From the creative energy of Los Angeles to the historic landscapes of Scotland, The Atlantis Awards is an IMDb-certified traveling celebration of independent and student cinema, guided by an international jury and a commitment to thoughtful, craft-focused recognition. We believe exceptional storytelling transcends borders, and we are dedicated to discovering the industry’s next great voices — wherever they emerge.

Following our milestone tenth ceremony in the Pacific Northwest, Atlantis continues its journey. Our next live event is currently in development, with a return to Los Angeles under consideration, as we pair intimate venues with globally reviewed work and bring filmmakers together in spaces where cinema is meant to be experienced: on the big screen, with an audience.

Recognition at Atlantis does not end with selection or a FilmFreeway notification. We actively advocate for the artists we honor, highlighting their work through spotlight features, press outreach, and continued promotion beyond awards night. Our goal is not only to celebrate exceptional films, but to help ensure they are seen.

For filmmakers seeking comprehensive consideration, our Curated Entry program offers holistic evaluation across eligible categories, with structured feedback available upon request. Designed to remove guesswork while maintaining rigorous standards, it reflects our belief that recognition should be both discerning and transparent.

Whether narrative, documentary, animation, or student work, Atlantis seeks projects with a clear voice, intention, and artistic care. We are drawn to filmmakers who understand not only how to tell a story, but why they are telling it — including work where performance, movement, and visual expression carry meaning beyond dialogue.

The Atlantis Awards is not just about recognizing films — it’s about discovering filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

Maximize Your Award Potential
The Curated Entry Program (Recommended)

The Curated Entry program is designed for filmmakers who want their work positioned strategically across awards categories rather than navigating category selection on their own.

The Curated Entry program places your project into our internal programming track, where a festival concierge reviews your work comprehensively and determines all award categories for which your project is eligible.

Rather than guessing which categories to enter, the Curated Entry program ensures your project is positioned appropriately across directing, writing, editing, performance (including physical and non-verbal performance), and overall film awards where applicable. This approach prevents missed opportunities and allows your work to be evaluated holistically across craft, performance, and storytelling.

Entering individual categories is optional. Projects are fully eligible for all applicable awards simply by entering the Curated Entry track. Our team tracks category eligibility and results internally, and no further action is required on your part.

For entrants who prefer to manage category submissions directly through FilmFreeway, a custom waiver code can be generated which allows you to enter the recommended categories individually at no cost. Each category must be submitted separately to ensure proper tracking of nominations, awards, and judging results within the FilmFreeway system.

As part of the Curated Entry program, each project receives a formalized competitive assessment during jury deliberation. Upon request following Notification Day, entrants may receive a written evaluation summary outlining category score breakdown, competitive placement within the field, and brief craft-based insight from the review process.

Formal evaluations are typically delivered within fourteen (14) days of request. Requests must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the annual ceremony.

Atlantis alumni are always welcome to reach out for continued dialogue beyond the awards cycle.

2. Single Category Submissions

Prefer to select your own categories? Our standard submission structure offers two tracks:

Core Awards — Open to all filmmakers, celebrating cinematic excellence at any scale
Student Awards — Exclusive categories for student-led productions

– Our Promise –

We believe great art transcends budget. Whether you submit through Curated Entry or À La Carte, each project is reviewed with the same care, rigor, and respect.

Please Note: Up to five nominees per category will be announced on Notification Day. Winners are revealed live at the annual ceremony, with online results posted within 48 hours. Nominees and winners are submitted to IMDb within 48 hours of the ceremony.

Rules & Terms

THE ATLANTIS AWARDS – SUBMISSION AGREEMENT
1. General Agreement

By submitting a film or screenplay to The Atlantis Awards (the “Festival”), the submitter (the “Applicant”) represents and warrants that they have obtained all necessary rights, permissions, and consents from all owners, creators, writers, producers, and/or other authorized representatives (collectively, the “Rights Holders”).

By submitting to any category, the Applicant agrees that the Rights Holders are solely responsible for any legal, financial, or ethical claims arising from the submission, including but not limited to its exhibition, promotion, or distribution by the Festival.

2. Disqualification

The Atlantis Awards reserves the right to disqualify or reject any submission that does not comply with these terms. Submission fees are non-refundable.

3. Screening Fees

The Atlantis Awards does not pay screening fees for any selected films.

4. Right to Modify

The Atlantis Awards reserves the right to modify any aspect of the Festival, including rules, regulations, categories, and programming, at its sole discretion and without prior notice.

A) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Film Submissions

All film submissions must be in English or contain English subtitles. Dialogue lists are not accepted.

