Festival Schedule
Thursday, Aug 27, 2026
Thursday Registration - Ticket Office Opens
Our official Ticket Office and Registration Desk are located inside The Pharmacy, the Morton Theatre’s dedicated reception hall space.
Local Lens - Local Shorts @ CINÉ
Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
World Class Animation 1 - Animated Shorts
Witness some of the latest and greatest animated shorts around the world
Kickoff event - Red Carpet & Happy Hour (Open to the public from 8-9pm)
Join us in the Ciné lobby and Bar-Cafe as we kick off the 3rd Annual Athens Film Festival with a happy hour celebration.
Documentary Shorts
Witness some of the latest and greatest documentary shorts from around the world.
World Cinema Showcase - Top Narrative Shorts
Witness some of the latest and greatest short films around the world.
Global Flickers - Top Narrative Shorts
Witness the latest and greatest short films from around the globe.
Opening Night World Premiere - Once Upon a Time In Macon
The World Premiere of Once Upon a Time in Macon, followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Opening Night Party - Sponsored by Live Wire Athens
Join filmmakers and moviegoers. Complimentary food and drink available to All-access passholders.
Laugh Your Ath Off Comedy Shorts 1 - Sponsored by Leslie Jones Law
Comedy short films from around the world.
World Class Animation 2 - Animated Shorts
Witness some of the latest and greatest animated shorts around the world
Local Lens - Local Shorts @ CINÉ
World Cinema Showcase - Top Narrative Shorts
World Class Animation 1 - Animated Shorts
Documentary Shorts
Global Flickers - Top Narrative Shorts
World Class Animation 2 - Animated Shorts
Kickoff event - Red Carpet & Happy Hour (Open to the public from 8-9pm)
Opening Night World Premiere - Once Upon a Time In Macon
Opening Night Party - Sponsored by Live Wire Athens
Laugh Your Ath Off Comedy Shorts 1 - Sponsored by Leslie Jones Law
Friday, Aug 28, 2026
Friday Registration - Ticket Office Opens
Our official Ticket Office and Registration Desk are located inside The Pharmacy, the Morton Theatre’s dedicated reception hall space.
Workshop - Art of Short Filmmaking w/ Oscar-winning producer Damon Russell
Workshop
Reel Peaches Georgia Shorts 1 - Sponsored by Athens Film Office
Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Golden Hour Networking Sponsored by Creature Comforts
Meet filmmakers and industry professionals at one of our sponsored venues, Creature Comforts. ONE complimentary drink ticket for all-access passholders.
Film Scoring Workshop - The Director/Composer Relationship
Led by composer, speaker and educator Dr. Trinity Vélez-Justo, Attendees will learn the fundamentals of the composer’s process as well as industry practices of working with and as a film composer. g
World Class Animation 3 - Animated Shorts
Witness some of the latest and greatest animated shorts around the world
Best in the Globe 1 - Top Narrative Shorts
Witness the latest and greatest short films from around the globe. Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Feature Documentary - Unheard Voices: A Mother's Quest for Freedom
Unheard Voices is a documentary chronicling the journey of mothers with incarcerated children. Screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers Tosha Smith-Mills and Christopher Horne.
Women in Film - Sponsored by Thunder Studio
A diverse catalog of films from around the world written, directed and produced by women.
Best in the Globe 2 - Top Narrative Shorts
Witness the latest and greatest short films from around the globe. Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Ice, Grit & Great Outdoors - Sports & Exploration Shorts, Sponsored by The Rock Lobsters
FREE and open to the public! Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Feature Selection - My Turn
After dying in a violent clash, teen Lang wakes in his sister’s body, forcing both siblings to fight over identity, guilt, and one shared life.
Widescreen Panic 1 - Horror Shorts Block Sponsored by The Wild Rumpus
Witness the latest and greatest horror short films from around the world. Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers. Film screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Feature Selection - Frogtown
Film screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers
Afterglow Party @ Paloma Park
Join filmmakers and moviegoers at Paloma Park to end the night. FREE and open to the public!
Music Video Showcase Sponsored by JOKERJOKERtv
Witness the latest and greatest music videos from around the globe. FREE and open to the public!
World Class Animation 3 - Animated Shorts
Women in Film - Sponsored by Thunder Studio
Widescreen Panic 1 - Horror Shorts Block Sponsored by The Wild Rumpus
Workshop - Art of Short Filmmaking w/ Oscar-winning producer Damon Russell
Reel Peaches Georgia Shorts 1 - Sponsored by Athens Film Office
Golden Hour Networking Sponsored by Creature Comforts
Feature Documentary - Unheard Voices: A Mother's Quest for Freedom
Best in the Globe 1 - Top Narrative Shorts
Best in the Globe 2 - Top Narrative Shorts
Feature Selection - Frogtown
Ice, Grit & Great Outdoors - Sports & Exploration Shorts, Sponsored by The Rock Lobsters
Music Video Showcase Sponsored by JOKERJOKERtv
Saturday, Aug 29, 2026
Pitchfest Presented by The Lightroom–ATH (Invite Only!)
