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.

On February 8th, AJFF will co-host a new event, the Creative Loafing Art Party at the Westside Cultural Arts Center. The party will celebrate Jewish filmmakers throughout Hollywood's history, as well as feature modern pop art on display.

This year's lineup is stellar, to say the least. From opening night presentation, "Run Boy Run," to closing night film, "Next Year Jerusalem," several highly-anticipated Jewish themed films from 20 different countries have made the list. Highlights from the lineup include "Bethlehem," "Big Bad Wolves," "The German Doctor," "Ida," "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life," "Omar" and "Rock the Casbah." In the coming weeks, we will showcase more of 'What to See at the 2014 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.'

This year marks the 14th year of what has become a can't miss celebration for all Atlanta film fans—whether you are Jewish or not! Tickets go on sale January 5th and the festival runs from January 29th through February 20th. Check out more information at www.ajff.org.