ATLANTA FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS LOCALS ONLY

LOCALS ONLY is a recurring film competition for short films from Georgia's independent filmmakers. Each cycle follows a distinct theme and focus, and the programming comes entirely from submissions. Submitted films must be at least partially filmed in Georgia AND directed by a director who resides in Georgia. Maximum runtime is 20 minutes. All selected films will screen at the historic Tara Theatre on February 4, 2027. Tickets on sale now! Our current cycle is open to films from and about your school days.

Winter 2027 LOCALS ONLY presents: Lessons Learned. This season, we’re looking for stories about teachings in and out of the classroom. Whether it's a coming-of-age film about understanding the hard truths of adult life or a teacher at her wits' end dealing with classroom drama. Don’t have a learning-themed short? Well, dust off those student films and class assignments because this season is also open to shorts made during a college program.

  • Submitted films must be at least primarily filmed in Georgia AND come from a come from a director, writer, and/or producer who resides in the state of Georgia with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes. If you submit in this category without meeting the necessary criteria, you will be disqualified from consideration and will not be issued a refund.

    Dates to Remember

    • Submission Deadline: September 18, 2026

    • Notification Date: October 1, 2026

    • Screening Date: October 22, 2026
      Filmmakers should plan to send one representative to the screening to represent the film during our Q&A and to accept awards

  • All selected films will screen at the event at the Tara Theatre and receive Official Selection laurels. Additionally, selected filmmakers will receive a waiver to submit their LOCALS ONLY entry to the next Atlanta Film Festival. Each selected film will receive 5 free tickets to attend the screening as well as two free tickets to the Tara Theatre ($30 value).

    Jury and Audience prizes will be awarded. Each will come with a $100 cash prize. Winning films will also receive winner laurels, 2 All-Access badges each to the next Atlanta Film Festival ($800+ value) and 2 Tara Theatre ticket/popcorn/drink combos ($54 value).

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Have questions? Email localsonly@atlantafilmsociety.org

 

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Past Finalists & Winners

  • Baby Killed The Cat, Directed by Neville Evan Shaw

    Dead Man Blues, Directed by Travis Burdick

    Exquisite Corpse Shorts: Atlanta Halloween Edition, Produced by Zachary Stephens

    Key of Life, Directed by Dylan Jagla

    Matriarcal, Directed by Bryan Cheng

    The Nightmare Before Halloween, Directed by Levi Morgan

    Reflect, Directed by Ryan Vanderbush

    Tell Him, Directed by
    Shannon Ford Thompson

    Trunk, Directed by Brentson Buckner

    Audience Award Winner: THE MONSTERS WE CARRY, Directed by Justin Melson

    Juy Award Winner: The Waltz of Eve, Directed by Pablo Miranda and Jazmin Marie Saunders

  • Dying Laughing, Directed by Tyler Young

    El Marciano, Directed by Daniel Rocha

    Fresh Produce, Directed by Avery Spalding

    Jeannie Believes in Satiation, Directed by Emeline Tartaglia

    Legend of Fry-Roti: Rise of the Dough, Directed by Sabrina Saleha

    Noodle, Directed by Colin Wheeler

    Slideshow, Directed by Jamison Braly

    Slippery Heart, Directed by Beanz Ramirez

    Sugar, Directed by Charlotte Geissler

    Thaumatopoios, Directed by Qate Bean

    The Professional, Directed by Harpers Suggs

    Audience Award - Devil's Advocate, Directed by Ava Watson
    Jury Award - Taco Night, Directed by John Raymond Roche III

  • Exit, Dir by Joshua Coleman
    Still Life, Dir by Rebecca Levy
    One Days, Dir by Alexandra Faith
    From Scratch, Dir by Sam Costantino
    Teddy’s Service, Dir by Paul Seetachitt
    Pink Isn’t Your Color, Dir by Fatima Diallo
    Message to Jacob, Dir by Thomas Kennedy Pope
    Respiros De Amor, Dir by Angelo Guevara-Malavé


    Jury Award: Tampa, Dir by Brent Michal
    Audience Award: How the Roses Reach, Dir by Belle Adams

  • BIG DAWG THEORY, Directed by rubnogs
    EYES, Directed by Rebecca Levy
    IS YOUR BLOOD RED?, Directed by Beanz Ramirez
    LOVE IN THE TIME OF ZOMBIES, Directed by Sam Costantino
    MY BLACK IS CRACKING, Directed by Bianca D. Lambert
    PATIO CIGARETTE, Directed by Win Marks
    RETAIL THERAPY, Directed by Aaron Parrish-Dean
    SAKAZUKI, Directed by Walker Whited
    TELEPHONE TROUBLE, Directed by Shannon Ford Thompson
    THE HUNTED, Directed by Anissa Matlock and Leonardo Leonie
    TO HELL WITH YOU, Directed by Jason Sheedy
    WHO’S HAUNTING WHO, Directed by Adam Fallah

    Jury Award Winner: TENDER, Directed by Josh Kirkland
    Audience Award Winner: BFF GIRLS, Directed by Brian Lonano

  • SOUNDS OF THE FOREST, directed by Zachary Stephens

    TRIP-TYCH!, directed by Brian Lonano, Kevin Daniel Lonano

    FANTOMET, directed by Rob Tiffin, Mitchell Hardage

    KLARK SOUND - RED SPOT SUN, directed by John R Roche

    THE INTERSECTION AT REBECCA STREET AND SHIPMAN AVENUE, directed by Deitrah Taylor

