Festival start: 01 September 2027
Festival end: 30 September 2027
The American Motion Pictures Festival (AMPF) is a celebration of identity, movement, and memory, organized by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization — showcasing films that reflect the experience through the eyes of diverse creators. The festival provides a platform for voices that explore heritage, belonging, transformation, and the intersections of cultures.
Held Monthly and Annually in Greater Atlanta, the festival features a curated selection of narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and experimental films from across the United States and around the world.
Why is this the best and most effective film festival?
First and foremost, it is run by a non-profit organization. All your fees is spend to promoting your film.
American Motion Pictures Festival offers filmmakers a launchpad in the fast-growing place where multicultural narratives thrive amid world-class production capabilities.
Now Accepting Submissions
We invite filmmakers, actors, producers, and storytellers from all backgrounds to submit their works. Whether you're an emerging voice or an established artist, this is your opportunity to share bold, meaningful, and underrepresented stories with engaged audiences and industry professionals. We welcome films in any language, with a strong emphasis on cross-cultural perspectives, hybrid identities, and unique storytelling.
Selected films will be featured in a vibrant program including:
⦿ Screenings
⦿ Filmmaker Q&As
⦿ Panel discussions
⦿ Industry networking events
⦿ Community outreach
Awards & Prizes: American Motion Pictures Festival
The American Motion Pictures Festival (AMPF) honors visionary storytellers who dare to take their craft Beyond the Borders. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, our awards are more than just accolades—they are a commitment to your journey as a filmmaker.
The Monthly Awards Series
Every month, our jury evaluates global submissions to recognize excellence across all genres. Monthly recognition serves as the primary gateway to the Annual Grand Finale.
Monthly Winner: The top honor for each category.
Outstanding Achievement: Awarded to films demonstrating exceptional craft in specific fields (Cinematography, Editing, Performance).
Official Selection: Recognition for films that meet our high standards for storytelling.
What you receive: High-resolution Gold Laurels and a Digital Achievement Certificate to boost your film’s IMDb and marketing presence.
???? The Grand Finale (Annual)
The year culminates in our flagship Annual Festival in Greater Atlanta. Only the elite Monthly Winners qualify to compete for our top-tier honors:
Film of the Year: The "Best in Show" across all categories.
???? The Signature AMPF Trophy
Grand Finale winners take home a physical symbol of their achievement: The AMPF Trophy.
Industry Policy: Trophies are presented free of charge to winners in attendance at the Grand Finale. In line with standard festival practice, winners who cannot attend may have their physical trophies shipped to them for a standard production and handling fee.
???? Exposure & Networking
Hollywood of the South Access: Winners receive exclusive entry to our Industry VIP Mixer, putting you in the same room as production professionals from Atlanta’s booming film hub.
Global Visibility: Monthly winners are featured in our "Winner’s Circle" on the AMPF website and social media, ensuring your work travels far beyond its point of origin.
Non-Profit Mission: Because we are a non-profit, your success is our ROI. We reinvest in our filmmakers through targeted social media promotion and press outreach for our top winners.
1. Eligibility: Films must have been completed within the last 5 years to be eligible for submission.
2. Language & Subtitles: Films in languages other than English must include hardcoded English subtitles. Films without required subtitles will be disqualified without refund.
3. International Submissions: AMPF proudly accepts entries from filmmakers worldwide, regardless of nationality or location.
4. Screening License (PPR): By submitting your film, you grant the American Motion Pictures Festival a non-exclusive license to screen the film publicly during both the monthly selection sessions and the annual Grand Finale event. This license applies to all films chosen as an "Official Selection," "Monthly Winner," or "Annual Finalist."
5. Annual Screening Qualification: Monthly winners and finalists of each category will automatically qualify for consideration for the Annual Screening Event (Grand Finale), where they will compete for top honors, including "Film of the Year."
6. Promotional Use & Trailers: By submitting, you grant AMPF the right to use still frames, posters, trailers, and clips (up to 60 seconds) from your film for promotional purposes across web, social media, monthly promotional trailers, and print. This includes the right to feature award-winning work in festival highlight reels.
7. Intellectual Property & Liability: The submitter warrants that they hold all necessary rights for the exhibition of the film (including music rights and third-party copyrighted material). The submitter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless AMPF, its affiliates, partners, and staff from any claims, liabilities, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of the screening of the film.
8. No Guarantees or Refunds: Submission does not guarantee acceptance or screening. All submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of selection status.
9. Trophies & Attendance: While winners are encouraged to attend the Grand Finale, AMPF is not responsible for travel or lodging expenses. Digital certificates and laurels are provided to monthly winners. Physical trophies awarded at the Grand Finale are free to recipients in attendance; trophies for absent winners may be shipped at the filmmaker’s expense.
10. Category Flexibility: AMPF reserves the right to introduce new award categories (e.g., Best Thriller, Best Sci-Fi, Best LGBT+, etc.) or eliminate categories that do not receive a minimum number of qualified entries in a given cycle.
11. Organizer Discretion: AMPF reserves the right to change, cancel, or re-schedule festival dates, venues, awards, or programming at its sole discretion, without prior notice.
