The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival is Alabama’s longest-running film festival, hosted annually by the University of North Alabama in Florence, at the heart of the culturally rich Shoals region. Known globally for its musical legacy—highlighted in the documentary Muscle Shoals—the Shoals has produced icons like W.C. Handy, Sam Phillips, and Helen Keller, and continues to nurture a thriving creative community.

Founded in 1998 by celebrated entertainer George Lindsey, the festival has become a hub where international filmmakers, emerging voices, and industry veterans converge with UNA students and local audiences. Through screenings, panels, and networking events, the festival fosters meaningful exchange between global storytellers and the next generation of filmmakers.

Over the years, the festival has welcomed guests such as Oscar winners Billy Bob Thornton and Ernest Borgnine, actors Michael Rooker and Stephen Root, screenwriters Will Fetters and Bob Gale, and music supervisors like Thomas Golubić and Andrea von Foerster.

A competitive festival, GLUNAFF honors outstanding work across categories, including the Clyde “Sappo” Black Award for best Alabama-made film ($2000)

GLUNAFF is where community, creativity, and cinema meet.

Golden Lion Award for Best Film or Screenplay in each category

Best of Fest Award

Sweet Home Alabama Award
Given for the best film made at least partially in Alabama.
Sponsor: Clyde “Sappo” Black Family
Cash Award Value: 2,000 U.S. Dollars

George Lindsey Jr. Award for Best Comedy Film

Jason Flynn Memorial Award for Best UNA Cinematic Arts and Theatre Film

UNA Mitchell-West Award for Diversity in Film

UNA Mitchell-West Woman's Award

Special Jury Awards
Honors include: Best Story; Best Directing; Best Cinematography; Best Actress; Best Actor; Best Editing; Best Sound Design; Best Score

1. The Sweet Home Alabama Award, (sponsored by the family of Clyde “Sappo” Black) carries a $2,000 cash award. To be eligible, entries must have been shot, at least partially, in Alabama. To be considered for this award (in addition to qualifications in the area of entry) a brief explanation of qualification must be provided at the time of submission. If an explanation is not provided at the time of submission, the entry may still be judged within the category of entry, but will not qualify for the Sweet Home Alabama Award.

2. A feature film runtime typically exceeds 40 minutes, while a short film runtime does not. Feature films are accepted, but short films are preferred. This does not apply to screenplays, since there is a distinct category of entry for features and shorts.

3. Student film entries are accepted from students enrolled in a degree-granting college or university program during the time of production. A COPY OF THEIR STUDENT ID OR TRANSCRIPT IS REQUIRED UPON SUBMISSION FOR CONFIRMATION. THE FESTIVAL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ENTRIES THAT ARE NOT SUBMITTED WITH CORRECT DOCUMENTATION.

4. The Youth Filmmaker award is for short productions completed by students before entering college or university studies (typically ages 5-18). A COPY OF THEIR STUDENT ID OR TRANSCRIPT IS REQUIRED UPON SUBMISSION FOR CONFIRMATION. THE FESTIVAL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ENTRIES THAT ARE NOT SUBMITTED WITH CORRECT DOCUMENTATION.

5. The Vanguard award is for short films of alternative expression, innovative aesthetic, or original exploration of abstract technique. Examples include Animation, Music Video, Avant-garde, etc.

6. A Feature Screenplay must exceed 80 pages. For screenplay entry, upload in any two of the following format extensions: “.pdf”; “.fdr”, or “.doc”.

7. A Short Screenplay must not exceed 80 pages. For screenplay entry, upload in any two of the following format extensions: “.pdf”; “.fdr”, or “.doc”.

8. All entries must have been completed after January 1, 2023

9. No previously screened material of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival may be submitted for competition again.

10. Multiple entries are accepted, but a complete submission entry will need to be completed for each individual project.

11. Submissions may be in HD, Vimeo, or YouTube format.

12. All films selected for screening grant the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival the right to use them for promotional purposes.

13. The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival is permitted to retain copies of each film selected as part of our festival library and for media educational use.

14. The earliest arriving promotional materials stand a more reasonable chance of receiving press screenings or highlight within promotions for the festival. This is due simply to our access to these items and does not reflect preference by the festival or judges.

15. Submission of materials for consideration does not guarantee inclusion in festival screenings.

16. The festival reserves the right to disqualify from competition any entry in which categorical qualifications of contributors have been misrepresented. If the eligibility of an entry is questioned the festival is authorized to make determinations.

17. Noncompliance with any rules, terms, and conditions may affect entry qualifications.

18. A press kit is required after acceptance but requested at the time of submission. It should include:

Film Press Kit Requirements
- Synopsis of plot and premise (not to exceed 150 words)
- Bio and filmography information for contributors
- Complete list of film credits
- Digital high-resolution images: on-set production stills, film screen captures, promotional art (such as postcards, fliers, and posters), press clippings, etc. – 300+ dpi resolution is requested
- Clip (not to exceed one minute in length) to be used for publicity and/or at the awards show ceremony (acceptable extensions: “.avi”; “.mpg”; “.mov”)
- OPTIONAL: Trailer (not to exceed two minutes in length) to be used for publicity and/or at the awards show ceremony

Screenplay Press Kit Requirements
- Synopsis of plot and premise (not to exceed 150 words)
- Bio and filmography information for contributor(s)
- Digital high resolution image of writer(s) – 300+ dpi resolution is requested
- OPTIONAL: Copy of the defining scene that captures the essence of the screenplay

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Pisie Hochheim & Tony Oswald

    We were so honored to be selected for this fest. The program is really great and communication was excellent!

    April 2025
  • University of South Alabama Animation

    We had several of our students' animated films in the first day of this festival and we are so excited to be a part of such a long-running and prestigious festival. We will definitely be submitting more student animations in the future.

    We could not attend in person, but we will be attempting to make arrangements to get our students there in the future.

    Thanks UNA and George Lindsey Film Fest!

    March 2025
  • Jeffrey Morgan

    The hospitality of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival is unmatched. We felt so welcomed and taken care of during our time there and also made so many new filmmaker and industry connections. They say this area of Alabama has a magic in the air. I can attest to that and hope to return to Florence and the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in the future. Thank you so much to Michael, Meghan, Cynthia and team for putting on such a memorable and wonderful festival!

    March 2025
  • Shane Chung

    Brings charm and incredible southern hospitality like no other to the film festival circuit. Three days of jam-packed screenings, friendly people + staff, and incredible organization. Would absolutely attend again!!!

    March 2025
  • I could not attend Lindsey in person, as I was booked at another festival, but the social media coverage and communication was excellent and I sincerely hope my next project gets to screen there as well.

    March 2025