AFI FEST 2019 presented by Audi will be held in Los Angeles, California at the historic TCL Chinese Theater and 6-plex theaters at the Hollywood & Highland Center, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. AFI FEST is the longest-running international film festival in Los Angeles.

Each fall, AFI FEST presents the year's most significant films. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community. Featuring international work from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of films from the great masters, tributes and red-carpet gala premieres, AFI FEST brings the very best of world cinema to the city of Los Angeles, the film capital of the world. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.

Awards & Prizes

AFI FEST winners have consistently been nominated for Academy Awards®, Emmy Awards® and other major recognitions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.

As the only juried section of the festival, the Grand Jury Award winners for Live Action and Animated Short will be eligible for the 2019 Best Live Action Short and Best Animated Short Academy Awards®. The Shorts jury was comprised of Alison Becker (actor on PARKS AND RECREATION, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), Chinonye Chukwu (director/writer), Alicia Malone (host on Turner Classic Movies), Michael Mohan (co-creator of the Netflix original series EVERYTHING SUCKS!), Eliza Skinner (comedian and writer on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN) and Sasheer Zamata (comedian, actress, writer and former SNL cast member). The Grand Jury Award for Live-Action Short went to WAR PAINT, directed by Katrelle Kindred. The Grand Jury Award for Animated Short went to EGG, directed by Martina Scarpelli. The jury also awarded three Honorable Mention recognitions. An Honorable Mention for Social Impact Short went to MAGIC ALPS, directed by Andrea Brusa and Marco Scotuzzi. An Honorable Mention for Best Documentary Short went to PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE., directed by Rayka Zehtabchi. An Honorable Mention for Acting in a Short went to Vedrana Bozinovic, for her role in the film A SIEGE.

In addition to the Jury awards, each year, AFI FEST audiences select winners for Best Feature and Best Short. In 2018, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM, directed by John Chester, was selected as Best Feature, and PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE, directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, was selected as Best Short. The latter film went on to received the 2019 Oscar for Short Subject Documentary.

Rules & Terms

We welcome submissions via FilmFreeway only.

More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form and entry fee.

The entry fee is non-refundable.

All films and projects selected for the festival grant AFI FEST the rights to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.

All films and projects submitted must be free from any legal disputes and the filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and exhibition.

AFI FEST reserves the right to change any information contained in this document (including festival dates, venues, events, awards and eligibility requirements) without further notice.

All filmmakers and creators will be notified of their status by October 11, 2019, via email. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing programming@AFI.com.

Due to the number of submissions, AFI FEST cannot provide feedback on any entries.

Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for entry if the final cut will be available by October 18, 2019. However, please be aware that our programming department may not be able to re-screen your film if you send a final cut after submitting a rough cut. To avoid confusion throughout the screening review process, we would prefer that you only send us ONE version of your film and preferably the final version.

Previously submitted films will not be accepted, unless the film has undergone significant content changes (60% or more) and meets all other submission requirements. Permission to re-apply is required. Please email programming@AFI.com.

If selected, the filmmaker agrees to deliver the project to the festival no later than October 19, 2019.

I hereby grant AFI FEST ("Festival") presented by Audi, all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the above-referenced film at the 2019 edition. I represent that such exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights whatsoever (including copyright, trademark, musical or contract right) of any person or entity. I further represent that I am authorized to submit the above-referenced film and, if selected, will deliver the screening print to the Festival office no later than October 19, 2019. Additionally, I indemnify the Festival from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and attorney's fee arising out of or in connection with third parties in regard to the screening of said film. Further, I hereby agree that I have read and agree to the Rules and Regulations for submissions to AFI FEST 2019.