FILM SUBMISSIONS FAQs
If you have any questions that are not answered here or in our submission Rules & Terms on FilmFreeway, please email us at submit@atlantafilmfestival.com. We are unable to address inquiries via phone.
ELIGIBILITY & HOW TO SUBMIT
What do I need to submit my film?
Each submission must be accompanied by a submission fee paid in full and a playable screener to be considered.
How do I submit?
We only accept film submissions on FilmFreeway. If you are new to FilmFreeway, your first step will be to create an account and then to create a “project” for your submission. Please refer to the following page for more information on how to create a project and submit to festivals: https://filmfreeway.com/help.
Please do not email us your films. We cannot consider any project that has not been officially submitted through FilmFreeway.
We strongly suggest that you have a permanent member of the crew submit your film (preferably the director or a producer). Please use an email address that is checked regularly in case we need to get in touch with you throughout the submission process. If there is an issue with your submission and we are unable to get in touch with anyone by our final submission deadline, we will be forced to disqualify your submission (without refund of submission fees).
Does my film need to be a World Premiere to submit?
We do not require a World Premiere in any category, but premiere status is taken into consideration when making final selections.
Feature films that have been (or will be) publicly released online, on VOD, or DVD prior to the 2024 Atlanta Film Festival are not eligible to screen. Short films that are available online are programmed on a case by case basis, but we typically prioritize films that have not yet been released to the public.
NOTE: Films that have screened online as part of a virtual festival presentation are still eligible for screening at ATLFF.
It is the submitter’s responsibility to notify ATLFF of any updates in premiere status as they occur, especially if the film is selected for another festival in the state of Georgia.
Does my film need to be a Georgia Premiere to submit?
Films should not have been publicly screened in the greater Atlanta area prior to the 2024 Atlanta Film Festival, and we strongly prefer to program works that have not yet screened in the state of Georgia. Exceptions to this rule may be made on rare occasions and are solely at the discretion of the programming team.
A Georgia Premiere is required for consideration in the feature competition categories excluding the Georgia Feature Award.
How many films can I submit?
You can submit as many projects as you would like as long as they are all eligible to screen at the 2024 Atlanta Film Festival. However, you must pay a separate submission fee for each submission.
What category should I submit my film to? What if my film fits multiple categories?
Category descriptions and any applicable category eligibility requirements are listed on our FilmFreeway page under the “Categories and Fees” section.
For submissions that may fit multiple categories, we suggest submitting to the category that best describes the primary nature and intention of the film and/or the category which feels most appropriate for the presentation of the film.
When are your deadlines?
You can find a full list of deadlines under the “Dates & Deadlines” section of our FilmFreeway.
We have five deadlines throughout our submission process: Hella Early Deadline (June 2nd, 2023), Early Deadline (June 29th, 2023), Regular Deadline (September 22nd, 2023), Late Deadline (October 20th, 2023), and Extended Deadline (November 3rd, 2023). After November 3rd, all film submissions for the 2024 ATLFF are closed.
Please keep track of deadlines closely if you plan on submitting within a certain submission window. All deadlines are set for 11:59pm EDT.
Any submissions that are incomplete by our final deadline will be disqualified without refund of submission fees.
Is there a difference if I submit early?
If you submit early you will spend less money on your submission fee. Submitting early won’t increase your chances of getting accepted (though it may increase your chances of a well-rested programmer watching your film!), but, ultimately, all submissions are evaluated equally, and every year we program films that were submitted all throughout the submission period.
What are your submission fees?
You can find a full list of submission fees under the Categories & Fees section of our FilmFreeway page.
I worked on or acted in a film, but didn’t produce or direct it; can I submit? I was the director, but not the producer, or vice versa, can I submit on my own?
If it’s not your film, it’s advisable to submit only after you’ve received permission from the filmmakers. If you are not the director, we kindly request that you also provide us with the director’s contact information.
For directors and producers, we strongly advise that everyone is in agreement about the festivals they are submitting to, which festivals they want to play first or want to premiere at, and which version of the film is being submitted.
When disputes arise (i.e. a film has been submitted without everyone’s explicit approval or the festival strategy has changed), we suggest that productions find a solution and come to an agreement with all the key decision makers before contacting us or any festivals the film has been submitted to.
What screener formats do you accept? Do you accept online screeners? Can I send an outside link?
All FilmFreeway submissions must include a streamable online screener of the full film. We do NOT accept DVDs, Blu-Rays, or files that must be downloaded, or trailers.
Online screeners may be uploaded directly to FilmFreeway or attached as a password-protected Vimeo link.