Pitchfest at The Lightroom–ATH invites filmmakers to pitch their projects live to industry pros—open to both participants and attendees ready to watch the action unfold. Invite Only!
Saturday Morning Cartoons - Animation Shorts
A completely family-friendly animated shorts screening that is free and open to the public! Bring the whole family for fun stories on the big screen, followed by free cereal after the show.
Saturday Registration - Ticket Office Opens
Our official Ticket Office and Registration Desk are located inside The Pharmacy, the Morton Theatre’s dedicated reception hall space.
Fellowship of the Screen: Stories United by Cinema
A selection of international short films exploring how movies connect, inspire, and shape our lives — from passionate cinephiles to communities built around film, these stories celebrate cinema as a universal language. Stay after the screening for The Audience Strikes Back: Reclaiming the Screen, a panel discussion with filmmakers and film lovers about the future of cinema and the evolving relationship between audiences and the movies they love.
Music Docs, Featuring the World Premiere of "Changes: The Story of Sugar"
A curated lineup of music documentary shorts featuring the World Premiere of Changes: The Story of Sugar, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmakers and members of Sugar!
Panel - The Audience Strikes Back: Reclaiming the Screen (Hosted by Behind the Slate)
Hosted by Aaron Strand (Behind the Slate Podcast, writer/director of Withdrawal), this unfiltered panel skips the corporate PR talk and puts everyday moviegoers in the spotlight. Join us for an engaging, audience-led conversation about the modern viewer experience, the magic of the dark room, and why communal cinema still matters.
Networking 101 for Creators @ Cura Lounge (Behind Creature Comforts)
This workshop is tailored to help you build strong and healthy professional relationships and “break the ice” of intimidating conversation. We will discuss tools and approaches to help you engage and remove “the self” from conversation, obtain contact information, and lead to a successful “follow-up.”
Feature Selection - Risa and the Wind Phone
After losing her father in a tragic fire, 10-year-old Risa discovers that an out-of-service phone booth allows her to speak with the dead.
Feature Documentary - Brannu: The Urban Horseman
Wild Man. Animal Abuser. Squatter. Crazy. Outlaw. Troublemaker. These are the many labels hurled at Brandon Fulton to describe his lifestyle and ranching entrepreneurship. Film screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Golden Hour Networking Sponsored by Creature Comforts
Meet filmmakers and industry professionals at one of our sponsored venues, Creature Comforts. ONE complimentary drink ticket for all-access passholders.
Laugh Your Ath Off Comedy Shorts 2 - Sponsored by Leslie Jones Law
Comedy short films from around the world.
Feature Documentary - This is Pike County
Mounting pressures – including an unsolved family murder – test a close-knit rural community. Shot by director Laura Paglin, who lived at the local budget motel, the film lingers on what it means to come of age in a place left behind. “Haunting, quietly searing, hard to forget.” - Arlie Hochschild, Author, Strangers in Their Own Land. Film screening followed by Q&A with Director Laura Paglin.
Reel Peaches Georgia Shorts 2 - Sponsored by Athens Film Office
Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Best in the Globe 3 - Top Narrative Shorts
Witness the latest and greatest short films from around the globe. Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Best in the Globe 4 - Top Narrative Shorts
Witness the latest and greatest short films from around the globe.
LatinX Shorts - Sponsored by Latin Fest
A vibrant showcase of short films from Peru, the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, created and starring Latinx filmmakers. Proudly sponsored by LatinFest in Athens!
Closing Night Feature - That Friend
Film screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Widescreen Panic 2 - Horror Shorts Block
Witness the latest and greatest horror short films from around the world. Screenings are followed by Q&A with filmmakers. Film screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers.
Closing Night Party
Directly following the awards ceremony, Celebrate the filmmakers, volunteers, and audiences who made the 3rd annual Athens Film Festival unforgettable. Free drink ticket available to All-access Pass holders.
3rd Annual Athens Film Festival Awards
Celebrate the best of independent cinema as we honor this year's outstanding filmmakers and storytellers across all categories.
Pitchfest Presented by The Lightroom–ATH (Invite Only!)
Saturday Morning Cartoons - Animation Shorts
Music Docs, Featuring the World Premiere of "Changes: The Story of Sugar"
Feature Documentary - Brannu: The Urban Horseman
Reel Peaches Georgia Shorts 2 - Sponsored by Athens Film Office
LatinX Shorts - Sponsored by Latin Fest
Widescreen Panic 2 - Horror Shorts Block
Fellowship of the Screen: Stories United by Cinema
Panel - The Audience Strikes Back: Reclaiming the Screen (Hosted by Behind the Slate)
Networking 101 for Creators @ Cura Lounge (Behind Creature Comforts)
Golden Hour Networking Sponsored by Creature Comforts
Feature Selection - Risa and the Wind Phone
Closing Night Feature - That Friend
Laugh Your Ath Off Comedy Shorts 2 - Sponsored by Leslie Jones Law
Feature Documentary - This is Pike County
Best in the Globe 3 - Top Narrative Shorts
Sunday, Aug 30, 2026
Best of the Fest - Top Narrative Shorts
SCHEDULE TDB - Witness an encore screening of the latest and greatest short films from around the globe.