12. Liability Disclaimer: AMPF and its partners assume no responsibility for travel or attendance-related losses or expenses incurred due to changes in the festival's scheduling, programming, or operations.
Narrative Shorts
Short Films >5' 40'< (2022+)
Standard Fee25$ -8% 23$ PRO 23% 19.25$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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5.75$
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This category features short-form fiction films that deliver compelling stories in concise and creative ways. Whether dramatic, comedic, romantic, suspenseful, or surreal, these films showcase strong storytelling, memorable characters, and cinematic vision—often within just a few minutes. We welcome narrative shorts from all genres that demonstrate originality, emotional impact, and directorial excellence.
Narrative Features
Feature Films >40' 180'< (2022+)
Standard Fee30$ -8% 27.6$ PRO 23% 23.1$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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6.9$
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This category highlights full-length fiction films that bring stories to life through compelling characters, dynamic plots, and bold artistic vision. From intimate dramas to sweeping epics, grounded realism to genre-bending fiction, these films showcase the breadth and depth of narrative cinema today. We welcome submissions from filmmakers who push boundaries, challenge norms, and offer fresh perspectives—whether through language, structure, or theme.
Documentary Features
Short and Feature Films >40' 180'< (2022+)
Standard Fee30$ -8% 27.6$ PRO 23% 23.1$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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6.9$
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This category showcases powerful, full-length nonfiction films that explore truth, uncover stories, and provoke thought. From deeply personal journeys to bold investigations, these documentaries reflect a wide spectrum of real-world subjects—culture, history, politics, identity, the arts, and beyond. We celebrate filmmakers who use the documentary form to inform, inspire, challenge, and connect audiences through vivid storytelling, cinematic craft, and authenticity.
Documentary Shorts
Short Films >1' 40'< (2022+)
Standard Fee25$ -8% 23$ PRO 23% 19.25$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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5.75$
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This category honors short-form nonfiction films that illuminate real stories, real people, and real perspectives. Spanning personal narratives, investigative reporting, cultural profiles, and social justice themes, these films reveal truth through powerful imagery, thoughtful editing, and authentic voice—all within a short format. Whether reflective or urgent, poetic or journalistic, these documentary shorts showcase the art of capturing reality with purpose and impact.
Experimental Films
Short and Feature Films >3' 180'< (2022+)
Standard Fee20$ -8% 18.4$ PRO 23% 15.4$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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4.6$
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Experimental programming highlights avant-garde films that are driven by a re-consideration of the elements of cinema itself. These films often reject traditional narrative structure, redefine filmmaking tools, and seek to convey meaning through unconventional and often abstract applications of the film medium. Experimental films, as we see it, do not have the linear, conventional story structure found in narrative or documentary shorts. If your film does not heavily employ formal experimentation and non-narrative tools, it may not belong in this category.
Compact Film (Under 10 minutes)
Short Films >1' 10'< (2022+)
Standard Fee15$ -8% 13.8$ PRO 23% 11.55$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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3.45$
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This category celebrates the power of storytelling in its most compact form. Open to all genres—narrative, documentary, experimental, or animation—these short films demonstrate creative impact, emotional resonance, and technical excellence in under 10 minutes. Whether it's a striking visual poem or a tightly woven plot, these films prove that big stories can come in small packages.
Best Actress
Short and Feature Films (2022+)
Standard Fee20$ -8% 18.4$ PRO 23% 15.4$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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4.6$
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This award recognizes an outstanding performance by a lead female-identifying actor demonstrates exceptional emotional depth, authenticity, screen presence, and the ability to elevate the story through their craft in a short or feature-length film. Performances from all genres are considered, and nominations may include emerging talents as well as established professionals. The Best Actress winner is selected by our jury and honored as part of both monthly recognitions and the annual Grand Jury competition. ATTENTION: All submissions to this category require the name of the person you are registering to the category. You can send us the name with the cover letter.
Best Actor
Short and Feature Films (2022+)
Standard Fee20$ -8% 18.4$ PRO 23% 15.4$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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4.6$
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This award recognizes an outstanding performance by a lead male-identifying actor demonstrates exceptional emotional depth, authenticity, screen presence, and the ability to elevate the story through their craft in a short or feature-length film. Performances from all genres are considered, and nominations may include emerging talents as well as established professionals. The Best Actor winner is selected by our jury and honored as part of both monthly recognitions and the annual Grand Jury competition. ATTENTION: All submissions to this category require the name of the person you are registering to the category. You can send us the name with the cover letter.
Best Director
Short and Feature Films (2022+)
Standard Fee20$ -8% 18.4$ PRO 23% 15.4$
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Submissions deadline
31 Aug 27
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4.6$
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This esteemed award celebrates the singular architect behind a compelling cinematic work. It honors the director who exhibits profound artistic integrity, an acute understanding of narrative, and the remarkable ability to translate a vision from script to screen with exceptional precision and emotional resonance. The recipient of this award masterfully guides performances, shapes visual language, and orchestrates every element to create an unforgettable and impactful filmic experience. The Best Director winner is selected by our jury and honored as part of both monthly recognitions and the annual Grand Jury competition.
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
23$
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 