The submitter is responsible for ensuring that their screener link and password is active through at least March 1st, 2024. In the event of a password or screener URL change after submitting, email us immediately. If we discover an error with the screener, we will attempt to email the submission contact for an update. Failure to respond by the final submission deadline will result in disqualification without refund of submission fees.
How do I submit Virtual Reality films and how are they reviewed?
For 360° video — please provide either or both:
A) Private 360-enabled screener (Vimeo, YouTube or Oculus Media Studio.)
B) Downloadable video link.
NOTE: 360° video is reviewed via headset whenever possible.
For tethered/VIVE/Rift/Quest and other roomscale/interactive projects:We REQUIRE a full video recording of the experience. While you may include app links and builds alongside that, the video screener is the primary format for consideration. Lastly, please detail any needs for the exhibition (such as schematics, compatible HMD/tech, etc.).
Do you accept rough cuts/works-in-progress?
Yes. Just be sure to mark the submission as a rough cut/work-in-progress/WIP both in your cover letter and in the screener file itself (preferably as a still image of text at the start of the screener). Please note which elements are incomplete (ex: color correction, score, missing shots, etc.)
We see incomplete versions of films all of the time, and our programming staff is very adept at using our imagination. Just keep in mind that if you are accepted, you’ll need to be prepared to deliver the final cut to us by February 2024.
I submitted last year and wasn’t accepted. Can I resubmit?
Yes, as long as your submission is still within our eligibility window (completed after October 1, 2021). However, we recommend doing so only if the current version being submitted is a radically different cut or if the previous submission was a work in progress with lots to be done. BUT, full disclosure, it’s been rare that a resubmitted film has been accepted the next year. If you do resubmit, please note that the film is a resubmission and what changes were made between the different cuts.
DISCOUNTS & WAIVERS
Can I have a waiver?
Typically, the only exceptions for waivers we make are for alumni of the Atlanta Film Festival and filmmakers from countries in which international sanctions prevent them from paying a fee. If either of these terms apply to you, please email us at submit@atlantafilmfestival.com.
Any other waivers are granted solely at the discretion of the programmers, are often by invitation only and are typically granted for works that fit specific genre or community-based program needs.
A submission fee guarantees your work is properly viewed and considered, and neither submission fees nor waivers guarantee acceptance. Submission fees support competition cash prizes, festival travel for hundreds of attending filmmakers, and the small team of staff and volunteers that will process over 3,000 hours of content this season alone.
We encourage you to take a look at our past programming (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018) to see if you might be a good fit for our festival, and to think carefully about the festivals that you want to submit your work to. We hope that we are one of them!
Do you offer student discounts?
Yes, there is a discount for student work ($5 off of the submission fee). This discount can be activated on FilmFreeway by selecting the "Student" option during checkout. To qualify, you must either be a current student or you must have completed the film during the time you were a student.
Do you offer discounts for Georgia filmmakers?
We offer a discounted submission fee for any project that was at least partially filmed in Georgia AND comes from a director who resides in the state of Georgia. Films meeting these qualifications may be submitted for a discount on the current submission fee. Films that are not live-action are also eligible for the discount if the director resides in the state and partially produced the film in Georgia.
If your film meets the above criteria, email GA@atlantafilmfestival.com for your discount code. Please allow up to 7 business days for a response.
AFTER SUBMITTING
How do I know you received my submission?
In your FilmFreeway account, under the “Submissions” tab, you can locate your submission to our festival. As long as the Submission Status is listed as “In Consideration”, your film has satisfied all of our requirements and is ready to be reviewed by our screeners and programmers.
Why is my Submission Status listed as “Incomplete?”
Films that are listed “Incomplete” at the time you submit are most likely missing a screener. Please check your submission again to ensure that your screener was uploaded properly.
Reasons a submission will be considered incomplete include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Screener is missing
- Screener has been deleted or password has been changed
- Screener is missing subtitles (if in a foreign language), audio, image, or any feature that prevents us from properly judging it
If we discover an issue with your submission during the submissions process we will reach out to the submitter to correct the problem. At this point, we will also update the status of the film to “Incomplete”. If at any point your film is listed as “Incomplete” and you did not receive an email disclosing the reason, please reach out to us at submit@atlantafilmfestival.com.
I want to withdraw my film, can I get a refund?
Once a project is listed “In Consideration” on FilmFreeway, we are unable to offer refunds for any reason, including (but not limited to):
- Submission to the wrong category
- Change in premiere status or distribution
- Duplicate submissions
- Failure to pay the full submission fee by the final deadline
- Failure to provide a working screener by the final deadline
- Project’s failure to comply with submission Rules & Terms
- Improper use of a discount code or waiver
- Rejection from the festival
- Withdrawing your submission for any reason (including changes of heart)
Can we send updated versions of the film?
