Protected:

Announcing the Dates for AFI FEST 2023

37th Edition of Festival Runs October 25-29

Now Accepting Submissions For Short Films

The American Film Institute has announced the dates for AFI FEST 2023. The 37th edition of the Institute’s annual film festival will take place exclusively in person on October 25-29, 2023, at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in the heart of Hollywood. The five-day festival will once again include a curated selection of Red Carpet galas, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films.

“As we look ahead to AFI FEST, we are reminded of the power of film festivals to immerse, to inspire and to bring us together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “We look forward to shining a proper light upon films from around the world that move us and to celebrating the artists that lead the way to a brighter future.”

Entries for the AFI FEST 2023 Short Film Competition program open today and filmmakers are invited to submit fiction, documentary, experimental and animated short films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®.

SHORT FILM SUBMISSION DATES
Early Deadline – March 2, 2023
Official Deadline – April 13, 2023
Final Deadline – June 1, 2023

Learn more about submitting to AFI FEST 2023 at FEST.AFI.com or submit via Film Freeway at https://filmfreeway.com/AFIFEST. Filmmakers can email [email protected] for more information about the submissions process for short films.

Program highlights from AFI FEST 2022 include the World Premiere of SELENA GOMEZ: MY MIND & ME starring Selena Gomez; U.S. premiere of Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg’s THE FABELMANS starring Academy Award® nominee Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle and Academy Award® nominee Judd Hirsch; U.S. premiere of GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO directed by Academy Award® winner Guillermo del Toro and Emmy Award®-winning stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson; Red Carpet screenings of BARDO, FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS and LIVING starring Academy Award® nominee Billy Nighy; Academy Award® nominees for International Feature Film CLOSE and EO; Special Screening of WOMEN TALKING followed by conversation with Academy Award® nominee writer/director Sarah Polley; and special screenings and conversation with women directors hosted by AFI FEST 2022 Guest Artistic Director Ava DuVernay.

For sponsorship opportunities at AFI FEST 2023, contact [email protected].

To learn more about AFI FEST, visit FEST.AFI.com.