The Cobb International Film Festival is a collaboration between Long Shot Productions, Ltd., The Earl Smith Strand Theater, Cobb Travel and Tourism, The City of Marietta and the Cobb County Georgia Government.

Held in the Earl Smith Strand Theater on beautiful Marietta Square each year, this festival is an opportunity for filmmakers of all levels to share their work.

In 2016, the Marietta International Film Festival began a partnership with Film Racing and includes the screenings and Awards Gala for the 24 Hour Film Race as part of the festival.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Best Domestic Feature Film
Best Domestic Short Film
Best International Feature Film
Best International Short Film
Best Local Film
Best Documentary
Best Lead Actor/Actress in a Feature Film
Best Lead Actor/Actress in a Short Film
Best Supporting Actor/Actress in a Feature Film
Best Supporting Actor/Actress in a Short Film
Best Direction in a Feature Film
Best Direction in a Short Film
Best Cinematography in a Feature Film
Best Cinematography in a Short Film
Best Writing in a Feature Film
Best Writing in a Short Film
Best Wardrobe
Best Makeup
Best Score

WHEN SUBMITTING, PLEASE ENSURE ALL INFORMATION IS COMPLETED ON YOUR PROFILE - NOT HAVING A COMPLETE PROFILE CAN EFFECT YOUR CHANGES OF ACCEPTANCE.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Films submitted to the Festival for consideration for the Festival may apply in one of six submission categories. The following is a description of each submission category, along with eligibility requirements for each:

NARRATIVE FEATURE FILMS
Any narrative work of fiction with a running time of 50 minutes or more, including films that are shot in a "mockumentary" style.

DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Any non-fiction film WITH THE EXCEPTION OF, and NOT INCLUDING, entirely scripted or improvised fictionalizations of actual events. If your documentary contains some dramatization of actual events, you may submit in this category, but we will ultimately decide which program is best suited for your project, if accepted.

NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS
Any narrative film with a running time of less than 50 minutes. Short Films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions-- they may have had any number of public theatrical exhibitions, been released on DVD, and may have been broadcast on television or the internet and still retain eligibility.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Please be advised that the information listed below is subject to change at any time, as our Festival program categories vary from year to year. Films accepted by the Festival into the Festival will be placed, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Festival Programming department, in one of twelve program categories. Applicants may not submit their Films directly to any specific category.

The following is a description of each program category, along with eligibility requirements for each:

FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
This category offers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in independent film from around the world. Fueled by fierce creativity and vision, these films are guaranteed to leave a lasting impact on the next generation of cinema.

Films must be either scripted or improvisational fiction and must have a total running time of 50 minutes or more. Films selected to play in this category will compete against one another for jury prizes and an audience award.

DOCUMENTARY FILM COMPETITION
From human rights to popular culture, these films confront the subjects that define our time. Stylistic diversity and rigorous filmmaking distinguish these new worldwide documentaries.

Films must be a non-fiction documentary subject ("mockumentaries" do not qualify). Films selected to play in this category will compete against one another for jury prizes and an audience award.

SHORT NARRATIVE FILM COMPETITON (U.S. & International Short Films)
Limited only by runtime and driven by innovation and experimentation, short films transcend the rules of conventional storytelling. From cutting-edge animation to the best in Native and documentary cinema, these Shorts Programs call out filmmaking’s most original imaginations.

All short films are selected to play before features or in one of eight Shorts Programs, and all accepted shorts are eligible for awards in our Shorts Competition. Short Films must have a total running time of less than 50 minutes, including credits. There are no premiere or prior screening restrictions for short films. Shorts may have been released on DVD, broadcast on television or the internet, and/or publicly screened anywhere in the world, and still remain eligible for our Shorts Competition. U.S. Films selected to play in this category will compete against one another for the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking. International films selected to play in this category will compete against one another for the Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The Cobb International Film Festival is one of my favorites to have been a part of. The creator of the entire festival is also a filmmaker, actor, director, and super-talented guy, who took the time to create a very special experience for all filmmakers. I tip my hat to Richard Tavernaro and The Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia, for creating such a wonderful environment for showcasing original films. I had a blast and my film HAMMERED: A FOND FAREWELL TO THE RUSTY NAIL, was received well and looked so cool on the large Silver Screen! Thank you for an amazing experience this last August 3rd at the 10th Annual Cobb International Film Festival! I highly recommend submitting your work to this particular festival and begin to share in the fun with all the other local filmmakers. This is a killer networking event and is just an exciting time to be among so much talent. Thank you very much for a memory I will never forget!
    -Trey McGriff
    WhiskeyChild.com/HAMMERED

    October 2024
  • Tyler Cole

    CIFF is held in the historic Strand Theater in downtown Marietta, GA. It was an amazingly well organized festival, with guest speakers ranging from casting directors to T-1000 himself, Robert Patrick, I highly recommend it!

    August 2024
  • Lovely festival in a lovely venue.

    August 2024
  • What an amazing experience! Traveling all the way from Boston to attend Cobb IFF was worth every effort. The festival offered incredible networking opportunities, allowing us to connect with industry professionals in a way that was truly invaluable. The welcoming and encouraging film community you’ve created made the experience even better. We’re thankful for the chance to share our story with *Peter’s Plan*.
    Highly recommend it.

    August 2024
  • This was the rare festival that I was able to attend and I wasn't disappointed. Great venue and presentation and, before and since, great communication from the festival to those of us lucky enough to have had our work selected.

    August 2024