Film Festivals Around Atlanta
Last Updated May 28, 2026
Add Discover ATL as a preferred source on Google
Atlanta is a hot spot for film festivals, screening documentaries, shorts and feature-length films, along with workshops and talks from filmmakers.
African Film Festival Atlanta
African Film Festival Atlanta is an annual event hosted by the African Film & Arts Foundation. The festival celebrates films by or about Africans and people of African descent and usually is held at Plaza Theatre.
When: Spring 2027
Altera Film Festival
Dedicated to stories and media created by A.I., Altera Film Festival takes place at Georgia Tech.
When: June 16–17, 2026
Atlanta Children’s Film Festival
The Atlanta Children’s Film Festival promotes positive, educational and entertaining children’s and family-oriented films at multiple venues around the city and online.
When: Oct. 9–18, 2026
Atlanta Comedy Film Festival
The Atlanta Comedy Film Festival is a showcase for comedic works at 7 Stages Theatre.
When: February 2027
Atlanta Documentary Film Festival (Atlanta DocuFest)
Atlanta DocuFest is the Southeast’s longest-running documentary film festival. In its 22nd year, DocuFest will be held at Limelight Theater.
When: March 18–21, 2027
Atlanta Experimental Film Festival
Atlanta Experimental Film Festival occurs at 7 Stages Theatre.
When: July 10, 2026
Atlanta Film Festival
Returning for its 50th year, the Atlanta Film Festival is one of Atlanta’s largest film festivals with screenings at locations including Plaza Theatre and Tara Theatre. In addition to screenings, there are filmmaker discussions.
When: April 23–May 3, 2026
Atlanta French Film Festival
The Atlanta French Film Festival screens short films by French filmmakers. Tara Theater usually hosts this festival along with youth film workshops, professional meetings and podcasts.
When: Spring 2027
Atlanta Global Film Festival
This festival, held at LOOK Dine-in Cinemas in Brookhaven, highlights local, national and international storytellers across different cultures through features, shorts and screenplays.
When: Sept. 19, 2026
Atlanta Horror Film Festival
Returning for its 20th year, the Atlanta Horror Film Festival showcases horror films spanning different themes, topics and stories at 7 Stages Theatre.
When: Oct. 1-4, 2026
Atlanta Indian Film Festival
The Atlanta Indian Film Festival is dedicated to Indian film, filmmakers and culture. Join the fun at Tara Theatre.
When: Oct. 2–4, 2026
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival returns with special guests and other activities at venues including the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Plaza Theatre, Tara Theatre and Springs Cinema and Taphouse.
When: Winter 2027
Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival
The Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival highlights films that are 6 minutes or shorter. The festival screens more than 100 short films in one day at Limelight Theater.
When: July 11, 2026
Atlanta Sci-Fi Movie Fest
Join Atlanta’s film festival dedicated to everything sci-fi, featuring screenings of independent science fiction films, panels and more at Vision Studios.
When: May 7-8, 2027
Atlanta Shortsfest
One of Atlanta’s largest short film festivals features more than 100 short films at 7 Stages Theatre.
When: May 14-16, 2026
Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival
Attend this end-of-the-year showdown where indie films compete against each other to see who’s the best.
When: Dec. 5, 2026
Atlanta Underground Film Festival
Hosted at 7 Stages Theatre, the Atlanta Underground Film Festival highlights underground films, indie shorts, features, documentaries, animation and experimental work from around the world.
When: Aug. 6-9, 2026
Atlanta Women’s Film Festival
This festival is dedicated to showcasing feature length and short films, along with screenplays made by women and is held at 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points.
When: Sept. 23-27, 2026
BronzeLens Film Festival
The BronzeLens Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing films created and produced by people of color. Multiple venues will screen independent films, host industry panels and much more.
When: Aug. 21-24 and 27-30, 2026
Buried Alive Horror Film Festival
The Buried Alive Horror Film Festival is back at Plaza Theatre, featuring spooky films in the thriller, horror and sci-fi genres and short films created for the “Sinema” contest by people who aren’t professional filmmakers.
When: Nov. 5-8, 2026
Cobb International Film Festival
Take a seat at this festival for filmmakers and see works from around the world at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta.
When: Aug. 6-9, 2026
Georgia Comedy Film Festival
Hosted at Plaza Theatre, the Georgia Comedy Film Festival screens comedic films.
When: Nov. 9, 2026
Georgia Latino Film Festival
The Georgia Latino Film Festival occurs at multiple venues around the city and brings attention to Latino-created films and films highlighting Latin culture. Filmmakers, artists, actors and writers gather to celebrate 15 years with premieres, workshops and panels.
When: Oct. 1-4, 2026
Georgia Shorts Film Festival
The Georgia Shorts Film Festival features screenings of short films and screenplays at 7 Stages Theatre.
When: June 19-21, 2026
Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival
This festival, held at Morehouse College, connects filmmakers, humanitarians and social justice organizations from all over the world.
When: Sept. 22-26, 2026
Out on Film
The 39th annual Out on Film Festival highlights films by, for and about the LGBTQ community and its allies and is held at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.
When: Sept. 24-Oct. 4, 2026
Peachtree Village International Film Festival
The festival involves four days of film screenings, panels, master classes and community events celebrating culture and creativity, centered at Hyatt Villa Christina.
When: Nov. 5-8, 2026
Renegade Film Festival
The Renegade Film Festival sheds light on diverse filmmakers and films spanning many genres. Headquarters is the Earl & Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta.
When: June 4, 2026
SCAD TVfest
Located at the Atlanta location of Savannah College of Art & Design, SCAD TVfest spotlights the latest in design, creativity and innovation on television, streaming and digital media.
When: February 2027
Urban Mediamakers Film Festival
Celebrating 25 years, the festival is dedicated to highlighting media, ranging from films, blogs and even virtual reality. It occurs online and at in-person venues.
When: Oct. 12-24, 2026
Women’s Comedy Film Festival Atlanta
The Women’s Comedy Film Festival features movies and screenplays by women and is held at 7 Stages Theatre.
When: Spring 2027
For more things to do in Atlanta, check our calendar of events.
Grant Merkel is a high school student who also writes for Discover Atlanta Now magazine. He currently studies filmmaking and audio-video production and has contributed content for both films and video games. He manages sound and video at his church in Midtown and at other in-town venues. Grant enjoys visiting local movie theaters for all-night marathons, discovering the city’s best BBQ and chicken wings, and attending shows at Atlanta’s many live music spots.
Originally Published May 24, 2026
Discover More
Get to know Atlanta, and discover the best things to do around the city.