Yes, but only until the final deadline, November 3rd, 2023. No updated cuts will be accepted after the final deadline.Please adhere to the following :
You must replace the embedded screener in your FilmFreeway project. We are unable to accept any updated screeners via email, as we cannot update your submission from our end. For more info on replacing your screener, see here.
ATLFF is only responsible for considering the project as it exists at the time of review. We are under no obligation to revisit updated cuts once a screener has been seen, so be sure that the submitted cut is a fair representation of the final piece.
When will filmmakers be notified of the final decisions for the 2024 Atlanta Film Festival?
Final notifications are scheduled to take place no later than the end of day on February 16th, 2024. Some filmmakers may receive a notification sooner than this but if you haven't heard from us yet, you're still in the running.
How will we be notified*?
Accepted films will receive an invitation letter by email. Films that are not accepted to screen will also be notified by email by the notification deadline.
Please make sure the email address associated with your submission remains active throughout the submission process and add each of the following accounts to your address book to prevent our communication from going to spam: submit@atlantafilmfestival.com, noreply@filmfreeway.com
Your status of Accepted/Not Accepted will also be reflected in FilmFreeway under “Submissions” by the end of day on February 16th, 2024.
Note: Email filters have a hard time with addresses that start with info@, mail@, admin@, etc. If you’re using one of these email addresses, it’s more likely your notification email may not arrive. We also suggest using an email address that someone checks daily.
*Notification dates are subject to change. We strive to notify all submitters via email when a change will be made.
If my film is programmed, am I guaranteed a theater screening?
All accepted films will screen at least once during the festival, with the possibility of an encore screening for select films/shorts blocks when appropriate. All scheduling, screening venues, digital platforms, and time slots are at the discretion of the ATLFF staff and are subject to change. Invitations may be extended to films for virtual only presentation, in-person only presentation, or both.
ATLFF’S PROGRAMMING
What genres do you accept?
EVERYTHING! Yes, that includes experimental, puppetry, horror, and sci-fi.
Okay, but what kind of films do you play?
EVERYTHING! Really, take a look at some of our past programs for an idea of the scope of our programming: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018
Will you take a look at my film and tell me if I should submit to you?
We cannot review any films that have not been officially submitted to us.
Perusing our past program guides (listed above) is the best way to get a sense of our programming ethos. But keep in mind, our program is going to look different every year. The number one thing we’re looking for is originality. We watch thousands of films every year, and we’re always on the search for films that present something new and really stand out from the crowd. If this sounds like your film, send it our way!
How long can films be?
We have no cut off for runtime, but shorter is always better (as shorter films allow for more flexibility when building our schedule).
In accordance with Academy rules, short films must have a run time of 40 minutes or less. If the film is longer than 40 minutes, it is classified as a feature film.
If I submit to one category, will I be considered for others I may be eligible for?
No. You are only considered for the category you submit your film to. Please do not submit your film to a category with a lower submission fee even though it belongs somewhere else. Films submitted to an inappropriate category will be disqualified without a refund. Read the category descriptions carefully, and email us if you have any questions.
Do you have any ratings limitations? Must films be PG or PG-13? Do you program films with strong content and language?
We have no ratings limitations on films submitted. We program films with a variety of content, from kid friendly to work that would only be appropriate for mature audiences. Our mission is to program great films and a strong lineup first and foremost.
Do you have a preference for local films or films with local connections?
Every year we strive to be a strong advocate of local talent and filmmakers. We are proud to highlight homegrown talent, films with local ties, and work made by former Atlantans and Georgians. However, being from Atlanta or Georgia does not guarantee acceptance and all Georgia films have to stand alongside the other films in ATLFF’s program.
We offer a discounted submission fee for any project that was at least partially filmed in Georgia AND comes from a director who resides in the state of Georgia. Films meeting these qualifications may be submitted for a discount on the current submission fee. Films that are not live-action are also eligible for the discount if the director resides in the state and partially produced the film in Georgia.
If your film meets the above criteria, email GA@atlantafilmfestival.com for your discount code. Please allow up to 7 business days for a response.
Do you have competition sections?
Yes. Jury Prizes are awarded in the following categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, Animated Short, and Documentary Short, Georgia Feature, and Georgia Short. Films are not programmed in or out of competition, as competition status is determined once the full program has been confirmed.
How many films are put in competition?
The number of competition films varies from year to year. There are normally 6 to 8 feature films in each feature competition section (Narrative and Documentary) and 10 to 15 films in each short film competition section (Narrative, Documentary, and Animation).
