Overview
The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is an Academy Award-qualifying and Canadian Screen Award-qualifying festival held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1976, the 50th edition runs April 23 to May 3, 2026. The festival screens 120+ films over 11 days, selected from 6,000+ submissions representing 110+ countries. Over 90% of the program is composed of submitted films, making ATLFF one of the most submission-driven festivals in the United States.
The festival distributes $100,000 in combined cash and prizes. Audience attendance exceeds 28,000 across the festival's run. In the 2026 festival, 47% of the program selected from submissions was directed by women and gender nonconforming directors, 54% by BIPOC directors, and 29% of selected films came from Georgia filmmakers.
For filmmakers: ATLFF accepts open submissions via FilmFreeway across feature, short, documentary, animation, experimental, episodic, music video, and VR categories. Submission fees range from $10 to $105 depending on category and deadline. The festival is Academy Award-qualifying in Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short categories, meaning jury winners in those categories qualify for Oscar consideration the following year. Georgia-resident filmmakers who shot at least partially in Georgia receive a discounted submission fee. Student submissions receive $5 off.
Key Sections and Programs
- Feature Film Competition: Narrative and documentary features (40+ minutes) competing for jury prizes.
- Short Film Competition: Narrative, documentary, animated, and experimental shorts (under 40 minutes). Academy Award-qualifying categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short.
- Documentary Competition: Nonfiction features.
- Atlanta Stories: Films made in Atlanta and Georgia productions.
- Screenplay Competition: Script competition running alongside the film program.
- Youth Films: Programming for younger audiences.
- Episodic and Music Video: Additional submission categories.
- Virtual Reality: VR film submissions accepted.
Submission Details
Deadlines and Fees (2026 Festival)
Submissions open May 4, 2025 via FilmFreeway. Notification date: February 13, 2026.
| Deadline | Date | Feature Films | Short Films | Experimental Shorts | VR Films |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early | May 30, 2025 | $50 | $35 | $15 | $10 |
| Regular | June 26, 2025 | $60 | $40 | $20 | $15 |
| Late 1 | September 12, 2025 | $70 | $55 | $25 | $20 |
| Late 2 | October 17, 2025 | $85 | $60 | $35 | $30 |
| Final | November 7, 2025 | $105 | $80 | $55 | $40 |
Georgia Discount (feature and short films, director must reside in Georgia and film must be at least partially shot in Georgia):
| Deadline | Feature Films (GA) | Short Films (GA) |
|---|---|---|
| Early | $40 | $25 |
| Regular | $50 | $30 |
| Late 1 | $60 | $45 |
| Late 2 | $70 | $50 |
| Final | $85 | $65 |
All deadlines are at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (EDT for early deadlines, EST for the final deadline).
Eligibility Requirements
- Films must have been produced after October 1, 2023
- Feature films: over 40 minutes; Short films: under 40 minutes
- Feature films publicly released online, on VOD, or on DVD prior to the festival are not eligible
- Films are not required to be a World Premiere, but premiere status is considered in final selections
- Films should be at minimum a Georgia (state) premiere
- All foreign-language films must be submitted with English subtitles
- All accepted films must provide captions for screening
- Submissions must be made via FilmFreeway
Discounts
- Georgia Filmmaker Discount: Available for films at least partially shot in Georgia with a director residing in Georgia. Email ga@atlantafilmfestival.com with proof of residency to obtain a discount code before submitting.
- Student Discount: $5 off submission fee. Activate on FilmFreeway by selecting "Student" during checkout. Film must have been completed while enrolled as a student.
- Alumni Waivers: Full fee waivers available only to ATLFF alumni and filmmakers from countries where international sanctions prevent fee payment.
Awards and Prize Money
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Narrative Feature | $1,500 cash + theatrical run |
| Best Documentary Feature | $1,500 cash + theatrical run |
| Best Narrative Short | $750 cash (Academy Award-qualifying) |
| Best Documentary Short | $750 cash (Academy Award-qualifying) |
| Best Animated Short | $750 cash (Academy Award-qualifying) |
| Best Cinematography | $90,000 value in camera and post rental/services |
| Georgia Feature Award | $1,500 cash + theatrical run |
| Georgia Short Award | $750 cash |
Total combined cash and prizes: $100,000.
Academy Award Qualifying Status
ATLFF is one of only two dozen Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the United States. The winners of Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short qualify for consideration in the following year's Academy Awards in their respective short film categories. The festival is also Canadian Screen Award-qualifying.
Market and Industry Activity
ATLFF does not operate a formal film market. Industry activity centers on filmmaker networking events, Q&A sessions, and the festival's connections to Georgia's large production sector. Georgia has become one of the most active US states for film and television production due to its 30% tax incentive (20% base + 10% promotional logo uplift), making ATLFF a useful networking platform for filmmakers working in or considering production in the Southeast.
Festival History
Founded in 1976, the Atlanta Film Festival is one of the oldest and longest-running film festivals in the United States. The 2026 edition marks the 50th anniversary. The festival has grown alongside Atlanta's transformation from a regional center into a major production hub, driven by Georgia's tax incentive program. ATLFF has been recognized as Best Film Festival by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, 10Best, and Atlanta Magazine.
Practical Information for Attendees
- 2026 Dates: April 23 to May 3, 2026
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Duration: 11 days
- Audience: 28,000+ attendees
- Program Size: 120+ films from 6,000+ submissions
- Submission Platform: FilmFreeway
- Contact for Submissions: submit@atlantafilmfestival.com
- Contact for Georgia Discount: ga@atlantafilmfestival.com
- Official Website: atlantafilmfestival.com
- Submission FAQ: atlantafilmfestival.com/film-submission-faq
See Also
For Georgia film production and tax incentive information, see Film Locations. For festival submission strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to evaluate the cost-benefit of submitting to Atlanta and other festivals.
Festival Submission Resources
The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
Christopher Schiller's comprehensive guide to navigating the festival circuit, from submission strategy to on-the-ground networking.
Film Festival Secrets
A practical handbook for filmmakers on selecting the right festivals, preparing submission materials, and maximizing festival exposure.
DCP Media Drives
Browse B&H Photo's selection of DCP-compatible hard drives and media for festival delivery requirements.
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