Georgia Film Festivals

Atlanta Film Festival (April 25 - May 5, 2024) - The Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference (ATLFF) traditionally takes place each spring with in-person events and screenings. One of the largest and longest-running festivals in the country, ATLFF showcases the work of both emerging and established artists. In addition, the Atlanta Film Festival is one of less than twenty US film festivals that is Academy Award®-qualifying in all three categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short. Recent festivals have seen audiences of over 28,000 film-lovers joining over 300 attending filmmakers in support of works that push the boundaries of independent cinema.

Atlanta Shortsfest (June 21 - 23, 2024) - Atlanta Shortsfest showcases a diverse mix of short films (under 45 minutes) by filmmakers from across the globe in a wide range of genres. The festival was established to spotlight and promote excellent short films, and provide an important platform to share work with appreciative audiences and fellow filmmakers. The 2024 festival will be held at Limelight Theater (349 Decatur Street Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312). 

Atlanta Children's Film Festival (June 7 - 23, 2024) - The Atlanta Children’s Film Festival promotes positive, educational, and entertaining children’s and family-oriented films. This educational and fun festival is two weeks of eye-opening and exciting activities which include film screenings, media literacy and film workshops for children, families and industry professionals. One of the goals of this festival is to introduce youth to careers in film and television. 

Cobb International Film Fest, Marietta (August 1 - 4, 2024) - Held annually at Marietta's Strand Theatre, the Cobb International Film Fest "is a meeting place for filmmakers and people who are interested in the world in all its variety and  different approaches to life. The festival offers filmmakers a platform to introduce their work and discuss topics shown in the film as well as the filmmaking process to encourage and create dialogue between people." The four-day festival includes features, shorts, and documentaries from all over the world, culminating in a closing awards program.

Macon Film Festival, Macon (August 15 - 18, 2024) - Surrounded by a rich musical and Southern culture, the Macon Film Festival celebrates independent films while promoting filmmaking for entertainment, inspiration education and economic development. The Macon Film Festival screens independent films from around the world in multiple historic theaters in the city's downtown district. The festival features film screenings, celebrity guests, special screenings and workshops throughout the four-day festival.

Atlanta Underground Film Festival (August 16 - 18, 2024) - Since 2004, the Atlanta Underground Film Festival (AUFF) has served as a forum where filmmakers thrive outside the mainstream arena. Creative artists who continuously break the boundaries of film and video are exposed and promoted through the festival, so they too have a voice in a market typically saturated with commercial entertainment designed to satisfy the audience's expectations. The 2024 festival will be held at Limelight Theater (349 Decatur Street Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312). 

BronzeLens Film Festival Atlanta (August 21 - 25, 2024) - The BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia, is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 that is dedicated to bringing national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color. In fact, the mission of the BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta is twofold: to promote Atlanta as the new film mecca for people of color and to showcase films and provide networking opportunities that will develop the next generation of filmmakers. Most screenings will be held at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta. The free Cinema and Social Justice Sunday screenings will take place at Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta.

Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival, Atlanta (September 17 - 21, 2024) - Morehouse College's Human Rights Film Festival features screenings of feature films, documentaries and short films in competition. The goal of the festival is threefold: to educate and expand awareness of social justice issues, both nationally and worldwide; to generate conversation and dialogue around civil and human rights, justice and injustice, as well as to inspire innovative and creative new approaches to social change.

Georgia Film Festival, Gainesville (September 19 - 21, 2024) - Hosted by the University of North Georgia (UNG) School of Communication, Film & Theatre (CFT), the festival takes place on its Gainesville campus. GFF celebrates filmmakers & films based in the state of Georgia and in the southeast. The festival features great indie films and workshops led by industry experts.

Atlanta Indian Film Festival, Atlanta (September 20 - 22, 2024) - The Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (GIACC) is proud to present its one-of-a-kind Atlanta Indian Film Festival at Atlanta's Tara Theater. The event will include movie screenings, post-screening discussions with the movie’s artists and local film experts, as well as opportunities for in-person dialogue with filmmakers. An opening night gala October 6 at the Twelve Midtown in Atlanta kicks off the festival with celebrity guests attending. 

Georgia Latino International Film Festival, Norcross (September 26 - 29, 2024 - Each year during Hispanic Heritage Month the Georgia Latino Film Festival brings together 4 inspiring days filled with premieres, classes, panels, exclusive parties, and awards showcasing the top storytellers and film makers in the Latino Film Industry and Georgia.

Out On Film, Atlanta (September 26 - October 6, 2024) - One of the oldest LGBTQ film festivals in the country, Atlanta's Out on Film is dedicated to supporting the exhibition of LGBTQ film and video art forms. A nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, Out on Film was created in 1987 to inform, entertain, educate and enrich the regional LGBTQ community by recognizing the creative work of these artists and professionals, many with local connections. Out on Film's popularity is accomplished in part by offering multiracial and multicultural films, and over the years it has been recognized locally, nationally and globally for showcasing films by, for and about the LGBTQ community.