Films placed in competition are chosen solely at the discretion of the ATLFF programming team. Acceptance to the festival does not guarantee placement in competition.
Do you screen films out of competition?
Yes. Most of our films will screen out of competition. In addition, films that screen out of competition may still be eligible for non-juried awards. Each year we have an Audience Award for both features and short films (voted on by the audience after each screening).
How do you program short films?
Shorts are programmed in blocks crafted around thematic ties. Excluding a few shorts programs every year (ex: comedy shorts), we do not choose block themes ahead of time. We look to see what blocks can be built from themes present in the submissions we wish to program.
Do you program international films?
Yes, we love international films! Each year, we screen films representing over 40 countries, selected from submissions received from over 110. We’d program more if we had the space.
Do you prefer films with celebrities?
We prefer great and interesting stories. If a star happens to show up in a really great film, great! But it’s not a requirement.
Have you programmed films that are available online?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. We generally prioritize films that have not yet been released to the public. However, any feature films that are publicly available online are not eligible to screen at the Atlanta Film Festival.
NOTE: This clause only applies to films that are PUBLICLY available to screen. Films that have screened online as part of a virtual festival presentation are still eligible for screening at ATLFF.
SCREENING/JUDGING PROCESS
Who are your screeners?
Our screening committee is comprised of about 50 to 100 volunteer screeners. Some are academics, some are filmmakers, some have been attending ATLFF for years, some screen for other festivals, and others are past ATLFF alums.
Can someone who submitted a film or worked on a submitted film also be a screener?
Yes, but screeners who were involved in the production of a submitted film will be restricted from judging films in the same category they submitted in. Failure to disclose involvement in a submitted film may result in immediate dismissal from the screening committee (and forfeit of any earned points/rewards).
How are films scored?
Each film is watched by members of our screening committee and evaluated across several different criteria, with the exception of films that are watched first by a programmer. Screeners are asked a series of questions about each film, working to determine whether or not the film is a good fit for the festival. Every film is ultimately judged and decided by a programmer.
Are films selected solely on screener feedback?
No. It’s a film’s content, quality and originality that matter, not its score. While screener feedback is important and helpful to the assessment process, it is not an ultimate qualifier.
Are films only selected from the group that received high marks from screeners?
No. Programmers will go through notes from each film, regardless of how high or low it scored. Films that did not make the final round but thematically complete a program or pair well with a feature may be re-evaluated and selected. Film selection is about making curatorial choices that make the strongest group of films, and we strive to revisit as many films as possible to make sure we create the strongest lineup.
Can I find out how my film is doing once I’ve submitted?
You will always be notified of any changes to your submission status. Please do not call or email us asking for updates on your film.As long as your FilmFreeway Submission Status is listed as “In Consideration”, it is still a contender. The submission review process is long and complex, and typically doesn’t firm up until very close to our notification date. You’ll know when we do.
Who makes final selections?
Final selections are made by the Programming Department.
AWARDS & COMPETITION
I saw that you’re an Academy-Award qualifying festival. What does that mean?
We are Academy-Award qualifying in our Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short categories. That means that each year the film that wins our Best Narrative Short jury award qualifies for the Best Live-Action Short category, the film that wins our Best Documentary Short jury award qualifies for the Best Documentary (Short Subject) category, and the film that wins our Best Animated Short jury award qualifies for the Best Animated Short Film category at the following year’s Academy Awards.
Please refer to the Academy Award’s RULES & ELIGIBILITY Website for more information.
How do I know if my film is in competition?
The Programming team will select and notify all competition titles after the full program has been confirmed. An invitation to the festival does not guarantee that a film will play in competition.
What are the Georgia Film Awards?
Our Georgia Film Award has grown into two juried awards – Georgia Feature Award and Georgia Short Award. Films made by Georgia-based directors and submitted to either the Documentary or Narrative feature categories, or the Narrative, Documentary, or Animation shorts categories, will be eligible for consideration for the applicable Georgia Award (Feature or Short) upon inclusion in the festival. Georgia film submissions are also considered for non-Georgia competition categories as applicable.
ACCESSIBILITY
What are ATLFF’s captioning requirements?
All accepted films must provide captions in order to screen. Captions are text assets that include all dialogue, speaker identifications, and described audio elements such as sound effects and music. Captions are NOT synonymous with subtitles. Filmmakers can access a complete captioning guide here: https://www.3playmedia.com/learn/popular-topics/closed-captioning/
Films without captions are eligible to submit, but will be required to create a caption file upon acceptance in order to screen. Limited captioning assistance may be provided by the festival, but is not guaranteed.