    MORNING-BIRD, directed by Lorin R Dent

    FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE, directed by Jonathan Milograno

    IRIDESCENCE, directed by Max Arnzen

    EATING 38 CHEESEBURGERS, directed by Andrew Schwab

    BANANA DOG'S REVENGE, directed by Esperanza Gabriel

    SEA LEGS, directed by Laurie Garner

    Jury & Audience Award Winner: FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE, directed by Jonathan Milograno

  • Red Light Green Light - Dir: Corey Grispo
    A Grim Diagnosis - Dir: Nicole Kemper, Sarah Alison Hodges
    Sweaty Larry - Dir: Vanessa Ionta Wright
    Who’s Gonna Sleep First? - Dir: Carter Trey Smith
    Tango Sparks - Dir: Maureen Zent
    Middle Manifesto - Dir: Brent Lambert Zaffino
    Goo Darts - Dir: Connor Christensen
    FAFO (Fuck Around and Find Out) - Dir: Rocco Shapiro
    RAMP - Dir: Kadeen Marron
    Hula Hoop - Dir: Katie Ivey
    True Crime Fan - Dir: Justin H Reich
    Chipotle - Dir: Brent Lambert-Zaffino

    Jury Award: To the Window - Dir: Zachary Stephens
    Audience Award: Super High: A Period Piece - Dir: Bianca Lambert

  • MANSECT! - Dir: Jared P. Foust

    TRICK’ R TEETH - Dir: Lex Lauletta

    BLUE IS THE NIGHT - Dir: Mikael Trench

    HOME/BODY - Dir: Paul Tartaglia

    DEPRESSION IS A BEAST - Dir: Courtney Dixon

    COULD THIS HAVE BEEN AN EMAIL - Dir: Sarah Alison and Nicole Kemper

    THE MONSTERS WE CARRY - Dir: Justin Melson

    Jury Award: THE INSECT GOD - Dir: Paul Woolman Preston

    Audience Award: SOLITA - Dir: Carlos Diaz

  • Grandpa - Dir: Jennifer Dunn

    If The Creek Don’t Rise - Dir: Andrew Stevens

    Last Phone Call - Dir: Mackleen Desravines Sparkman

    Let’s Do a Cult - Dir: Brent Lambert-Zaffino

    The Name - Dir: Aaron Strand

    Reggie & Rainbow - Dir: Aaron G. Hale

    Jury Award: Goro Goro - Dir: Ryotaro Sawada, Agatha Tiara Christa
    Audience Award: Cooking with Claudia - Dir: Priscila Torres

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Upcoming Screenings:

Featured
LOCALS ONLY: Lessons Learned
Feb 4
LOCALS ONLY: Lessons Learned

Gothic tales, rotten to the core. This fall, LOCALS ONLY, our recurring screening of short films from Georgia’s independent filmmakers, is showcasing stories about things that go bump in the night. We’re bringing you madness, decay, and dread. Fall 2026 LOCALS ONLY Presents: Lost In The Shadows.

Read more →

Previous Screenings :

Featured
LOCALS ONLY: Lost In The Shadows
Oct 22
LOCALS ONLY: Lost In The Shadows

Gothic tales, rotten to the core. This fall, LOCALS ONLY, our recurring screening of short films from Georgia’s independent filmmakers, is showcasing stories about things that go bump in the night. We’re bringing you madness, decay, and dread. Fall 2026 LOCALS ONLY Presents: Lost In The Shadows.

Read more →
LOCALS ONLY: Wild, Wierd, Whatever
Aug 6
LOCALS ONLY: Wild, Wierd, Whatever

This summer, LOCALS ONLY, our recurring screening of short films from Georgia’s independent filmmakers, presents films outside polite society. We’re bringing together all outcasts, drifters, outlaws, and bandits. Summer 2026 LOCALS ONLY Presents: WILD, WEIRD, WHATEVER.

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LOCALS ONLY: Let’s Get Soapy
Jan 29
LOCALS ONLY: Let’s Get Soapy

This January, LOCALS ONLY, gets back to the core of cinema - the drama! Winter 2026 LOCALS ONLY Presents: Let’s Get Soapy. This season is all about your tear-jerkers and heart-wrenchers, from soap operas to romantic dramas. Grab your tissues and meet us at the cinema!

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LOCALS ONLY: Eye Candy
Oct 23
LOCALS ONLY: Eye Candy

This October, LOCALS ONLY, brings you a screening of everything fun and fantastic to look at! Fall 2025 LOCALS ONLY Presents: EYE CANDY. This recurring curated screening of short films from Georgia’s independent filmmakers with a distinct theme and focus, created entirely from submissions, is all about gore, guns, fists, and glitz!

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LOCALS ONLY: Trippin’
Jul 24
LOCALS ONLY: Trippin’

Bon Voyage, Filmmakers! LOCALS ONLY returns this July with our recurring curated screening of short films from Georgia’s independent filmmakers. For July 2025, LOCALS ONLY Presents: TRIPPIN’. Every story is a journey. This season, queuing up short films depicting travel of all kinds - road trips, cruise ships, and 10-minute space landings!

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