Atlanta Sci-fi Film Festival, Peachtree Corners (October 4 - 6, 2024) - The mission of the annual Atlanta Sci-fi Film Festival is to provide screens for the finest independent sci-fi films locally and internationally, to increase cultural diversity and interest in the genre, and to inspire the local sci-fi community by cultivating engaging art. The Festival is free with registration and will be held in Peachtree Corners Town Center at CMX CineBistro.

Atlanta Horror Film Festival (October 4 - 6, 2024) - The annual Atlanta Horror Film Festival celebrates the art of horror by presenting the best independent films in the genre from across the world. Since 2006, the festival has been a favorite of filmmakers and fans from Atlanta and beyond. AHFF showcases horror, sci-fi, gore, thrillers, mysteries, dark comedies, expERIEmentals, drama, animations, cult — and more. The 2024 festival will be held at Limelight Theater, 349 Decatur St. SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30312. 

Urban Mediamakers Film Festival, Atlanta (October 14 - 27, 2024) - Founded in November 2001, Urban Mediamakers' mission is to promote and support a diverse independent media arts community in the Southeast and worldwide. The group's annual signature event is the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF), showcasing international independent films. The Urban Mediamakers Association is a not-for-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) consortium of young talent and professionals in animation, film, gaming, music, new media, print and television.

SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Savannah (October 26 - November 2, 2024) - The Savannah College of Art and Design presents the annual festival, filled with cinematic creativity from both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. Each year, more than 40,000 people attend the eight-day Savannah Film Festival. The festival is host to a wide variety of competition film screenings, special screenings, workshops, panels and lectures.

Rome International Film Festival, Rome (October 31 - November 3, 2024) - Since its inception, RIFF has prided itself on providing filmmakers with a truly unique, sophisticated and welcoming experience, featuring two full days of screenings, parties and professional networking and development opportunities. Emerging as a favorite among regional audiences, the festival has garnered strong support from local businesses and eager film lovers from the surrounding community. It was selected as one of “20 film festivals worth the entry fee” by MovieMaker Magazine.

Buried Alive Film Festival, Atlanta (November 7 - 10, 2024) - The Buried Alive Film Fest comes from the same group of twisted minds and horror film buffs that produce the Atlanta Horror Fest. The festival strives to promote true underground filmmaking in the Southeast and beyond, while providing the Atlanta area with the best independent horror it can offer.

The ME Film Festival, Milledgeville (2024 dates TBA) - The ME Film Festival (Milledgeville-Eatonton) is an international industry initiative founded in 2013 as the Milledgeville Film Festival. The six-day event is branded as a Southern Gothic-themed film event, created by filmmakers for filmmakers. Women’s Impact in Filmmaking and New Media are two main focuses of interest for this internationally-flavored line up. 

African Film Festival Atlanta (2024 dates TBA) - The African Film Festival Atlanta is a signature event of the African Film & Arts Foundation Inc, a non-profit organization whose mission is to magnify and celebrate the visions, voices, lives and stories of people from Africa and the African Diaspora. The 2023 festival will be virtual and in-person, with September events scheduled for the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture & History in Atlanta, and October events taking place in Alpharetta. 

Black Film Fest ATL (2024 dates TBA) - Conceived as a conduit for feature films of multicultural diaspora, the BFFA provides a creative environment where minority filmmakers can showcase their latest creations to diverse audiences in hopes of attracting reputable producers, sales agents, aggregators, and acquisition executives. 

SCAD aTVfest, Atlanta (2025 dates TBA) - SCAD's aTVfest is an international festival that brings together professionals from all spheres of TV and media content production to discuss industry trends, showcase the best work in the field, and participate in master classes with students.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Atlanta (2025 dates TBA) - The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is a multi-week cinematic exploration of Jewish life, culture and history. Seeking to use the power of film to both entertain and educate, AJFF challenges conventional perspectives on complex and challenging issues facing both the Jewish and global communities. In 2015, a record-breaking 38,600+ moviegoers attended the AJFF, cementing its status as the highest attended Jewish film fest on the planet.

South Georgia Film Festival, Valdosta (2025 dates TBA) - The South Georgia Film Festival showcases the art and industry of filmmaking across the region. It includes feature films and shorts, with a broad educational component featuring panels and Q&A’s of visiting filmmakers. These include PBS directors, professionals from Hollywood and Atlanta, and independent filmmakers. Projects from college and high school filmmakers are also included, as they  compete for potential scholarships to Valdosta State University.

Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival (Atlanta DocuFest), Atlanta (2025 dates TBA) - The annual Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival (Atlanta DocuFest) brings you the best in independent documentary film and video from across the globe, and showcases meaningful life stories which educate and entertain audiences of every demographic. The 2024 Festival will be held at Limelight Theater (349 Decatur Street Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312).