Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s 26th edition spotlights resilience-themed films with metro-wide screenings and streaming access
Festival dates, venues and programming scope
The 26th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opened on February 18, 2026, and is scheduled to run through March 3, with in-person screenings spread across multiple venues in metro Atlanta. A follow-up virtual window is set for March 6–15, offering a selection of titles for at-home viewing.
Organizers say this year’s program centers on stories that address identity, family, and resilience, while also mapping the diversity of Jewish experience across geography and generations. The festival lineup spans dozens of feature-length films and short works representing 20 countries, with a slate that includes world premieres as well as North American and U.S. premieres.
Films framing courage, survival and moral choice
Several highlighted screenings focus on individuals navigating high-stakes circumstances, including films rooted in real events. Among them is the North American premiere of “Stay Forte,” described by festival materials as a drama based on the story of three hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks who attempt to escape captivity. Two scheduled screenings—February 23 and February 24—are planned to include guest speakers and a moderated question-and-answer segment.
Programming also includes films engaging with the aftermath of Oct. 7, as well as works that look to earlier historical periods and the lasting impact of persecution, displacement, and war. Festival descriptions emphasize that these titles examine personal decisions under pressure, the strain placed on families and communities, and the long arc of recovery after violence or upheaval.
Conversation programming and a filmmaker-support initiative
Beyond screenings, the festival is again staging discussion events under its “In Conversation” banner, designed as free sessions that examine themes raised by featured films. These gatherings are scheduled at CityBar in Sandy Springs with an option to watch remotely.
One segment is set to include discussion of “The Day After,” a film that follows Palestinians and Israelis traveling to Northern Ireland to study how peace was established there. The project is identified by festival materials as the first recipient of a Filmmaker Fund launched by the organization behind the festival—an initiative intended to provide mentorship, guidance, and financial support for filmmakers developing original work.
How to attend
In-person screenings run February 18 through March 3 at participating metro Atlanta venues.
Select films will be available during the festival’s virtual cinema window from March 6 to March 15.
Some screenings are scheduled to include post-film discussions with guest speakers.
The festival’s 2026 program is positioned around stories of endurance and recovery, pairing screenings with structured public discussions that extend the films’ themes into community conversation.