The ATLFF Experimental Short category is for films shorter than 40 minutes. Our Experimental programming highlights abstract works, music videos and avant-garde narrative and documentary shorts.

Now approaching its 44th year, the Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is the Southeast’s preeminent celebration of cinema and the flagship production of the Atlanta Film Society. 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.

For more information, visit filmfreeway.com/ATLFF

About ATLFF

Every spring, our 11-day festival—recognized as the Best Film Festival by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, 10 Best, and Atlanta Magazine, as well as the Best Spring Festival by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution—presents local and international works selected from over 8,400 submissions representing 50+ countries. ATLFF has been named a “Top 50 Festival Worth the Entry Fee” and one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker magazine. Historically, ATLFF’s program is comprised of approximately 85% - 95% submissions.

ATLFF actively strives to be an inclusive showcase with spotlights on filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ films (Pink Peach), women filmmakers (New Mavericks), family-friendly programming, Food on Film and/or experimental subjects and themes. In 2019, 50% of the program was directed by women and 43% by filmmakers of color. The Atlanta Film Festival prioritizes inclusivity in on-screen representation as well, with 75% of the 2019 program featuring a woman or person of color in a leading role.