Atlanta Jewish Film Festival launches first student competition to build bridges

ATLANTA — For 25 years, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has celebrated culture, storytelling, and the shared human experience.

This year, the festival is giving a platform to the next generation of storytellers with its first-ever student competition, focused on the theme of building bridges. Young filmmakers are using their daily experiences to shed light on issues such as bullying, family, and acceptance.  

Levi Lockhart, a student filmmaker, said, “We want to bring out the message that like everyone’s the same.” 

Levi and fellow student Antonio Freeman co-wrote a short film about a girl bullied because of her dark skin. Freeman explained, “Just because someone is from a different place or they have different standards or look different doesn’t mean that they’re just a bad person or anything like that.”

The festival provides guidance through every stage of filmmaking, helping students use storytelling to explore human connection.

Kaylin Berinhout of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival said, “We have a saying in Judaism, ‘l’dor v’dor’—from generation to generation. Youth have a lot to say, and it’s important to listen.”

Students Madlyn Goldman and Ansley Hall focused on family and relationships in their films.

Goldman said, “I want people to know that communication and trusting people is OK, and that opening up is one of the biggest things you can do.” 

Hall added, “Family isn’t always blood, and although it can be messy sometimes, it’s ultimately something worth fighting for.”

The hope is that these young storytellers can inspire empathy, understanding, and connection through their films. 100 students participated in the competition. The winning film will premiere during this year’s festival, which runs until March 3.