Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival– Recognizing Excellence in Indie Filmmaking

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival

The Event

The Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival is not a typical film festival. We present the Best of the Year Showcase, where selected films compete for top honors in front of a live audience. Every film chosen is automatically nominated for an award in its category.

We welcome films that have already had a successful festival run, as well as new discoveries ready to shine. Our goal is to highlight the very best short films of the year and celebrate the filmmakers who made them.

Categories include: Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Horror, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Local Film, Audience Choice, and more.

What you can expect if selected:
Your film screened in Atlanta at our year-end showcase
Automatic nomination for an award in your category
A chance to win our crystal Spotlight trophy
Networking with fellow filmmakers and a live audience experience

View 2025 Nominees

How Films Are Judged

All submissions are reviewed by a panel of experienced film professionals, including:

Independent filmmakers
Festival programmers
Industry consultants
Critics and past award winners

Films are judged on originality, storytelling, emotional impact, direction, editing, pacing, cinematography, sound, and overall artistic merit.

Atlanta Spotlight Film Festival Awards

Join us Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Limelight Theater in Atlanta