Not Yet Rated: Dream to Screen is a private, curated short film screening event in Atlanta, Georgia dedicated to independent filmmakers who made something real with no studio, no budget, and no permission from anyone.

This is not a traditional festival. There are no panels, no industry showcases, and no red carpets. It is one day, one screen, and a carefully selected lineup of Atlanta's most raw and unfiltered short films — screened in front of a room full of directors, creatives, and film lovers who understand exactly what it took to get a film finished.

We are seeking short films that are honest, specific, and unapologetic. Films that exist because the filmmaker refused to let the idea die. Genre and format are secondary — story and intention are everything. If you made something that needed to be made, we want to see it.

Submission Criteria
• Short films only, 15 minutes or under
• Atlanta-based directors strongly preferred, so you can attend and experience your project on the big screen
• Any genre. Any subject. Any visual style.
• No prior screening history required, first-time submitters are welcome

Why Submit to NYR: Dream to Screen
FilmFreeway is full of festivals. This is not that. Not Yet Rated is a community-first screening built to give Atlanta's underground filmmaking scene an intentional, curated home. Selected filmmakers will have their work screened in front of a live Atlanta audience, in a theatrical venue as intended, receive social media recognition across the Not Yet Rated platform, and become part of the inaugural class of a growing brand dedicated to independent film in the city.

Selected films and their directors will be featured individually across our Instagram ahead of the event — putting your name and your work in front of Atlanta's creative community before the lights even go down.

The Name Says It All
The creative value of these films has not been evaluated. That is exactly the point. We are not looking for films that fit a mold. We are looking for films that broke one.
Submit your short. Show the world what you made and give your dream the big screen it deserves.

Not Yet Rated: Dream to Screen — Atlanta, Georgia.

Awards & Prizes

The Dream to Screen Award is the highest honor at Not Yet Rated — and it isn't decided by a panel, a judge, or an industry insider. This award is for the film that started as an idea someone refused to let die. The Dream to Screen Award is voted on entirely by the people in the room on the day of the screening. The filmmaker whose short resonates most with the audience takes home $150 and the distinction of being named the inaugural Dream to Screen Award recipient — a title that will mean more as this event grows.

Additional Recognition for All Official Selections:
• Official Not Yet Rated Selection Laurel
• Inclusion in social media event promo posts

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film to Not Yet Rated: A Cinematic Shorts Screening Series, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the following Terms & Conditions. These terms apply to all submissions, selections, and participation in Not Yet Rated events, whether in-person or virtual, and are entered into with Not Yet Rated, the organizer of this screening series.

1. Eligibility
To be considered for Not Yet Rated, submitted films must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have a runtime under 15 minutes.
• Have been completed between 2023 and 2026.
• All genres are welcome, including narrative, documentary, episodic, and experimental.

Films that do not meet these requirements will be disqualified from consideration without refund of any submission fees.

2. Submission Requirements
• All submissions must be made exclusively through FilmFreeway.

• Submission fees are non-refundable under all circumstances, including withdrawal, disqualification, or event cancellation.

• Works-in-progress may be submitted for consideration, provided that the final version is delivered and ready by the confirmed screening date.

• Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles. Submissions without subtitles will not be considered.

• Submitters are responsible for ensuring all information provided during submission is accurate and complete.

3. Selection & Programming
Submission to Not Yet Rated does not guarantee selection or screening.
Selection does not guarantee placement in a specific screening month. All scheduling is determined solely at the discretion of the Not Yet Rated programming team.
All decisions made by the programming team are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding selection outcomes.
Selected filmmakers will be notified via the email address provided at submission. Filmmakers must confirm their participation within 7 days of receiving notification. Failure to respond within this window may result in forfeiture of the screening slot.
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joey Robinson

    Great time! Really great mix of people and films, a fun venue, and well organized.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Hana Holloway

    Wonderful festival! Exceptional for its first year. Even though we weren’t able to attend in person, the festival runner did a wonderful job of keeping us informed. An honor to be a part of this screening, excited to see what they do next!

    May 2026
    Helpful