by Andrew Shearer

Key Points

  • The Athens Film Festival returns for its third year, showcasing over 110 independent films from more than 30 countries.

  • This year's event will feature 20 world premieres and 20 U.S. premieres across six downtown Athens venues.

  • The festival aims to serve the local community, offering opportunities to watch unique films and meet filmmakers.

The Athens Film Festival will host the Georgia premier of director Laura Paglin’s feature-length documentary “This is Pike County” at Flicker Theater & Bar in Athens, Georgia on Saturday, August 29, 2026

The Athens Film Festival (ATHFF) returns Aug. 27-30 for its third year, bringing more than 110 independent films from more than 30 countries to downtown Athens.

Featuring 20 world premieres and 20 U.S. premieres, the festival continues to expand its international reach while maintaining a strong focus on local audiences and filmmakers.

This year's festival will span six venues within walking distance of one another, including Ciné, The Morton Theatre, Flicker Theatre & Bar, The Globe, Paloma Park and Live Wire Athens.

The expanded footprint reflects the steady growth of an event that has put Athens on the map as a destination city for independent film.

According to festival executive director and co-founder Chuck Griffin, one of the biggest changes since the first ATHFF is the increased visibility Athens has received from artists and producers beyond the local and national levels.

"We seem to get more attention from filmmakers outside of Georgia and internationally," said Griffin, who attributes the growth to the festival's welcoming reputation and strong participation during its first two years.

The festival's expanded scope is reflected in its lineup, which includes the Georgia premieres of films from Spain, Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, and several others. There are also programming blocks of shorts and features from around Georgia, and others dedicated specifically to films that were made in Athens.

Though many film festivals focus heavily on industry networking, Griffin said ATHFF was designed with the broader community in mind. Attendees can watch films, meet filmmakers during Q&A sessions, and discover stories that may never appear in local theaters or on major streaming platforms.

New programming includes expanded panels and workshops. One session will explore film scoring and bring together local musicians and filmmakers, highlighting the longstanding connection between Athens' music and film communities.

With individual screening tickets priced at $12, organizers hope residents will take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience independent cinema from throughout the world without leaving downtown Athens.

For tickets, passes, and to view the full festival schedule, visit www.athensfilm.com.