The inaugural Ateljee Film Festival(A Melkbos Ateljee initiative) is an international celebration of bold, independent cinema, dedicated to amplifying emerging voices from around the world. With a special focus on low-budget filmmaking, Ateljee exists to provide a welcoming platform for up-and-coming artists to showcase deeply personal, creative, and unconventional work in a supportive environment.

Taking place in the picturesque seaside town of Melkbosstrand, a town known for producing incredible talent across multiple disciplines, the Ateljee Film Festival aims to cultivate a vibrant creative hub where emerging filmmakers from around the world can connect, collaborate, and share their stories with passionate audiences.

We believe that great cinema is not defined by budget, but by vision, passion, and authenticity. Ateljee Film Festival seeks to champion filmmakers who create meaningful stories outside the traditional studio system, fostering connection between artists and audiences who value independent storytelling.

The festival accepts both fiction and documentary films in the following categories:

- Short Films (fiction and documentary): over 3 minutes and under 16 minutes
- Feature Films (fiction and documentary): over 60 minutes and under 2 hours

All submitted films must have been produced with a total budget of under $1 million USD.

We are proud to include a "Weskus Beskus" category, which aims to highlight exciting projects produced in the Western Cape region of South Africa.

Whether intimate and experimental or ambitious and daring, Ateljee Film Festival aims to spotlight the next generation of independent filmmakers and create a space where creativity, collaboration, and artistic risk-taking can thrive.

Awards & Prizes

Documentary Short
- Best Short
- Weskus Beskus(Best Local short)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Sound

Documentary Feature
- Best Feature
- Weskus Beskus(Best Local feature)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Sound

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Narrative Short
- Best Short
- Weskus Beskus(Best Local Short)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Sound
- Best Script
- Best Actor

Narrative Feature
- Best Feature
- Weskus Beskus(Best Local feature)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Sound
- Best Script
- Best Actor

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Audience Choice
- Best Short(Documentary & Narrative)
- Best Feature(Documentary & Narrative)

Rules & Terms

All films must have english subtitles.

Short(Documentary & Narrative)
- Runtime: 3-16 minutes
- Resolution: No less than 720p

Feature(Documentary & Narrative)
- Runtime: 1-2 hours
- Resolution: No less than 720p

Films made predominantly from AI generated material will not be considered.
Films completed before 1 January 2024 will not be considered.

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Films containing explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or excessive drug use will not be accepted.
In order to preserve the independent spirit of this festival, no films with a budget of more than $1 million will be considered.
By submitting a film to the Ateljee Film Festival, the submitter confirms that they hold all necessary rights, permissions, and clearances required for exhibition of the work, including but not limited to music, footage, performances, trademarks, and other copyrighted material contained within the film. The Ateljee Film Festival, its organizers, partners, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any copyright infringement, unauthorized use of materials, or other legal disputes arising from submitted works. All legal responsibility for the content of the submission remains solely with the submitter.