The 50th annual Atlanta Film Festival opened with a bang. Or more accurately, it opened with raucous laughter at the sold-out Opening Night presentation of “Idiots” on April 23 at the Plaza Theatre.
“Idiots,” a 2026 Sundance Film Festival hit, follows two “unqualified bozos” played by Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr., who are hired to transfer a wealthy teen (Mason Thames) to rehab in a job that turns to chaos.
Film star O’Shea Jackson Jr. and producer Alex Orr joined the opening night screening to talk about the raucous comedy.
“My favorite part of this movie is that it does speak to people who want to do good,” Jackson Jr. said. “But you do look like of like an idiot – we all look like an idiot a few times in our lives.”
O’Shea Jackson Jr. plays Davis, a character who “wants to do good, but it never turns out that way.” He said the character represents someone plenty of people know: a pushover in need of a self-awakening.
As the trio embarks to rehab, the characters travel through “anywhere America.” But the production was actually shot and edited in Georgia.
Producer Alex Orr said the location was partially a strategic choice. “It’s an indie movie, so you’re always trying to find where the money works, and the incentives and all that stuff,” Orr said.
But Orr is also an Atlanta native. He has worked on TV series like “Atlanta” and “Chad Powers,” and directed the 2007 horror comedy “Blood Car” (set to play at the festival on May 3) When it came to producing “Idiots,” he knew to look for locations in spots like Paulding County.
“We were scouting around and tried a few places, you know, it’s always easier in your backyard,” Orr said.
After the sold-out screening, Orr and O’Shea Jackson Jr. joined a Q&A with Atlanta Film Society Executive Director Christopher Escobar,, where they discussed the making of “Idiots,” their love for independent film, and the challenges of the more action-filled scenes.
“Our student films played this festival,” Orr said. “Its really special to you know, be back again and opening the festival.”
The Atlanta Film Festival will run through May 3 with dozens of daily screenings, ranging from hits like “Idiots” to local favorites like “Frogtown.” On May 1, the festival will present the IMAGE Film Awards Gala at Assembly Atlanta, where Alex Orr will receive the inaugural Will Packer award to recognize achievement in producing.
