The Amarcord Arthouse Television Awards (AATVA) is a distinctive, web-exclusive competition designed to honor arthouse films created specifically for television and digital video platforms. Unlike traditional festivals, AATVA does not feature public screenings but rather functions as a digital showcase that bridges the gap between the most innovative filmmakers and a discerning, intellectually curious audience. Films are screened privately for our esteemed jury panel. As an extension of the Blow-up Arthouse Film Festival, AATVA continues the legacy of spotlighting narrative, musical, and documentary films, along with shorts, animations, experimental works, and student projects.

Named in homage to Fellini's iconic film "Amarcord," the event aims to broaden the appreciation of arthouse cinema, focusing on films created with deep aesthetic and philosophical intent. We believe that stories driven by authentic expression have the power to spark new ideas, foster compassion, and inspire social change, all while upholding the fundamental principles of humanism.

AATVA is dedicated to discovering and nurturing emerging artists and audiences, providing a platform for independent film and theatre creators from the United States and around the globe. We also honor and welcome established arthouse filmmakers whose significant contributions have shaped the art of filmmaking. Our mission is to support and inspire creativity, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and connecting audiences with pioneering work that challenges and transforms.

Director David Lynch has expressed concern over the current state of alternative cinema, describing it as a "sad time" due to the closure of many arthouse cinemas and the migration of the most innovative ideas to television. Lynch, known for iconic films like Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, remarked, "The new arthouse is cable television." Reflecting on his own transition to TV in the 1990s with Twin Peaks, which is set to return in 2016, Lynch noted, "The film industry has changed. With the disappearance of arthouse cinemas, alternative filmmakers are left with few venues, relying mostly on film festivals to showcase their work on a big screen. It's a challenging time for alternative cinema."

Awards & Prizes

All entries accepted for competition are eligible to download digital Official Selection Laurels. Winners in the Main Categories can download a digital laurel and receive recognition on our website. Technical Category winners will also receive a digital laurel and be acknowledged on the website. The Best of the Fest—Michelangelo Antonioni Award winner will receive a physical trophy. Additionally, all winners and finalists are eligible to list their achievements on the Amarcord IMDB Awards page.

- Main Categories -
Best Narrative Short - Jean Vigo
Best Screenplay - Tonino Guerra Award
Best Documentary - Dziga Vertov Award
Best Production Design
Best TV/Web Series Episode
Best Actor - Marlon Brando Award
Best Experimental Film
Best Animation - Norman McLaren Award
Best Music Film - Bob Fosse Award

- Technical Categories -
Best Director - Tarkovsky Award
Best Actress - Audrey Hepburn Award
Best Cinematography - Vadim Usov Award
Best Soundtrack
Best Student Film
Best Comedy
Best Commercial
Special Jury Prize(s)
Best Family/Children's Film
Founder's Award(s)

Rules & Terms

Please read these Rules & Terms carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film into competition in the Amarcord Arthouse Television & Film Fest Awards, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of these Rules & Terms.

The Amarcord Arthouse Television & Film Fest Awards (AATVA) is open to any film completed after January 1, 2021 regardless of content, subject, or origin. Submitting your film to the AATVA is not a guarantee of selection. All the Official selection, Nominees and the Winners will be listed on our website permanently. All the winning films will receive a trophy award or certificate. Please read all the rules and regulations before submitting your project. Please note that we do not offer application fee waivers: we treat every filmmaker equally.

1. Films made in languages other than English must have English subtitles.

2. The AATVA is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival within the United States only. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules, and regulations.

3. The AATVA reserves the right to refuse entries or change the Submission Status.

4. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the AATVA, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and publicity.

5. The BFF will not refund any fees if the filmmaker fails to submit the film in the correct category. Films submitted without the correct fees or proper submission media may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the AATVA programming director or executive director. The festival does not cover any of the expenses incurred by the filmmaker.

6. After a film has been an official selection, the filmmaker will be notified, and eventually, the film will be listed on the festival website under Official Selections. The 'Accepted' (Official Selection) status means your film is included in the competition section of the BFF and you are now eligible for a nomination/award and you can use the festival logo on your poster.

7. An official selection and a nominee will be privately screened for the AATVA judging panel, and it would not be screened to the public. There is no live event to be held.

8. “Best of the Fest” submission a trophy award.

9. We require an official trailer or poster, synopsis and a link to your film. Please select the correct category, while submitting to avoid disqualification. We reserve the right to re-assign film to an appropriate category.

10. AATVA may without advance notice amend these Rules & Terms from time to time. Each and every such amendment shall become effective immediately. It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates of these Rules & Terms.
39 Reviews
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  • Dan Smith

    Another quality film festival I found through FilmFreeway, thank you

    July 2020
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  • Andree Harris

    Grateful to be a part of this festival. They communicated well and were extremely friendly

    April 2020
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  • Ralph Hammann

    When I first set about selecting festivals to which to submit my documentary about Richard Wilbur, I was immediately drawn to this festival which was named in honor of maestro Fellini's masterpiece, Amarcord, one of my very favorite films. Upon reading the mission statement and philosophy, I was determined to enter with merely the hope that our film might be selected for review. I am, thus, over-the-moon delighted to have received the award for best documentary. That it, in turn, is named after Dziga Vertov, whose essential Man With a Movie Camera is another favorite, sent me over the moon and beyond. The handsome trophy will remain a reminder of the first film award I have ever won. More important, the honor gives this independent arthouse director a most welcome boost in confidence. On behalf of all who worked on the film, please know that Amarcord is truly a place that welcomes the different and the thought-provoking.

    It was a thorough pleasure dealing with the Amarcord staff during both the submission process AND the receipt of the lovely news and award.

    December 2019
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  • Anar Azimov

    I am proud that our film has been nominated for Federico Fellini Award! Thank you so much!

    November 2019
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  • Maurizio Noris

    Let’s leave aside the professionality, as that should always go without saying.
    In my case, the Chicago Amarcord Arthouse Television Awards was a festival that, like very few others, had the courage to select a total underdog as a finalist.
    So, it deserves all my respect because of the good faith and absence of ulterior motives it’s using to pursue its mission, my experience says that the statement of the festival really corresponds to what it does.

    November 2019
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