Georgia Film Festivals

Georgia has one of the most active independent film communities in the country. The Atlanta Film Series hosts a group of festivals that focus on documentary films, short films, underground cinema, experimental work and the top short films of the year. Each festival brings filmmakers and audiences together in Atlanta, Georgia for real independent storytelling.

Below is an overview of the festivals held each year.

March
ATL DOC is Georgia’s original documentary film festival and the only event in the state devoted solely to nonfiction work. The festival screens documentary features and shorts from around the world and highlights new work from Georgia filmmakers. Screenings and events take place in Atlanta over three days.

Visit Atlanta Documentary Film Festival

May
ATL Shorts is Georgia’s longest running short film festival. The event screens comedy, drama, horror, documentary, animation and more. It offers two full days of short films for audiences who want variety and strong storytelling.
Visit Atlanta Shortsfest - the original Atlanta short film festival

July
ATL EXP is Georgia’s event for experimental film, AI filmmaking, digital art and new media. The festival includes screenings, panels and an exhibit focused on new creative work in Atlanta.
Visit Atlanta Experimental Film Festival

July
ATL MicroShorts is the only film festival in Georgia dedicated to films under six minutes. It has a fast pace and encourages bold, creative short form storytelling.
Visit Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival

August
AUFF is one of the oldest underground film festivals in the country. It focuses on underground, independent and experimental film and gives filmmakers room to share ideas that fall outside the mainstream.
Visit Atlanta Underground Film Festival

October
ATL Horror is Georgia’s first horror festival and has been part of the genre community for twenty years. The event features horror shorts and features, thrillers, sci fi and dark genre films from around the world. Filmmakers and fans gather in Atlanta each October for three days of nonstop horror.
Visit Atlanta Horror Film Festival

December
ATL Spotlight closes the year with a showcase of the top short films of the year. Filmmakers compete for awards across fifteen categories in one night.
Visit Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival

These festivals support independent filmmakers and artists in Georgia. Each event offers screenings, filmmaker connections and a community built around original work. If you are looking for Georgia film festivals focused on independent films, this is where to begin.