Atlanta Underground Film Festival - AUFF

Atlanta Underground Film Festival
August 6 - 9, 2026. Held at 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta 

Atlanta Underground Film Festival (AUFF) is one of the longest running underground film festivals in the United States, founded in 2004 and held each August in Atlanta, Georgia. The 23rd Annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival takes place August 6 - 9, 2026.

AUFF has always been a home for films that live outside the mainstream and for filmmakers who create work their own way. The idea has never changed. Show independent films that push boundaries, challenge form, or explore stories the wider industry ignores. Some films are strange, some are rough around the edges, and some hit harder than you expect. That mix is what makes AUFF feel real. It’s the kind of festival where you discover something you weren’t looking for, then spend the rest of the night talking about it.

Filmmakers and audiences stick around after the screenings to talk, hang out, and compare notes. The conversations spill into the lobby, onto the sidewalk, and into the after-parties. It’s a relaxed space where people who care about underground film actually meet each other. No pretense. Just film and community.

AUFF isn’t about polish or glamor. It’s about independence. It’s about filmmakers who make work because they need to say something, not because they’re chasing trends. If you want a film festival in Atlanta that stays true to underground filmmaking and still screens everything live on a big screen, AUFF keeps that tradition going every year.  AUFF is part of the Atlanta Film Series in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Best Feature Film
Awarded to the outstanding feature film of the festival.

Best Short Film
Awarded to the outstanding short film of the festival.

Best Documentary
Presented to the documentary that stands out for its storytelling, insight, and craft.

Best Director - Feature
Presented to the director with the strongest vision and execution in a feature film.

Best Director - Short
Presented to the director with the strongest vision and execution in a short film.

Innovation Award
Presented to the film that shows exceptional creativity in storytelling or filmmaking.

Impact Award
Presented to the film that leaves the strongest lasting impression.

Best Emerging Filmmaker
Awarded to a new filmmaker whose work shows exceptional promise.

Best Local Feature Film
Presented to the outstanding feature made in Georgia or by a Georgia based filmmaker.

Best Local Short Film
Presented to the outstanding short made in Georgia or by a Georgia based filmmaker.

Audience Award
Chosen by the audience as their favorite film of the festival.

Jury Award
Chosen by the festival jury to recognize exceptional achievement in filmmaking.

Winners in each category will receive a custom crystal trophy to mark their achievement.