The Aperture International Student Film Festival presented by Emory University Film and Media is a competitive student festival with films originating anywhere in the world, including but not limited to the following categories: Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Animation, LGBTQ+, and International Language. The audience votes for its favorite film in each screening. Web series are not accepted.

Festival Programmers: Alicia Brown, Rita Feng, Tulia Henderson, Elizabeth Hoskins, Zachary Levine, Amina Malone, Penelope Park, Ben Salit, Paige Sullivan, Sammi Tucker, Cindy Zhang

Awards & Prizes

Best Graduate Student Film
Best College Student Film
Audience Awards
Juried Awards

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
AISFF is open to all short films under 20 minutes (including credits), originating anywhere in the world. All international language films must be subtitled in English. Films must have been produced after January 2023. We only accept online submissions for the judging process. Please do not send DVDs or press kits of any kind. If your film is selected for the festival, we will request stills and a press kit at that time.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Filmmakers must have all rights associated with their films and allow the festival to use clips for publicity purposes. If your film becomes an official selection, we will request a digital copy in addition to your screening format.
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • César Ortiz

    Thank you so much, great line up, great people!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Jacob Stauff

    Amazing festival, the organizers were phenomenal and each block had a great variety of exceptional films. Can't recommend highly enough!

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your wonderful film THE MAILMAN with our audience Jacob! It was such a pleasure screening your work and having you on the film production alum panel.