AFI FEST 2023 is scheduled for October 25-29th with in-person screenings and events in Los Angeles, CA showcasing transformative stories from groundbreaking artists. AFI FEST is the longest-running international film festival in Los Angeles.

Each fall, AFI FEST presents the year's most significant films. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community. Featuring international work from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of films from the great masters, tributes and red-carpet gala premieres, AFI FEST brings the very best of world cinema to the city of Los Angeles, the film capital of the world. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.

In 2022, AFI FEST presented 125 films from 31 countries - 53% directed by women – with in-person screenings in the heart of Hollywood and select virtual screenings available for a national audience.

Program highlights from AFI FEST 2022 include the Opening Night World Premiere of SELENA GOMEZ: MY MIND AND ME and the US Premiere of Steven Spielberg’s THE FABELMANS, Additional Red Carpet Premieres include BARDO, FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS, directed by Academy Award®-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu; the U.S. Premiere of GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO, directed by Academy Award®-winning director Guillermo del Toro and Emmy Award® winner Mark Gustafson; LIVING, directed by Oliver Hermanus; SHE SAID, directed by Emmy Award®-winning director Maria Schrader; and THE SON, directed by Academy Award® winner Florian Zeller. Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay served as Guest Artistic Director, showcasing three independent films amplifying the voices of women directors.

AFI FEST winners have consistently been nominated for Academy Awards®, Emmy Awards® and other major recognitions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.

The Grand Jury Award winners for Live Action and Animated Short will be eligible for the 2023 Best Live Action Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short Academy Awards®.

AFI FEST is also a BAFTA qualifying festival for the British Short Film category.

*AFI FEST will not be accepting submissions in the features categories.

* Films under 40 minutes are considered Short Films. Films 40 minutes or longer are considered Feature Films.

* To be eligible for consideration, all films must have been completed on or after November 1, 2022.

* If the submission is in a language other than English; the screener that is submitted must include English subtitles.

* For short films, there is no regional premiere requirement. Short films are eligible to apply regardless of television broadcast history and online availability.

* We welcome submissions via the FilmFreeway secure online screener system only.

* More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form and fee.

* Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for entry if the final cut will be available by August 27, 2023. However, please be aware that our programming department may not be able to re-screen your film if you send a final cut after submitting a rough cut. To avoid confusion throughout the screening review process, it is preferable that you only submit ONE version of your film, preferably the final version.

* Previously declined submissions will not be accepted unless the project has undergone significant content changes (60% or more) and meets all other submission requirements. Permission to re-apply is required. Please email [email protected].

* Promotional, instructional or industrial films, and raw documentation of performances are not eligible.

* The entry fee is non-refundable.

* We offer a limited amount of fee waivers each year for AFI Conservatory fellows and AFI FESTIVALS alumni. If you are a member of one of these groups, you can write to [email protected] to request a fee waiver before the final deadline. AFI Conservatory fellows, please include your full name, year of graduation and discipline. AFI FESTIVALS alumni, please include the festival you participated in (AFI FEST or AFI DOCS), your previous film title, your role on that film and the year that it was screened at the festival. We are unable to offer any other entry fee waivers at this time.

*Your submission will not be complete until you submit a secure online screener.

*All filmmakers will be notified of their status by September 27, 2023 via the submission contact email address. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing [email protected].

*Due to the number of submissions, AFI FEST cannot provide feedback on any entries.

*All film entries selected for the festival grant AFI FEST the rights to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.

*All films submitted must be free from any legal disputes and the filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and exhibition.

*If your submission is selected to screen in the festival, you will need to provide the following:

• A DCP or final film file upload by the required deadline as specified through contact with our print traffic team. Each filmmaker is responsible for any delivery costs of DCP, including any applicable customs fees. AFI FEST only accommodates return shipping costs following the festival.

• Press kits, trailers, promotional materials and additional screeners for preview

Note: AFI FEST reserves the right to change any of this information (including festival dates, venues, events, awards and eligibility requirements) without further notice.

TERMS OF ENTRY
You hereby grant AFI FEST 2023 (“festival”) all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the submitted film at the 2023 festival. You represent that such exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights whatsoever (including copyright, trademark, musical or contract right) of any person or entity. You further represent that you are authorized to submit the submitted film and, if selected, you will deliver the DCP or film file to the festival office no later than October 11, 2023 Additionally, you indemnify the festival from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and attorney's fee arising out of or in connection with third parties with regards to the screening of said film. Further, you hereby agree that you have read and agree to the General Rules and Regulations for submissions to AFI FEST 2023.