The North Atlanta Film Festival is a filmmaker-focused celebration of short-form storytelling held inside one of the Southeast's most unique creative environments.

Hosted at You42 Studios in Roswell, Georgia, the festival takes place within a 50,000-square-foot working production facility featuring sound stages, production sets, creator spaces, podcast studios, and immersive content creation environments. Rather than simply attending a screening, filmmakers and audiences experience a festival surrounded by the same creative spaces where content is produced every day.

The festival showcases a curated selection of student and independent films from across Metro Atlanta, the Southeast, and beyond. Official selections are screened in The Block Theater, You42 Studios' professional screening venue, giving filmmakers the opportunity to experience their work with a live audience in a true theatrical setting.

What makes the North Atlanta Film Festival different is the experience surrounding the screenings. Between film blocks, attendees can connect with fellow filmmakers, explore production spaces throughout You42 Studios, engage with creative professionals, and build relationships within a growing community of storytellers.

Selected filmmakers are invited to attend the Filmmaker Welcome Mixer on Friday evening, an exclusive gathering designed to encourage conversation, collaboration, and networking before festival day begins. The public festival takes place on Saturday and features curated screening blocks, filmmaker engagement opportunities, audience voting, and a live awards ceremony.

The festival is designed as an in-person experience where films are not only screened, but shared. Filmmakers are encouraged to attend, participate in discussions, connect with audiences, and experience their work alongside fellow creators who share a passion for storytelling.

Filmmakers with official selections receive:

• Theatrical screening in The Block Theater

• Two complimentary festival passes

• Access to the Filmmaker Welcome Mixer

• Networking opportunities with fellow filmmakers and creative professionals

• Access to the creative spaces and production environments throughout You42 Studios

The North Atlanta Film Festival is built around a simple idea: great films deserve more than a screening slot. They deserve an audience, a community, and a place where new creative opportunities can begin.

Whether you're an emerging student filmmaker or an experienced independent creator, we invite you to share your work, connect with fellow storytellers, and experience a film festival unlike any other in North Atlanta.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

The North Atlanta Film Festival recognizes exceptional filmmaking across all festival categories. Awards are presented to outstanding films selected by the festival jury, as well as audience-voted selections.

Prize packages may include:

Official North Atlanta Film Festival Award Trophy
Private Screening Package at You42 Studios' Block Theater
You42 Studios Studio Time Packages
Production Services and Creative Resources
Featured Filmmaker Spotlight on You42.com
Promotion across You42 Studios social media channels
Sponsor-provided prizes and giveaways
Additional in-kind prizes from festival partners and sponsors

Prize packages may vary by award category and are subject to change based on sponsor participation and festival partnerships.

Official Selection Benefits

All films selected for screening will receive:

Official Selection Laurel
Public screening during the North Atlanta Film Festival
Inclusion in festival marketing and promotional materials
Access to filmmaker networking opportunities
Invitations to festival filmmaker events and mixers
Opportunities to connect with fellow creators, industry professionals, and the You42 Studios community

Rules & Terms

# Rules & Terms

These Rules and Terms govern the submission of films (the "Film") to the North Atlanta Film Festival (the "Festival"). Submission of a Film constitutes acceptance of all rules outlined below.

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# I. General Eligibility

## Eligible Films

The Festival is open to filmmakers of all experience levels.

Submissions must be narrative or documentary short films with a maximum runtime of 40 minutes, including credits.

The Festival welcomes submissions from:

* Student filmmakers
* Independent filmmakers
* Emerging filmmakers
* Established filmmakers

The Festival reserves the right to determine final eligibility.

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## Completion Date

Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

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## Premiere Status

Premiere status is not required.

Films may have screened previously, participated in other festivals, and/or be publicly available online.

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## Geographic Eligibility

The Festival accepts submissions from filmmakers worldwide.

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# II. Student Eligibility

Student status is not required for submission.

To be considered for student-specific recognition, the filmmaker must have been enrolled in high school, college, university, or another accredited educational program during the production of the Film.

Proof of enrollment may be requested.

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# III. Language Requirements

Films containing non-English dialogue must include English subtitles.

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# IV. Submission Process

## Submission Platform

All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.

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## Submission Materials

Entrants are responsible for ensuring that all submitted materials are complete, accurate, and accessible.

The Festival is not responsible for corrupted files, inaccessible links, incomplete uploads, or technical issues originating from the submitter.

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## Revisions

Updated versions may be uploaded prior to the submission deadline.

Once judging and programming decisions have begun, the Festival is not obligated to review replacement files.

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## Deadlines

All submissions must be completed and paid in full prior to the applicable submission deadline listed on FilmFreeway.

Late or incomplete submissions may be disqualified.

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# V. Copyright & Rights

The submitter must hold all necessary rights to the Film and all materials contained within it.

This includes, but is not limited to:

* Music
* Sound recordings
* Archival footage
* Images
* Trademarks and logos
* Talent releases
* Location permissions

The submitter assumes full responsibility for any copyright, licensing, or legal claims arising from the Film.

The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any Film found to contain unauthorized or infringing material.

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# VI. Submission Fees

Submission fees are listed on FilmFreeway and are non-refundable.

Student discounts or fee waivers may be offered at the Festival's discretion.

Failure to submit payment may result in disqualification.

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# VII. Selection & Notification

All submissions are reviewed by a selection committee appointed by the Festival.

Selection decisions are final.

The Festival is not obligated to provide judging notes, scores, feedback, or explanations regarding programming decisions.

Applicants are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information through FilmFreeway.

Official selection notifications will be delivered through FilmFreeway.

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# VIII. Exhibition & Programming

Accepted Films will be screened as part of the Festival's official programming.

The Festival reserves the right to determine:

* Screening blocks
* Screening order
* Screening dates and times
* Programming groupings

All programming decisions are final.

Selected filmmakers may be invited to participate in filmmaker discussions, networking activities, interviews, promotional opportunities, or other Festival-related events.

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# IX. Awards

Officially selected Films may be eligible for Festival awards and prizes.

Award categories, eligibility requirements, prizes, and judging criteria are determined solely by the Festival and may be modified at any time.

All award decisions are final.

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# X. Promotional Use

By submitting a Film, the submitter grants the Festival permission to use approved materials for promotional purposes.

These materials may include:

* Film title
* Poster artwork
* Stills
* Trailer excerpts
* Press materials
* Filmmaker biographies

Such materials may be used in Festival marketing, social media, websites, press releases, event programs, and related promotional materials.

Ownership of the Film remains with the filmmaker.

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# XI. General Conditions

The Festival reserves the right to amend these Rules and Terms, modify programming, adjust scheduling, change venues, or make other operational changes as necessary.

The Festival reserves the right to decline or remove any submission at its discretion.

Submission to the North Atlanta Film Festival constitutes full acceptance of these Rules and Terms.