Jewish Film Festival Bringing 'American Tail' to Regal Cinemas Medlock

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival recently kicked off at the Fox Theatre in Midtown, but it will make its way up to Johns Creek in a couple of weeks, bringing with it a 25th anniversary screening of the animated classic "An American Tail."

Mark Kopkin, a Johns Creek resident who is co-chairing the festival's North Metro Committee, says that the film festival, in its 11th year, made the decision several years ago to expand into outlying areas. This year will be its fourth year in Johns Creek, "where we did really well last year and we are growing every single year," he said.

"Our mantra is 'films with a Jewish twist,' " Kopkin said, adding that the festival attracts more than the Jewish population. "A good percentage comes from churches, choirs and educational groups."

The Saturday, Feb. 19, film, "The Matchmaker," is already sold out, Kopkin said, but "the Sunday films are very diverse." The screening of "An American Tail" on Sunday, Feb. 20, should be a natural draw for families as children can have their photos taken in front of a green screen that will take them to the world of Fievel Mousekewitz. Goodie bags will also be given out.

The Johns Creek portion of the film festival, presented by the American Jewish Committee, will take place Feb. 19-20 at . Screenings and speakers include:

• Feb. 19, 8 p.m.: The Matchmaker (sold-out). This coming-of-age tale tells the story of the friendship between an Israeli teen and a Holocaust survivor and won seven Israeli Academy Awards. Guest speakers include Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker and North Metro Co-Chairs Mark Kopkin and Lesley Radov.
• Feb. 20, 11:10 a.m.: The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground. This documentary chronicles the Grammy-winning klezmer band. Guest speakers include Lois Reltzes of WABE 90.1 FM; director and producer Erik Greenberg Anjou; and the Klezmatics' Lisa Gutkin and Matt Darriau.
• Feb. 20, 2:10 p.m.: An American Tail. The 25th anniversary screening of the animated classic tells the story of Russian-Jewish immigrant mice and their son, Fievel Mousekewitz, who gets lost and must search the streets of New York City to find his family. Guest speakers include director and renowned animator Don Bluth and producer Gary Goldman.
• Feb. 20, 4:40 p.m.: The Trotsky. This comedy features a Jewish teen living in Montreal who is convinced he's the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky. Guest speakers include Rabbi Michael Bernstein of Congregation Gesher L'Torah.
• Feb. 20, 7:20 p.m.: The Round Up. This drama tackles French collusion during the Holocaust. Guest speakers include Catherine M. Lewis, director of Holocaust education at Kennesaw State; producer Alain Goldman; and writer and director Roselyne Bosch.

To see a complete festival schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.ajff.org.