The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is celebrating its 25-year history by launching a $2.5 million fundraising campaign in honor of Kenny Blank, its executive and artistic director.
AJFF announced Thursday morning its plan for the “Kenny Blank Vision Initiative” to grow and expand the film festival’s impact into a yearlong hub for cultural engagement, education and storytelling.
The honorary co-chairs of the campaign are community leaders — Sheri and Steve Labovitz, along with Ingrid Saunders Jones, a civic leader and retired executive of the Coca-Cola Co.
AJFF, founded in 2000, has emerged as a cornerstone of Atlanta’s cultural landscape, fostering diversity, sparking dialogue and connecting communities through film. Today, AJFF is recognized as the world’s largest Jewish film festival. Its mission is to entertain, educate and bridge divides that go beyond the scope of the annual film festival.
“This 25th milestone is a springboard for growth, expanding education, investing in filmmakers, enhancing access, and driving innovation to deepen community impact,” Kenny Blank said in a statement. “I am deeply honored to have my name associated with this visionary initiative and humbled by the opportunity to continue shaping AJFF’s legacy. This campaign reflects not only our commitment to the transformative power of film but also the incredible community of supporters who have made AJFF what it is today.”
Dina Gerson, president of AJFF’s board, said the “Kenny Blank Vision Initiative” will Dina Gerson, president of AJFF’s board, said the “Kenny Blank Vision Initiative” will transcend the festival.
“Kenny’s vision is about more than amplifying the flagship annual festival — it’s about creating a year-round, always-on platform that sparks conversation, drives innovation, and builds bridges of cross-cultural understanding,” Gerson said in a release.
In addition to its annual flagship film festival, the initiative will advance AJFF’s strategic priorities across five key pillars:
- Education: expanding classroom programming, curriculum development, and student filmmaking opportunities.
- Community Relations: strengthening intergroup partnerships and fostering dialogue through dynamic intergroup conversations and community-focused events.
- Filmmaker Fund: supporting the next generation of Jewish storytellers with direct investment and mentorship.
- Access: breaking barriers to participation through expanded streaming offerings, free screening events, and ADA-compliant programming.
- Innovation: leveraging cutting-edge technology and world-class platforms to enhance audience engagement.
The honorary co-chairs are calling on Atlanta’s business leaders to support the transformative campaign.
“Throughout his 20 years of service, Kenny Blank has elevated AJFF to global prominence, uniting communities and thought leaders through the power of film,” according to the honorary co-chairs. “This initiative is a testament to his vision and AJFF’s impact as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and cultural connection. We’re honored to support this milestone and invite others to join us in shaping the organization’s expanded future.”
The 25th-anniversary celebration will launch with the annual AJFF Festival, which is running from February 19 to March 16. The films will be shown in theaters from Feb. 19 to March 6. Streaming will take place from March 7 to March 16.
In the interest of full disclosure, Maria Saporta serves as a co-chair of the AJFF Festival Outreach Committee.
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