14 Day Film Challenge

Are you ready to push your creativity and storytelling to the limit? Introducing the 14-day Film Challenge, a high-stakes competition for the boldest filmmakers, hosted by the Atlanta Film Series! 

In this unique series of competitions, filmmakers will have just fourteen days to conceptualize, shoot, and edit original short films for one of our renowned events—Atlanta Docufest, Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival, Atlanta Shortsfest, Atlanta Underground Film Festival, and Atlanta Horror Film Festival.

Each competition offers a platform for different genres and styles, challenging participants to bring fresh perspectives, raw talent, and boundary-pushing storytelling to the screen:

  •   Atlanta Docufest 14-day Film Challenge: Craft a compelling documentary that sheds light on real people, places, or events, bringing stories of human experience to life with depth and authenticity.

  •   Atlanta Micro Short Film Festival 14-day Film Challenge: Deliver a complete narrative in under five minutes, showing off precision, creativity, and impact in an ultra-condensed form.

  •   Atlanta Shortsfest 14-day Film Challenge: Unleash your storytelling skills in short-form cinema, crafting a narrative that captivates audiences and reveals your unique voice in under 20 minutes.

  •   Atlanta Underground Film Festival 14-day Film Challenge: Dive into the unconventional and explore underground, experimental, or subversive themes that disrupt norms and push artistic boundaries.

  •   Atlanta HorrorFest 14-day Film Challenge: Evoke spine-chilling suspense and terror with a horror short that leaves a lasting mark and thrills the audience.

At each competition, entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts and film lovers, with top films receiving awards, screenings at Atlanta Film Series festivals, and industry exposure through the Atlanta Film Series. 

For filmmakers ready to test their limits, the 14-day Filmmaker Challenge offers an intense yet rewarding journey—show us your vision and bring your best story to the screen!

Eligibility

  • Open to filmmakers worldwide, but at least one team member must be over 18 years old.

  • Films must be original and created specifically for this competition.

Film Length

  • Maximum duration is different for each event. Details will be sent to you.

Theme

• A specific theme, genre, or prop will be assigned on the start date to be creatively integrated into each film. The assigned element(s) must be visibly or conceptually central to the film.

Submission Format

  • Films must be submitted in HD (1920x1080 resolution).

  • Accepted formats: .mp4 or .mov with H.264 codec.

  • File size should not exceed 5 GB.

Production Guidelines

  • Timeline: All filming, editing, and post-production must occur within the 14-day timeframe.

  • Copyright: Only original or royalty-free materials (music, images, etc.) may be used unless written permission is obtained. Proof of rights may be requested.

  • Language: Films in languages ​​other than English must include English subtitles.

  • Credits: Must include the names of all major cast and crew, but credits should not exceed 15 seconds.

Prohibited Content

  • Films containing hate speech or discriminatory content will be disqualified from screening.

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity & Originality: How innovative is the concept and execution?

  • Storytelling: Does the film tell a compelling and clear story within the time limit?

  • Production Quality: Evaluated based on cinematography, sound, editing, and overall polish.

  • Adherence to Theme: How well does the film incorporate the assigned theme or elements?

Awards

  • Best Film

  • Best Director

  • Best Cinematography

  • Audience Choice Award

Winners from each competition will screen in one or more Atlanta Film Series festivals and receive four VIP All Access Passes good for all events. 

Submission Process

  • Register below and we will send you all info before the start date.

Rights & Usage

By submitting a film, participants grant the Atlanta Film Series permission to screen their film at the festival event(s) and to use clips or images for promotional purposes. All rights to the original work remain with the creators.

Note: Any violation of the rules may result in disqualification.

Refund Policy

  • Fees are non-refundable unless the screening is canceled.

  • If a team is unable to participate after registration, fees may be credited toward future festival events on a case-by-case basis.