Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival is built for filmmakers who can do more with less time.

Every film in the lineup runs under six minutes, creating a fast moving showcase where ideas hit the screen back to back with no filler. Comedy, horror, animation, documentary, experimental, sci fi, underground work, and films that completely break the rules all have a place here.

What makes ATL Micro Short different is the energy in the room. Audiences move 100+ films in a single day, discovering new filmmakers, strange ideas, unexpected stories, and films that stay with you long after the credits roll. The night ends with an unforgettable after party where filmmakers and audiences take over Little Five Points and keep the conversation going into the early hours.

The festival takes place July 11, 2026 at 7 Stages. Filmmakers from around the country join us for live screenings, audience reactions, networking, Q&As, and awards.

If your film is short, sharp, weird, emotional, funny, experimental, chaotic, or impossible to categorize, this is the festival for it.

Final deadline May 31.

Submit now and join one of the Southeast’s most unique showcases for ultra short filmmaking.

Awards & Prizes

Best Micro Short
The festival's top award, presented to the best film overall.

Best Director
Outstanding direction and creative vision.

Best Local Film
Presented to the top film from Georgia.

Best Concept
For the most original idea.

Impact Award
For the film that stayed with us long after it ended.

Innovative Vision Award
Recognizing creative risks and fresh approaches to filmmaking.

Emerging Filmmaker Award
Presented to a filmmaker showing exceptional promise.

Audience Choice Award
Voted on by the audience.

Jury Award
Selected by the festival jury.

All award winners receive a custom crystal trophy at our awards ceremony held Saturday, July 11 at 11:59 PM

Rules & Terms

All films must have a running time of 6 minutes or less, not including credits.

If your project runs a little over, that’s okay. We accept films up to 7 minutes total to allow time for credits.

While not required, we recommend keeping credits under 30 seconds to maintain pacing and audience engagement. If selected and we feel the credits are too long for the film’s overall length, we may request a shortened version.

All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway with a secure online screener.

Films that have been published online (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) are eligible.

We also welcome films that have premiered at other festivals.

You will be notified through FilmFreeway. Please respond promptly.

Final screening assets must be submitted at least two weeks before the festival.

26 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hunter Wayne

    This festival is a good reminder to NEVER sleep on the smaller ones. Going to film fests is hard for me usually because people are far too clicky and networky, but Atlanta Film Series gives space for real bonds to happen. Real people putting on a real event that have a good filter for keeping the crap out

    July 2026
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  • Marlon Royal Reid

    There was a death in the family and I could not attend but my team who did attend had a good time and was delighted by the staff's help. Barring nothing tragic, I will submit my next project and do my best attend in person for myself next year.

    July 2026
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  • Veronique Vanblaere

    We had an amazing time at the Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival: the team was over the top kind to us and their excellent organization will make us apply again with our next project. We can’t thank them enough for this stellar experience, especially after Big Little Love won the Jury award for at its world premiere screening!

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Srdjan Mitrović Hitch

    I had a fantastic experience with the Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival. The team is incredibly supportive of independent filmmakers, and they really put effort into promoting the selected films on social media. They treated my project 'CTRL+Z: Stuck in the Edit' with great care and respect. Highly recommended for any filmmaker looking for a festival that actually cares about the work you do!

    July 2026
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  • Lauren Neal

    This is a FANTASTIC festival. 120 films of all styles, levels, etc., in one venue. My shorts block “Feelings Were Made” in particular featured a wide array of great films (animation, narrative, doc, super short…). Thank you for gracing my experimental/doc short “hi, Papa” with the Impact Award and for making space for films that are a little off the beaten path.

    July 2026
    Helpful