Atlanta Underground Film Festival
AUFF
The underground isn’t a place. It’s a mindset. The 23rd Annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival takes place August 7 to 9, 2026 at Limelight Theater and celebrates the raw, the rebellious, and the films that refuse to follow the rules.
AUFF is a home for films that push boundaries, break rules, and dig deeper than the mainstream ever will. We shine a light on filmmakers who create without compromise and challenge what film can be. These are the stories that live outside the mainstream and demand to be seen.
Why Attend AUFF:
Unfiltered Cinema
Experience films you won’t find anywhere else. From surreal shorts to daring features, every selection is chosen for its originality and impact. This is where underground film thrives.
Meet the Makers
Get face-to-face with the filmmakers, actors, and creatives behind the work. AUFF creates space for meaningful connections, conversation, and community.
Celebration, Not Just Ceremony
Yes, there’s a red carpet. But it’s not about glamor. It’s about honoring independent artists and celebrating the courage it takes to tell a different kind of story.
After-Parties and Special Events
Stick around after the screenings for mixers, music, and meetups with fellow indie film lovers. Every night at AUFF is a chance to connect and unwind.
A Community That Gets It
Join filmmakers, cinephiles, and creators who are passionate about storytelling that pushes boundaries and explores the unknown. AUFF is more than a festival. It’s a movement.
Whether you’re a filmmaker looking for a platform that truly values independence or an audience member searching for something authentic and off the radar, AUFF delivers a film experience that dares to be different.
Film Festival Entries
Submit your work now and be part of a festival that champions creative vision and truly independent cinema.
Atlanta Underground Film Fest celebrates indie filmmakers
AUFF Awards
Best Feature Film
Awarded to a feature that captures the raw, fearless spirit of underground cinema.
Best Short Film
Given to a short that stands out with a clear voice and original style.
Best Director
For a filmmaker whose direction brings the film to life in a memorable way.
AUFF Spirit Award
For the film that best reflects the DIY energy and risk-taking at the heart of underground film.
Underground Visionary
For a filmmaker with a strong voice and fresh perspective we want to see more of.
Mindbender
For the film that pushes boundaries and takes the audience somewhere strange or unexpected.
Best Emerging Filmmaker
Awarded to a new filmmaker whose work shows real promise and a strong point of view.
Best Local Short Film
For a standout short made in Georgia or by a Georgia-based filmmaker.
Best Local Feature Film
For a standout feature made in Georgia or by a Georgia-based filmmaker.
Audience Award (short and feature)
Picked by the crowd. The film that hit hardest with our audience.
Jury Award (short and feature)
Chosen by the festival jury, this award goes to a film that stood out for its craft, vision, or impact. Something that truly deserves recognition.
Winners in each category will receive a custom crystal trophy to mark their achievement.
Join us for all of our Atlanta Film Festivals
