We heard you were a movie lover. That’s good news. The 2025 Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) has begun throughout the city. The multi-weekend event is one of the best festivals in Atlanta.
2025 Atlanta Film Festival: Everything You Need To Know
The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF), now in its 49th year, is one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in the United States, taking place from April 24 to May 4, 2025.
Organized by the Atlanta Film Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it’s a premier celebration of cinema in the Southeast, showcasing a diverse range of independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films.
The festival is Academy Award-qualifying in three short film categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short, making it a significant platform for filmmakers aiming for Oscar consideration.
Atlanta Film Festival Screenings This Year
ey Movie Screenings at the 2025 Atlanta Film Festival
- Opening Night: Color Book (Thursday, April 24, Plaza Theatre)
- Details: Directed by Atlanta native David Fortune, this heartfelt drama follows a Black father (Will Catlett) and his son with Down syndrome (Jeremiah Alexander Daniels, NAACP Image Award nominee) on a journey to an Atlanta Braves game. Shot entirely with a local Atlanta crew, it’s a love letter to the city, capturing underrepresented parts like MARTA stations.
- Significance: Kicks off the festival with a Georgia-connected film, highlighting local talent and authentic storytelling. Fortune, named one of Variety’s 2025 Directors to Watch, will attend with cast members.
- Why Attend: A powerful, emotional narrative with strong Atlanta roots, perfect for those seeking local and diverse stories.
- The Games in Black & White (Saturday, April 26, Rialto Center for the Arts)
- Details: A documentary by George Hirthler and Bob Judson, exploring how Atlanta secured the 1996 Summer Olympics, featuring University of Georgia football legend Billy Payne and civil rights icon Andrew Young, both expected to attend. Includes appearances by figures like former Mayor Shirley Franklin and Martin Luther King III.
- Significance: A special presentation celebrating Atlanta’s historical impact, with a focus on local figures and the city’s Olympic legacy.
- Why Attend: Ideal for history buffs and those interested in Atlanta’s global influence, with a chance to see prominent local figures.
- Closing Night: Friendship (Saturday, May 3, Plaza Theatre, 7:00 p.m.)
- Details: An A24 comedy written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, about a suburban dad’s obsession with his charismatic new neighbor.
- Significance: A high-profile closing night film with Hollywood star power, blending humor with indie sensibilities.
- Why Attend: Perfect for fans of comedy and mainstream indie films, offering a fun, star-studded finale.
- The Surfer (Date TBD, Plaza Theatre or Tara Theatre)
- Details: A marquee screening starring Nicolas Cage, this film promises a bold narrative, though specific plot details are not fully outlined in available sources.
- Significance: Features a major Hollywood name, appealing to audiences who enjoy high-energy performances and indie flair.
- Why Attend: Cage’s involvement ensures a memorable cinematic experience for fans of intense, character-driven stories.
- Ricky (Date TBD, Plaza Theatre or Tara Theatre)
- Details: Directed by Rashad Frett, this marquee screening highlights another standout from the festival’s diverse lineup, though specific details are limited.
- Significance: Part of ATLFF’s commitment to showcasing emerging filmmakers and diverse voices.
- Why Attend: A chance to discover fresh talent and support independent cinema.
- Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted (Date TBD, Plaza Theatre or Tara Theatre)
- Details: A documentary marquee screening, focusing on the eclectic musician Swamp Dogg, offering a unique look at his life and work.
- Significance: Appeals to music and documentary fans, showcasing ATLFF’s diverse programming.
- Why Attend: A quirky, engaging doc for those interested in music history and offbeat stories.
- Red Clay (Wednesday, April 30, Tara Theatre)
- Details: A 22-minute short film co-written and co-produced by Atlanta’s Omar Epps and rapper 2 Chainz, focusing on a character, Nook, navigating a future beyond his mother’s addiction. Both Epps and 2 Chainz are expected to attend.
- Significance: A Georgia-connected short with local celebrity involvement, emphasizing social issues and personal struggles.
- Why Attend: Offers a chance to see Atlanta-based stars and engage with a socially relevant narrative.
