AFI FEST 2020 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 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 competition of the festival, the Grand Jury Award winners for Live Action and Animated Short will be eligible for the 2020 Best Live Action Short and Best Animated Short Academy Awards®. Previous Live Action Grand Jury Prize winners include EXAM (2019) directed by Sonia K. Hadad and WAR PAINT (2018) directed by Katrelle Kindred. Previous Animation Grand Jury Prize winners include SOMETHING TO REMEMBER (2019) directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr and EGG (2018) directed by Martina Scarpelli.

The Short Film Jury has included filmmakers, writers and actors such as Chinonye Chukwu, Katrelle Kindred, Hannah Peterson, Davy Rothbart, Sasheer Zamata, Alison Becker, Michael Mohan and Eliza Skinner.

In addition to the Jury awards, each year, AFI FEST audiences select winners for Best Feature and Best Short. In 2019, I AM NOT ALONE, directed by Garin Hovannisian, was selected as Best Feature, and LOST & FOUND, directed by Orlando Von Einsiedel, was selected as Best Short.

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 September 10, 2020, 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 September 17, 2020. 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 September 17, 2020.

I hereby grant AFI FEST ("Festival") presented by Audi, all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the above-referenced film at the 2020 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 September 17, 2020. 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 2020.

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  • Ariane Boukerche

    Great Film Festival. Thank you very much.

    November 2020
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  • Henriette Rietz

    Wonderful and very well organized festival. I am very proud that my film »POSTPARTUM« was screened at the AFI Fest. Thanks for everything!

    October 2020
    Helpful