Honoring Excellence: AJFF’s 2025 Jury Award Winners

Read About the Selection Process

As the 25th Annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) comes to a close, we take time to honor the filmmakers, storytellers, and visionaries who have left an indelible mark on this year’s festival. The AJFF Jury Awards celebrate the films that challenge perspectives, spark dialogue, and offer a profound exploration of the human experience.

Each year, an esteemed panel of filmmakers, critics, industry experts, and students deliberate on the festival’s most compelling films, awarding prizes across six distinct categories: Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film, Emerging Filmmaker Award, Building Bridges Award, and Human Rights Award.

These awards reflect AJFF’s core mission—to inspire, educate, and foster understanding through the power of film. This year’s winners are testaments to the resilience, artistry, and storytelling that define cinema at its most impactful.

Best Narrative Feature: Pink Lady

At the heart of Pink Lady lies a deeply moving portrait of love, identity, and faith. Centered on an ultra-Orthodox couple, director Nir Bergman and screenwriter Mindi Erlich craft an intimate, emotionally layered story that beautifully captures the complexities of human connection within Israel’s religious community.

Jury Statement: “With Nir Bergman’s restrained direction and Mindi Erlich’s nuanced writing, this film is a touching story of identity and human complexity. Centered around an ultra-Orthodox couple, and containing two incredible lead performances, this film portrays not only the intricacies of love but the complexity of life in Israel.”

Best Documentary Feature: Riefenstahl

Few historical figures provoke as much fascination and controversy as Leni Riefenstahl. In Riefenstahl, director Andres Veiel constructs an astonishing self-portrait—allowing Riefenstahl’s own words and cinematic techniques to reveal the dangers of normalizing extremist ideologies.

Jury Statement: “This film provides a close-up seat to what happens when sycophants normalize a madman and his dangerous ideas. By centering Riefenstahl’s voice through her own famous films, volatile television appearances, and more, Veiel assembles a final, destructive cinematic achievement from one of the most controversial figures in cinema history.”

Best Short Film: The Sacred Society

Animation becomes a sacred art form in The Sacred Society, a breathtaking, sand-animated exploration of tahara, the Jewish tradition of preparing the deceased for burial. Director Benny Zelkowicz masterfully uses the impermanence of sand to reflect on life, death, and spiritual duty.

Jury Statement: “This film is both visually stunning and deeply symbolic, beautifully illustrating the passage of time and the return of the body to dust. The hauntingly evocative score enhances its emotional depth, drawing the audience into the profound spiritual journey of those who perform this sacred, anonymous ritual.”

Emerging Filmmaker Award: Tom Nesher for Come Closer

Director Tom Nesher delivers a deeply personal exploration of grief and unexpected connection in Come Closer, earning her the 2025 Emerging Filmmaker Award.

Jury Statement: “By sharing a story so specific and close to her, Nesher arrives at a universal truth—the loss of love that all can relate to. We congratulate Tom Nesher and look forward to her future films.”

Building Bridges Award: Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round

A vital piece of civil rights history comes to life in Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round, showcasing the coalition between Black and Jewish activists in Maryland’s first organized interracial protest.

Jury Statement: “This film reminds us of the bridges built in the past and invites us to follow their example, working together to build a more united future.”

Human Rights Award: Sapir

At the intersection of identity, sports, and resilience, Sapir follows a trailblazing transgender soccer referee navigating the intense scrutiny of professional athletics.

Jury Statement: “Sapir’s confidence and charisma captured our hearts and minds. It is ultimately a story of human triumph, fueled by love, family, and perseverance.”

A Celebration of Storytelling

The 2025 AJFF Jury Awards highlight the transformative power of film—from celebrating diverse narratives to challenging societal norms. The deliberations of our esteemed jurors reflect a deep appreciation for bold storytelling, artistic excellence, and films that leave a lasting impact.

As AJFF continues its legacy of championing Jewish and global cinema, these award-winning films will undoubtedly resonate far beyond the festival, sparking conversations for years to come.

Thank you to our jurors, filmmakers, and audiences for making the 25th AJFF a landmark year in cinema.