Get Featured. Get Promoted. Join the Community.

Spotlight Film Awards is a year-round film discovery and awards program produced by FilmFestivals.tv and curated by the Atlanta Film Series.

We created Spotlight to help independent films reach audiences beyond a single screening and give filmmakers a place to stay connected throughout the year.

Selected films are featured on FilmFestivals.tv through curated showcases, filmmaker profiles, trailers, interviews, and Spotlight features. Filmmakers become part of a growing community where audiences can continue discovering their work long after a festival weekend ends.

Selected filmmakers receive Official Selection recognition, a filmmaker profile on the FilmFestivals.tv Spotlight Hub, promotion through FilmFestivals.tv, Atlanta Film Series, social media, and our email network, and the opportunity to participate in limited-run online showcases.

Outstanding selections may also be featured in Spotlight recommendations, filmmaker spotlights, and special showcases throughout the year.

At the end of the year, top Spotlight selections become nominees for our annual Spotlight Awards, where jury awards, audience awards, and custom crystal trophies are presented in Atlanta.

We welcome narrative, documentary, horror, animation, experimental, music videos, web series, micro shorts, vertical films, AI projects, and emerging forms of storytelling.

If you're looking for more than a one-time screening, Spotlight was built for you.

Submit your film for consideration and become part of the FilmFestivals.tv community.

Awards & Prizes

Spotlight Grand Jury Award
Audience Choice Award
Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Horror Film
Best Animation
Best Experimental Film
Best Director
Emerging Filmmaker Award
Innovative Storytelling Award
More TBA

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

Your Film. Your Rights.

Filmmakers retain all ownership and rights to their work. Participation in Spotlight Film Awards, FilmFestivals.tv, and FestFlix showcases is non-exclusive. Films remain the property of their creators and may continue to pursue distribution, exhibition, and other opportunities at any time.

• Films from all countries are welcome.

• All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

• Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

• Multiple entries are allowed. Each entry requires a separate submission fee.

• There are no premiere requirements.

• Entrants must own or have permission to use all copyrighted material included in their film.

• Selected films may receive a dedicated film page on FilmFestivals.tv featuring film information, credits, trailer links, stills, and filmmaker promotional links.

• Selected films may be invited to participate in curated FestFlix streaming showcases. Participation is optional.

• Filmmakers grant Spotlight Film Awards permission to use trailers, stills, posters, film information, and excerpts for promotional purposes.

• Jury and programming decisions are final.

• Outstanding films may be nominated for Spotlight Awards and invited to the annual Spotlight Awards Ceremony in Atlanta.

Thank you for submitting your work. We look forward to watching your film.
142 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Petro Aleksowski

    I recommend submitting films to this festival to every filmmaker and producer. The contact with the organizers is excellent and it's a wonderful experience when a film qualifies.

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • David Weiss

    This was truly one of the best festivals we’ve attended. The team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and valued. Kelsey, Amy, and Eric run an incredibly well-organized event, creating a smooth experience with plenty of opportunities to connect and network. We had an amazing time!

    December 2025
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  • irving perdomo

    I appreciate you guys so much!!🙏🏽

    June 2025
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  • JM Balbuena

    Thank you for the selection! I highly recommend this festival.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Elite Talent Sports Management

    Spotlight Documentary Film Awards, thank you for such an beautiful experience, and the opportunity to be featured as a winning participant.

    February 2025
    Helpful