Join us for the 16th Annual Atlanta Docufest held July 22 - 24, 2021.
We are one of the only live film festivals held during the 2020 pandemic.
No matter what the circumstances are, the show will go on!
Our entry fees have been deeply discounted this year, so everyone has a chance to be a part of it.

2021 marks our 16th annual celebration of documentary films and filmmakers, and we will continue to bring you the best in independent documentary films from across the globe. Atlanta DocuFest showcases meaningful life stories which educate and entertain audiences of every demographic.

We encourage talented documentary filmmakers from every country to share your story with our audience. Join us for this very special event, where life-changing documentary films and their creators are celebrated.

Join us and experience a collection of some of the best documentary films of the year!

ATLANTA FILM SERIES:

Atlanta Docufest is held during the annual Atlanta Film Series, a showcase of independent film packed with four unique film festivals designed to spotlight every genre of cinema imaginable.

Events include:
Atlanta Underground Film Festival
Atlanta Shortsfest
Atlanta Horror Film Festival
Atlanta Docufest

Awards & Prizes

Atlanta Docufest presents awards in various categories. Past awards include:

Best Documentary Feature
Best Comedy Documentary Feature
Best Dramatic Documentary Feature
Best Social - Issue Documentary Feature
Best Art Documentary Feature
Best Foreign Documentary Feature
Best Political Documentary Feature
Best Environmental Documentary Feature
Best Local Documentary Feature
Audience Choice Documentary Feature
Judges Choice Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Featurette
Best Documentary Short
Best Experimental Documentary Short
Best Sports Documentary Short
Best Foreign Documentary Short
Best Dramatic Documentary Short
Best Art Documentary Short
Audience Choice Documentary Short
Best Director

Rules & Terms

FORMATS OF SUBMISSIONS COPIES
​We only accept online screeners.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Programming decisions are made by the festival directors and our selection committee. If accepted, we will notify filmmakers by email. After acceptance, the exhibition format will need to be in our office two weeks before the festival. We do not pay rental fees for submitted work that is programmed.

CONFIRMATION OF ENTRY
Feel free to email us if you would like confirmation of entry, or check your FilmFreeway account page.

19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Susan Morgan Cooper

    Having just returned from screening my film Fatal Distraction at the Atlanta DocuFest, I had to write a review. What a terrific film festival!! The Synchronicity Theatre is an amazing state of the art venue. The staff were very professional, making sure that the sound and projection of my film was perfect. They handled my Q&A exactly the way I had requested, and the moderator's questions were intelligent and incisive. Every step of the process from submission to screening, the staff were pleasant and extremely helpful. My film had a lot of press coverage and the festival was flexible and accommodating around that. Eric Panter was amazing!! This team of people truly cares about promoting the filmmakers and their films!!

    November 2020
    Helpful
  • Jeremy Cournyea

    Due to COVID and a variety of other reasons I couldn't attend the event. However the communication and hospitality I received from Atlanta Docufest was superb. The quality of films in the lineup is second to none, and I encourage those seeking a documentary specific festival to submit.

    November 2020
    Helpful
  • Aaron Hosé

    I'm happy to have screened twice at Atlanta Docufest. Too bad I wasn't able to attend either year, but I look forward to submitting again for my next project. It's worth the entry fee. Communication from festival staff was friendly and on point.

    November 2019
    Helpful
  • torben schou

    This is a great festival. Intimate. Relevant. Friendly. Go there if You want to have a good time with lots of memorable visual moments.

    November 2019
    Helpful
  • Ariana Feiner

    Atlanta Docufest was an amazing film festival! Cameron and Lauren were so kind, helpful, and accommodating. I am thrilled to receive the award for Best Young Director for my documentary short film, A Story of Courage! Thank you so much not only for recognizing my journey, but also for honoring the strength of all people fighting visible and invisible disabilities!

    November 2019
    Helpful