AFI FEST sets late October for 2023 festival

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.

Usually taking place in the second week of November, the 2020 edition of the festival, which took place during the height of COVID, landed in mid-October with a virtual version of the festival.

“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.”

In 2022, AFI FEST presented 125 films from 31 countries – 53% directed by women – with in-person screenings in the heart of Hollywood and select virtual screenings available for a national audience.

Program highlights from AFI FEST 2022 include the Opening Night World Premiere of SELENA GOMEZ: MY MIND AND ME and the US Premiere of Steven Spielberg’s THE FABELMANS, Additional Red Carpet Premieres include BARDO, FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS, directed by Academy Award-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu; the U.S. Premiere of GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO, directed by Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and Emmy Award winner Mark Gustafson; LIVING, directed by Oliver Hermanus; SHE SAID, directed by Emmy Award-winning director Maria Schrader; and THE SON, directed by Academy Award winner Florian Zeller. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay served as Guest Artistic Director, showcasing three independent films amplifying the voices of women directors.

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