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Athens Film Festival (3)

Deadlines

08 Oct 2025
Call for entries

27 Feb 2026
Early deadline

08 May 2026
Standard deadline

17 Jun 2026
Late deadline

10 Jul 2026
Extended deadline

7
mths

15 Jul 2026
Notification date

27 Aug 2026
30 Aug 2026

Address

234 W Hancock Ave, 30601, Athens, Georgia, United States

Festival description

Short film festival >2' 25'<

Feature film festival >40'

Festival requirements

Film festival

Fiction

Documentary

Animation

Fantastic

Terror

Experimental

Music Video

Other

Any Genre

Any Theme

Has submission fees

International Festival

Physical Location

January 2024

Production countries: Any

Shooting countries: Any

Director nationalities: Any

Debut Films

School projects

Short Films >2' 25'<

Feature Films >40'

AI Tools

Any language

Share on Social Networks

Facebook
Tweet

English

Festival description (Edition: 3)

Festival start: 27 August 2026 Festival end: 30 August 2026

The Athens Film Festival is proud to call Athens, Georgia, home—a city celebrated as one of the most renowned festival towns in the world. Known for its deep appreciation of art and creativity, Athens provides an unmatched platform for filmmakers to connect with an audience that values storytelling and cinematic craft.

As part of a vibrant lineup of world-class festivals in the community, our film festival highlights Athens’ unique ability to embrace and elevate artists from around the globe. This isn’t just a festival—it’s a celebration of the creativity that defines our city and its people.

Join us in Athens, where your film becomes part of a thriving legacy of art and culture.

Prizes and qualifications

Awards* categories (guaranteed but not limited to):
- Best Narrative Feature
- Best Narrative Short
- Best Documentary Film
- Best International Film
- Best Animation/Experimental Film
- Best Student Film
- Best Music Video
- Best Georgia Film
*Each award includes a physical trophy made by a local artist!

Rules

1) REQUIREMENTS

• Films completed past January 2024 will be considered.

• 'Works in progress' will also be considered.

• If selected, all submissions must grant permission for the following:

- At least one screening between the dates of August 14th-17th.

- Permission to mention and promote your film through any and all marketing efforts for the Athens Film Festival.

- Permission to screen your film online for virtual audiences, during and up until two weeks after the end of the festival (August 17th)

- Athens Film Festival has the right to use film clips, trailer, stills, pics and posters for promotional purposes in various platforms, including social media, websites, etc.

• We consider films regardless of their premiere status. If your film has appeared or been selected at another festival, it is still eligible for consideration.

• All submissions must be received by the final deadline - July 1st 2025.

• Non-English films must be subtitled.

• Closed Captioning is encouraged!

• Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4) in order to be screened. Film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.

2) DATES

• The 2nd annual Athens Film Festival will take place from August 14th-17th.

3) AWARDS AND PRIZES

Jury Prizes:

- Best Narrative Feature
- Best Narrative Short
- Best Documentary Film
- Best International Film
- Best Animation/Experimental Film
- Best Student Film
- Best Music Video
- Best Georgia Film

4) CONTENT DISCLAIMER
• The Athens Film Festival will accept and consider any and all films submissions regardless of content or subject matter, with the exception of egregious violence or illegal content.

5) AGREEMENT
By submitting to the Athens Film Festival, you confirm that you hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to Athens Film Festival and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is neither subject to nor is threatened by any litigation. You hold Athens Film Festival harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. You assume all legal responsibilities therein.

Georgia Film

Short Films

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Can be any genre and any length. All projects should have their origin in the state of Georgia, USA. Submit here to be considered for the Best Georgia Film Award.

Music Video

Short and Feature Films

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Can be any length or genre. Domestic and International films accepted.

Student Film

Short and Feature Films

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Can be any genre and length. Domestic and International films accepted.

International Film

Short and Feature Films

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Can be any genre and any length. All projects should have their origin outside the United States. All projects MUST include English subtitles

Animated/Experimental

Short and Feature Films

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Can be any length or genre. Domestic and International films accepted.

Documentary Film

Short and Feature Films

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Documentary film of any length. Domestic and International films accepted.

Narrative Short

Short Films >2' 25'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

Narrative Fiction film of any length and genre. Domestic and International films accepted.

Narrative Feature

Short and Feature Films >40'

Fee

-8%

PRO 33%

Early 20$ 18.4$ 13.4$ 27 Feb 26

Standard 25$ 23$ 16.75$ 08 May 26

Late 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 17 Jun 26

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 20.1$ 10 Jul 26

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
10 Jul 26

Save up
6.6$

Submit

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