Screenplay Submissions

Screenplay submissions are welcomed from writers around the world and may be submitted in their native language.

The Applicant warrants that they have full legal authority to submit the work and to use all music, images, text, and content contained within the submission.

For eligibility questions, please contact: contact@theatlantisawards.com

B) SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Format

Films must be submitted via an online screener hosted on Vimeo or a similar secure platform. Enabling downloads is recommended. Physical screeners (DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) are not accepted and will not be returned.

Completion

Only complete submissions (including payment and a functional screener or script file) will be considered.

Works-in-Progress

Works-in-progress are accepted (e.g., without final color correction or sound mixing). However, the Festival will evaluate only the version submitted. Updated versions will be accepted only upon request by the programming team.

Technical Issues

The Atlantis Awards is not responsible for corrupted, inaccessible, or otherwise unviewable submissions.

Multiple Categories & Waiver Submissions

Applicants may submit a single project to multiple categories where eligible. Selection is determined solely by the judging panel, and submission to a category does not guarantee selection or nomination.

Student, sponsored, or courtesy waiver codes apply to individual category entries only and do not apply to Curated Entry submissions. However, applicants using waiver codes are welcome to submit their projects to multiple categories individually.

Exceptional projects submitted through standard category entries may still be considered for additional recognition, spotlight features, press coverage, or expanded jury review at the discretion of The Atlantis Awards programming team.

Selection Decisions

Not all submissions will be selected. Decisions of the judging panel and programming committee are final. The Festival is not obligated to provide feedback, critiques, or reasons for non-selection outside of the Curated Entry program.

AI-GENERATED AND AI-ASSISTED WORKS

The Atlantis Awards accepts films created using artificial intelligence tools, generative media, virtual production, or other emerging production methods. These works are evaluated as films based on storytelling, direction, writing, editing, sound, music, concept, and overall artistic execution.

Awards recognizing human performance or physical production crafts—such as acting, physical performance, stunt performance, movement-based performance, choreography, cinematography, or similar disciplines—are reserved for works involving human performance and/or physical production processes. Projects created primarily through generative or synthetic image or video systems may therefore be ineligible for certain craft-based categories.

Animated categories are reserved for traditionally animated works, including hand-drawn animation, stop-motion, CGI animation, or other animation techniques created through animation pipelines. AI-generated films are not eligible for animated category awards unless the animation itself is demonstrably created through traditional animation production methods rather than generative image or video synthesis.

AI-generated or AI-assisted works remain eligible for general film categories, directing, writing, editing, sound, music, international categories, and innovation or experimental awards, subject to jury discretion.

Curated Entry is an internal programming track used for jury review and category placement and is not itself a competitive award category. Curated Entry submissions created using AI tools are evaluated under the same Curated Entry process as all projects. However, due to category eligibility limitations, AI-generated works may be eligible for fewer award categories. This does not affect Curated Entry consideration, programming decisions, or jury evaluation of the work as a film.

The Atlantis Awards evaluates films based on artistic intent, storytelling, direction, editing, and overall execution. Production budget, tools used, or production method do not automatically advantage or disadvantage a submission.

The Atlantis Awards reserves the right to determine category eligibility and may reassign submissions to appropriate categories at the discretion of the programming committee.

C) JUDGING & SELECTION

The Atlantis Awards is a jury-driven festival focused on storytelling, craft, and artistic voice. Awards are determined by comparative jury evaluation within each category and not by production budget, resources, or production scale.

The Atlantis Awards are judged by an independent panel of film school graduates, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts.

Selections are determined by the Festival’s programming committee. Applicants will be notified via email if selected.

While the Festival does not provide standard feedback, projects submitted through the Curated Entry program receive a formalized competitive assessment during jury deliberation.

Upon request following Notification Day, eligible entrants may receive a written evaluation summary outlining category score breakdown, general competitive placement, and brief craft-based insight derived from the review process.

Evaluation summaries are typically delivered within fourteen (14) days of request. Requests must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the annual ceremony.

The Atlantis Awards reserves the right to limit, summarize, or decline feedback requests at its sole discretion.

Atlantis alumni are always welcome to reach out for continued dialogue beyond the awards cycle.

D) ENTRY FEES

Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. All fees are non-refundable.

A courtesy discount code may be available: princeofatlantis (25% off).

Fees cover registration, processing, full consideration by the programming team, and notification of results.

E) MARKETING AUTHORIZATION

By submitting a film or screenplay, the Applicant grants The Atlantis Awards the right to use submitted materials—including but not limited to posters, stills, trailers, excerpts, loglines, and synopses—for promotional and marketing purposes across Festival platforms.

