News & Opinion

Like Atlanta’s unlikely journey to host the 1996 Centennial Olympics, for The Games in Black and White filmmakers George Hirthler and Bob Judson, the path to make the new documentary—premiering at the 49th annual Atlanta Film Festival Saturday, April 26 at the Rialto Theatre for the Arts—was equally long and complicated.

The Atlanta Film Festival has always highlighted the best of the peach state, but local films are at the core of the 49th year of the festival. From April 24 to May 4, the festival screens 132 films—from documentaries to animated shorts to features—including 40 films with Georgia connections. Atlanta magazine spoke to the directors of two of these films to learn more about each feature and its local ties.

In a culture obsessed with competition, it comes as no surprise that even our trees have been put to the test. In honor of Earth Month, celebrated every April, this series documents a handful of Atlanta’s champion trees—just some of the towering neighbors with whom we share our city. Their size makes them notable, but they are perhaps most remarkable simply because they have stayed alive.

There's been a plethora of projects Sue Schroeder has created since reshaping her dance company four years ago. Through collaborations at home and abroad, Schroeder, 67, has discovered new ways to amplify her artistic voice and bring Atlanta more deeply into the conversation around experimental, movement-based art.

Atlanta is widely acknowledged as the tennis capital of the world, with more than 100,000 players throughout the metro area in leagues such as the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) and USTA Atlanta. It’s near impossible to get an exact number, with those participating in junior tennis, high school, and college teams, as well as those who play independently or in private clubs, adding to the tennis craze.

I’m not an athlete, but as I climb further into my 30s, I find myself caring more about physical fitness. The thing is, I need to have fun doing it. Chasing and hitting a ball is fun, plus there’s a social aspect. Last summer, I joined an ALTA league, unlocking a world of tennis I didn’t know existed in Atlanta. Starting a new sport can feel overwhelming, but fear not; I’m here to help you.

Yes, the Atlanta Open was not the best venue for tennis, though I do also see its temporary structure, and existence, as a sign: Commitment is important, for both the people with the checkbooks and pens, and the fans.

This month, the annual SweetWater 420 Fest reconvenes for its 20th year, held for the second time at Kirkwood’s Pullman Yards. The festival, hosted by SweetWater Brewing Company, is a celebration of Earth Day, music, and beer (and, for some, cannabis culture). Though the event has shrunk in recent years, it remains a beloved event and a surprising engine of water conservation.

St. Vincent brought her All Born Screaming tour to the Tabernacle on April 11, delivering a powerful set that showcased songs from her latest album by the same name. Here, check out the scenes photographer Perry Julien captured at the show.

In summer 2023, Atlanta Public Schools announced it was partnering with electric vehicle manufacturer The Lion Electric Company to begin transitioning its 400 school buses away from diesel-powered internal combustion engines. Ultimately, the school district plans to replace its entire fleet with zero-emission electric vehicles.