- Withdrawal (Wednesday, April 30, Plaza Theatre)
- Details: A world premiere directed by Atlanta’s Aaron Strand, this film tells the story of a co-dependent couple’s heroin addiction in reverse, reflecting the director’s personal experience with substance abuse.
- Significance: A bold, local world premiere addressing heavy themes with a unique narrative structure.
- Why Attend: Ideal for those who appreciate raw, personal storytelling and innovative filmmaking.
- Come See Me in the Good Light (Sunday, April 27, 5:30 p.m., Tara Theatre)
- Details: Directed by Ryan White, produced by Jessica Hargrave (both Atlanta natives), this film is a homecoming for the filmmakers, who have been friends since childhood. Specific plot details are not fully provided, but it’s noted for its local ties.
- Significance: A Georgia-connected feature, offering a personal narrative and a chance to celebrate Atlanta’s creative community.
- Why Attend: A great pick for supporting local filmmakers and enjoying a story with deep Atlanta roots.
- Sustainable Fashion Short Films (Date TBD, Plaza Theatre)
- Details: A collaboration with Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week, featuring short films about sustainable fashion, followed by a fashion show and after-party.
- Significance: Combines film with fashion and sustainability, offering a unique, interdisciplinary experience.
- Why Attend: Perfect for those interested in fashion, sustainability, and innovative short films, with a fun social component.
Key Details:
- Dates and Venues: The 2025 festival runs for 11 days, primarily at the Plaza Theatre and Tara Atlanta, with additional screenings at the Limelight Theater.
- Programming: ATLFF presents approximately 150–175 films, selected from over 8,000 submissions representing 110+ countries. About 90–95% of the program comes from submissions, with a focus on inclusivity, spotlighting filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ films, women and gender non-conforming filmmakers, and those from the American South. In 2024, 49% of selected films were directed by women or gender non-conforming filmmakers, 59% by BIPOC directors, and 24% by Georgia filmmakers. Genres include experimental films, music videos, comedies, horror, sci-fi, and more.
- Notable Features:
- Georgia Film Awards: Two juried awards (Georgia Feature and Georgia Short) celebrate local filmmakers. Georgia-based directors can submit films shot in the state at a discounted fee by emailing GA@atlantafilmfestival.com for a discount code.
- Creative Conference: Held April 29–May 2, 2025, it offers panels, workshops, and case studies for filmmakers and enthusiasts, covering topics from career development to industry networking.
- Academy Award Qualification: Winners of the Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short jury awards qualify for the respective Oscar categories. Notable past success includes Ray McKinnon’s The Accountant, which won an Oscar in 2002 after qualifying at ATLFF.
- Marquee Screenings: High-profile screenings, such as Lionsgate’s Shadow Force with Kerry Washington in attendance, blend Hollywood star power with indie cinema.
- History and Impact: Founded in 1976 as the Atlanta Independent Film & Video Festival by IMAGE Film & Video Center (now Atlanta Film Society), ATLFF has grown from a grassroots initiative to a globally recognized event. It has premiered works by filmmakers like Spike Lee, whose first film, Last Hustle in Brooklyn, screened at ATLFF, and others like Robert Rodriguez and David O. Russell. The festival has been named one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker magazine and “Best Film Festival” by Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine.
- Community and Networking: ATLFF attracts over 28,000 attendees and 300+ filmmakers, offering opportunities to engage with industry professionals from distributors like A24, Netflix, and Magnolia. Events include Q&As, awards ceremonies, and workshops, fostering connections between filmmakers and audiences.
- Submission Process: Films are submitted via FilmFreeway, with deadlines ranging from early (June) to extended (November). Feature films must not be publicly released online or on VOD before the festival, while short films available online are considered case-by-case. Georgia premieres are preferred.
- Ticketing and Membership: General tickets are available online via Eventive, and Atlanta Film Society memberships offer festival access, exclusive screenings, and discounts. For ticketing inquiries, contact boxoffice@atlantafilmfestival.com or call (470) 296-0170
How To Get A Badge To ATLFF
ATLFF passes & Individual Tickets to each event are available for purchase at atlantafilmfestival.com.
Explore Your Atlanta
There are some good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. Downtown Atlanta or Midtown often has something cool going on!
The fun is just starting. Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit a craft brewery in the city.
Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend!
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