Atlanta Film Series Film Festivals in Atlanta
Celebrating Independent Cinema in Atlanta, Georgia
The Atlanta Film Series isn’t just a collection of festivals. It’s a movement. A year-round celebration of creative voices, unfiltered storytelling, and true indie spirit. Each event is built by filmmakers, for filmmakers. Whether you're creating or just watching, there’s nothing quite like it.
A Year-Round Celebration of Film
Atlanta Documentary Film Festival (ATL DOC): Held in March, Docufest showcases the best short and feature-length documentaries from around the world, highlighting compelling stories and powerful narratives.
Atlanta Shortsfest: The longest running Atlanta short film festival is the top Georgia short film festival spotlighting innovative storytelling in films under 45 minutes.
Atlanta Underground Film Festival (AUFF): Hosted in August, AUFF provides a platform for cutting-edge short and feature films from some of the most talented independent filmmakers worldwide.
Atlanta Horror Film Festival (HorrorFest or ATL Horror): Every October, HorrorFest delivers thrills and scares with the best independent horror films, drawing genre fans from across the region.
Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival (MicroShorts): Held in May, MicroShorts is dedicated to films under five minutes, showcasing the craft of ultra-short storytelling from filmmakers across the globe.
Atlanta Experimental Film Festival (ATL EXP) We explore the weird and wild world of experimental narratives, animations, mixed media and AI in May.
Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival: Closing the year in December, the Spotlight Film Festival honors the best short films of the season with a live showcase, celebrating outstanding achievements in independent filmmaking.
A Legacy of Supporting Independent Film
The Atlanta Film Series traces its roots back to 2002, when a group of independent filmmakers, musicians, and artists launched WellFair, a monthly event at Atlanta Georgia's iconic MJQ Concourse. WellFair combined independent film screenings, live music, and art to spotlight emerging talent in the city.
Building on the success of WellFair, the group introduced the Atlanta Underground Film Festival (AUFF) in 2004, creating a large-scale annual event dedicated to providing independent filmmakers with a welcoming space to share their work.
Recognizing a growing demand for genre-specific festivals, the organization expanded its portfolio:
- 2006: Atlanta Documentary Film Festival (ATL DOC - formerly Docufest) was launched to focus on documentaries, making it a cornerstone for documentary filmmakers in the region. The same year, Atlanta Horror Film Festival was established to celebrate the best in independent horror.
- 2010: Atlanta Shortsfest became Atlanta's first film festival dedicated exclusively to short films, quickly becoming a favorite for filmmakers and audiences.
- 2023: Addressing the rise of ultra-short-form content, the Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival debuted, offering a dedicated platform for films under five minutes.
- 2025: Things get weird as we introduce Atlanta Experimental Festival
A Thriving Atlanta Film Community
Over the past 20 years, the Atlanta Film Series has played a significant role in transforming Atlanta into a hub for independent cinema. Its festivals provide opportunities for filmmakers to connect with audiences, celebrate their craft, and gain recognition on a global stage.
Looking for something different?
Our festivals deliver must-see cinema: underground gems, daring shorts, powerful documentaries, and genre-defying horror - curated for the big screen and brought to life in front of a live audience in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta Film Festivals
