Post Event Alert!

PAUL WALTER HAUSER ATTENDS SPECIAL SCREENING OF

RICHARD JEWELL AT 2026 ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL

MCKENNA GRACE ACCEPTS PHOENIX AWARD 

AT A SPECIAL SCREENING OF GIFTED

(L-R) McKenna Grace and Christopher Escobar

ATLANTA – The 50th annual Atlanta Film Festival continued its milestone celebration on Saturday, April 25, with an appearance by Paul Walter Hauser for a special screening of Richard Jewell, followed by a conversation honoring his acclaimed performance in the Atlanta-set drama.

Paul Walter Hauser

Part of the festival’s 50th Anniversary Legacy Screenings series, the event spotlighted films with deep ties to Georgia’s film industry. Hauser reflected on portraying Richard Jewell, the real-life security guard at the center of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing investigation, discussing the emotional weight of the role and the responsibility of telling a true story rooted in Atlanta history. The screening drew a strong crowd and underscored the festival’s commitment to celebrating stories connected to the region.

Later in the evening, the festival honored Emmy Award-nominated actress Mckenna Grace with the Phoenix Award during a special screening ofGifted at the Tara Theatre.

Originally filmed in Atlanta, Gifted was also featured in the Legacy Screenings series. The event included a red carpet, award presentation, and a pre-screening Q&A celebrating Grace’s growing career and contributions to Georgia’s production community.

During the conversation, Grace reflected on filming Gifted as a formative experience that deepened her understanding of filmmaking and confirmed her passion for acting. She spoke about growing up on sets and learning from both cast and crew, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the industry.

Grace also highlighted her connection to Atlanta, calling it one of her favorite cities and noting her continued work in the region. She is currently filming a live-action Scooby-Doo series for Netflix, in which she stars as Daphne Blake. She described preparing for the role by exploring the franchise’s history and expressed admiration for Daphne’s balance of strength and femininity.

The Q&A also touched on her range of work, from horror films like Annabelle: Creation to upcoming projects including The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Grace credited the horror genre as a key influence on her career and shared personal memories of bonding with her father over classic films.

Closing the evening, Grace expressed gratitude for receiving the Phoenix Award, calling it a meaningful and humbling honor. Together, both events highlighted the festival’s celebration of talent, storytelling, and Atlanta’s expanding role as a hub for film and television production.