Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival winner Carrie Anne Hunt

Why Submit Your Film

Spotlight is a focused, community-driven event where your work gets real attention, an engaged audience, and a fair shot at meaningful year-end awards.

2026 Film Submissions

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival honors Catherine Dyer

The Spotlight Experience

The Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival is not a typical festival. It’s the season finale. We bring together the strongest short films of the year for a focused event built around live screenings, celebration, and awards. Selected films screen in front of a live audience and are considered for top honors in a setting that feels more like a year-end showcase than a traditional competition.

2025 Schedule

Best Student Short Award at Spotlight Film Festival

Awards

Spotlight presents a focused set of end-of-year awards that highlight standout work from the festival circuit. Films compete for honors including Film of the Year, Best Director, Audience Choice, and key genre and craft categories. See the 2025 Winners

View the 2025 Winners

Baby Norman and Ashley Crane at Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival

Why Attend the Event

Spotlight offers a relaxed weekend of screenings, filmmaker meetups and an awards event that brings together some of the year’s strongest short films. It’s a chance to connect, watch great work and close out the season with people who understand the journey.

View the Nominees

What the Spotlight Filmmakers Are Saying:

“A pleasure screening with a variety of great films. The team are kind, dedicated, and curate a wonderful networking and filmgoing experience. We couldn’t think of a better way to end the year and our festival run.”
— Heebie-Jeebies Pictures

“Our short film was included in their Best of the Year lineup and we were absolutely stoked to take home Best Horror Short. A great way to shine a light on films from all their festivals. The screenings were full and well-received.”
— Christopher Rucinski

“Communication was impeccable and they went out of their way to lift me up with enthusiasm and encouraging words. I felt so welcomed and grateful to be a part of their community.”
— August Falcon

“A fantastic experience at this end-of-year festival. It showcased the best in class of several short film genres. The calibre of submissions felt very high, and the programming was organized and smooth.”
— David F. Mewa

“ Indie Film Makers...this is your festival. The diversity of high-quality films and the networking events were uplifting and inspiring. Communication before and during the festival was prime, and the team was extremely kind and professional.”
— James Jones

“These folks are top tier. Extremely kind and welcoming from start to finish, with a genuine appreciation for filmmakers. I can’t recommend them highly enough.”
— Ashley Crane

“The Atlanta Film Series has been a class act on the festival circuit. Being selected was a real honor, and their communication throughout was excellent.”
— Aaron Garcia

“A wonderful and welcoming showcase that made everyone feel important. I look forward to coming back again.”
— Chris Kelly

“I’m grateful for these wonderfully supportive organizers. I was thrilled to have my work screened.”
— Michèle Kaye

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival - January 9 at 7 Stages

Submit your short film

Atlanta Spotlight

Why Submit Your Film

The Spotlight Experience

Awards

Why Attend the Event

What the Spotlight Filmmakers Are Saying:

Photos from the Spotlight

Festival Venue

7 Stages Theatre

Address

Send Message

Subscribe

Spotlight Film Festival Awards on IMDB

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival - January 9 at 7 Stages

Submit your short film

Atlanta Spotlight

Why Submit Your Film

The Spotlight Experience

Awards

Why Attend the Event

What the Spotlight Filmmakers Are Saying:

Photos from the Spotlight

Festival Venue

7 Stages Theatre

Address

Send Message

Subscribe

Follow on IG for updates! @atlantafilmseries

Spotlight Film Festival Awards on IMDB

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