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37th Edition of Festival Runs October 25-29Now Accepting Submissions For Short Films

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the dates for AFI FEST 2023. The 37th edition of the Institute’s annual 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 programming@AFI.com 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 Advancement@AFI.com.

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

About the American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute (AFI) is a nonprofit organization with a mandate to champion the moving image as an art form. Established in 1967, AFI launched the first comprehensive history of American film and sparked the movement for film preservation in the United States. In 1969, AFI opened the doors of the AFI Conservatory, a graduate-level program to train narrative filmmakers. The Conservatory, which counts Deniese Davis, Affonso Gonçalves, Susannah Grant, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison as Alumni, is ranked the #1 film school in America. AFI’s enduring traditions include the AFI Life Achievement Award, which honors the masters for work that has stood the test of time; AFI AWARDS, which celebrates the creative ensembles of the most outstanding screen stories of the year; and scholarly efforts such as the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive that preserve film history for future generations. AFI exhibition programs include AFI FEST and year-round exhibition at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Maryland. AFI Movie Club is a destination for movie lovers from around the world to celebrate and engage with the art form every day. Other pioneering programs include workshops aimed at increasing diversity in the storytelling community, including AFI DWW+ and the AFI Cinematography Intensive for Women. Read about all of these programs and more at AFI.com and follow us on social media at Facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, YouTube.com/AFI, Twitter.com/AmericanFilm and Instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute.

About AFI FEST
Now in its 37th year, AFI FEST is a world-class event, showcasing the best films from across the globe. This year’s edition takes place in Los Angeles from October 25-29, 2023. With an innovative slate of programming, the five-day festival presents screenings, panels and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new cinematic voices. AFI FEST includes high-profile films with Q&As featuring the films’ cast and crew and a robust lineup of fiction and nonfiction features and shorts, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for movie fans. Additional information about AFI FEST is available FEST.AFI.com. Connect with AFI FEST at Facebook.com/AFIFEST, Twitter.com/AFIFEST, Instagram/AmericanFilmInstitute, TikTok/@AmericanFilmInstitute and YouTube.com/AFI.