Travel to Jerusalem in Imax at Fernbank

Mondays-Saturdays: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sundays: 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Martinis & Imax:

Fridays, “Jerusalem” showing at 9 p.m.

'JERUSALEM CHALLENGE'

National Geographic Entertainment and the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have launched “The Jerusalem Challenge.” The competition will allow people in the United States and Canada to share their ideas about ways to build understanding between people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds.

The grand prize winner in each of two age categories is a trip for two to Jerusalem and $2,500 to put toward the work already being done by the winner or to help make the winning idea a reality.

Participants can submit applications online at http://facebook.com/jerusalemthemovie through March 2.

They are asked to submit an essay or video response to the question: What ideas do you have or what are you already doing to make the world a better place by bringing people together from different cultures, backgrounds or beliefs?

Jerusalem is one of the most sacred and most contested cities in the world.

It’s historically and religiously significant to three major faiths — Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Now, you can get a unique, spectacular view of the ancient city through National Geographic Entertainment's "Jerusalem," which is playing in Imax at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History through April 3.

The 43-minute film, directed by Daniel Ferguson, takes viewers to such holy sites as the Dome of the Rock, the Jordan River, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall.

The filmmakers received special permission to fly over parts of the city.

Three teens, who live in different parts of the city and are of different faiths, serve as tour guides showing us their Jerusalem, which is probably one of the most refreshing elements of the film, which doesn’t wander off into the often-bloody politics of the region.

There’s Farah Ammouri, a Muslim; Nadia Tadros, a Christian; and Revital Zacharie, who is Jewish. All three share a love of Jerusalem, its history and their families’ place there.

Archaeologist Jodi Magness, who worked on the project, said people might be surprised about the rich history and diversity of Jerusalem.

“People may think they’re fairly well-informed about the modern political debates and controversy surrounding the Holy Land, but I don’t know if people think they are actually well-informed and knowledgeable about Jerusalem as a city,” said Magness, a professor of early Judaism and archeology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The film captures footage during some of the major holy periods including Passover, Easter and the end of Ramadan.

The film, she said, gives a balanced view of the city and “makes it clear there are many different religious traditions. … The goal is not to prioritize one religious tradition over another. Jerusalem is certainly dear and sacred to many different people.”

Watch the trailer: