie that will film in Atlanta. Jon Hamm, Alan Arkin and Suraj Sharma will star in the film about a sports agent who recruits Asian cricket stars to play Major League Baseball. Production begins next month. Send crew résumés to milliondollarprods@gmail.com. Craig Gillespie ("Fight Night," "Lars and the Real Girl") directs a script from Thomas McCarthy ("The Station Agent," "Up," "The Visitor," "Win Win").

"A Friggin' Christmas Miracle" began filming in Atlanta last week. The film will star Robin Williams, Lauren Graham and Joel McHale. All three of these are gifted comedic talents, but lets hope they come up with a better title before this fall's release. Tristram Shapeero ("Community," "New Girl," "Parks and Recreation") directs.

"The Surgeon General" is a CBS television pilot that has been filming throughout downtown Atlanta and the Cobb Galleria area in Vinings. Sean Astin, Kathryn Morris and Jason Isaacs star in the prospective fall drama.

Spotted any celebrities or film crews around the state? Email us at reelga@gmail.com with the details and we'll post it here.

A few photos from the AJFF opening night

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival's opening night gala took place last Wednesday at the Cobb Energy Centre in Vinings. The event started off with a swanky red carpet gathering catered by a handful of Atlanta's top restaurants. I was on hand for the gala and the opening night film, "Hava Nagila (The Movie)." I'm no photographer and only had an iPhone on hand, but check out some photos after the jump.

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off tomorrow!

Tomorrow night, the 13th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off at the Cobb Energy Centre. The opening night gala begins at 5:00 PM with an open bar and food from landmark Atlanta restaurants like Alma Cocina, South City Kitchen, Woodfire Grill and more. "Hava Nagila (The Movie)" serves as the opening night film and promises to be a very lively start to the festival. Come sing along with us! The film starts at 7:30 PM. Don't have your ticket yet? What are you waiting for? Get them now at www.ajff.org!

Film synopsis and trailer after the jump.

What to see at the 2013 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Just over three weeks to go until the 2013 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off. Last year, 30,000 tickets were sold, matching the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival as the largest Jewish film festival in the United States and most certainly one of the largest in the world. With the exponential rate of the growth the fest has seen since its humble beginnings in 2000, I wouldn't be surprised if this year's AJFF sells thousands more tickets than last year's. In fact, three dozen screenings have already sold out.

This year's opening night gala takes place at the Cobb Energy Centre. All regular venues from last year are returning, so you'll be able to catch films at Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station, United Artists Tara Cinemas in Buckhead, Lefont Sandy Springs, Georgia Theatre Company at Merchant's Walk in Marietta and United Artists North Point Market in Alpharetta. You can see the schedule and purchase tickets at www.ajff.org.

I've highlighted 25 films from this year's festival, including the films from opening night, Gen-Y night and closing night as well as two anniversary screenings. Check out the list after the jump.

11/15 Star spotting: Billy Crystal, Denzel Washington, Marisa Tomei

Billy Crystal, Marisa Tomei and Bette Midler have been seen all over Atlanta for a few weeks now, filming family comedy, "Parental Guidance." Filming has taken place at Piedmont Park, Perimeter Mall and Cobb Energy Centre as well as various sites throughout Atlanta, Dunwoody and Johns Creek. Tomei in particular has been seen shopping and dining around town when not shooting.

Denzel Washington is currently filming Robert Zemeckis' new project "Flight" throughout Buckhead and Sandy Springs. John Goodman has also been spotted around town, while we have yet to hear anything about co-stars Don Cheadle and Melissa Leo.

Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill and Vince Vaughn have been filming "The Watch" on location in Marietta and Smyrna for several weeks and just moved the set to Midtown.

"The Walking Dead" is currently in production of season two and has been filming near Senoia and Hampton lately.

Spotted any celebrities around the state? Email us at reelga@gmail.com with the details and we'll post it here.