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND WARRANTIES
Authority

The Applicant warrants that they are authorized to submit the work and grant the rights outlined in this agreement.

Clearance

The Applicant warrants that all necessary rights, licenses, and releases have been secured for all content included in the submission, including but not limited to music, images, footage, and likenesses.

Grant of Rights (Films Only)

If selected, the Applicant grants The Atlantis Awards and its affiliates the non-exclusive right to screen the film at Festival events without monetary compensation.

The Applicant further grants the Festival the right to:

Promote, link to, and embed trailers or promotional materials
Affix Festival bumpers (not exceeding 6 seconds at the beginning and end)
Use excerpts (up to 30 seconds) for promotional purposes
Publicize the film, its creators, and associated materials
Indemnification

The Applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The Atlantis Awards and its affiliates from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from the submission or its exhibition.

Creative Similarities

The Applicant acknowledges that the Festival and its affiliates may independently develop or present works similar in concept, theme, or execution. No compensation shall be owed for such similarities.

Competency

The Applicant affirms that they are at least 18 years of age, have read and understood these terms, and are legally authorized to enter into this agreement.
54 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jeanne Renaux

    This was my first Film Festival and I am so glad it was! The team at the Atlantis Awards is professional and personal, and go above and beyond to make this festival special. The films that won this year are incredible, and I was honored to be chosen to be a part of this film experience.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Jeanne,

    Thank you so much for your kind words — it truly means a lot to us.

    We’re especially glad to hear that your first festival experience was a positive one. That’s something we care deeply about, and it’s wonderful to know 100 Paper Stars was part of that journey. Your film brought a unique sense of warmth and creativity to this year’s program, and we were honored to include it among the nominees.

    We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and we hope to see more of your work in the future.

    All the very best,
    The Atlantis Awards Team

  • Dan Burns

    What an honor to receive six nominations for our short film, "Come Out, Wherever You Are." We loved everything about the festival!

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for the kind words, and congratulations again on the six nominations for Come Out, Wherever You Are. It was a pleasure having the film as part of this season’s program.

    Our jury had a very spirited discussion around the project, and the multiple nominations are a reflection of how strongly it resonated across several categories. We’re grateful you chose to share your work with us and hope to see more from you in future seasons.

  • Jorge Morais

    Being part of The Atlantis Awards was seriously meaningful. Forget the nominations or the trophies for a sec; what really hits is the visibility they give to indie filmmakers. And let’s be real, that’s exactly what we need more of in this game.
    As creators grinding outside the big systems, we spend years pouring our stories into the world with barely a ripple. Festivals like The Atlantis Awards don’t just show your work , they put a spotlight on it. That kind of support? Way beyond any prize.
    Communication through the whole process was on point; clear, honest, and respectful. The selection and deliberation were totally transparent, which makes you trust that every decision is thought through with real care.
    The Atlantis Awards isn’t just another stop on the festival circuit. It’s a necessary cinematic space, built to actually lift up new voices. They get what indie filmmakers need: visibility, structure, and genuine engagement.

    Grateful to have been part of it 🔱

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.

    We’re especially grateful that you recognized the intention behind what we do. Visibility, clear communication, and a transparent process are not add-ons for us — they’re foundational. Every project represents years of work, and we believe that deserves care and seriousness.

    It was an honor to have your film as part of the season, and we’re glad the experience felt meaningful beyond the awards themselves.

    Wishing you continued momentum in your creative journey.

    — The Atlantis Awards

  • Ivan Krapivin

    I like the communication most. You're guys are doing great things.
    Unfortunately I can't participate in person but observed all that has happened and it was cool.. Thank you.

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words — we truly appreciate you taking the time to share them.

    Clear communication and meaningful recognition are central to what we do, so it means a great deal to hear that reflected back. While we always love having filmmakers with us in person, we’re glad you were able to follow along and be part of the experience from afar.

    Wishing you continued success with your work, and we hope our paths cross again soon.

    — The Atlantis Awards

  • John Martins III

    My gratitude to the Atlantis Awards for honoring my full-length, unproduced screenplay, "The Fourth Psalm," as a nominee there at the Firehouse in Kingston. Very much appreciated. Continued success in all that you do.

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words.

    It was an honor to have The Fourth Psalm recognized as a nominee. The strength of your writing and the ambition of the material made it a meaningful part of the season’s program.

    We’re grateful you entrusted the work to us and appreciate your generosity in sharing your experience. Wishing you continued momentum as the project moves forward.

    — The Atlantis Awards