Diverse 10-day festival will feature record +200 films, talent appearances, educational workshops and special events
ATLANTA, Ga. (March 14, 2018) — The 42nd Annual Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is pleased to announce the closing night and full lineup of film, educational and special programming, and events that will take place from April 13 – April 22, 2018.
Director Bo Burnham, the comedian known for his popular stand-up routines and YouTube career, will attend the Closing Night presentation of his new film EIGHTH GRADE at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, April 21. EIGHTH GRADE joins ATLFF’s previously announced Opening Night and Marquee presentations, including BLINDSPOTTING from ‘Hamilton’ actor and Tony Award-winner Daveed Diggs and TULLY from the Academy Award® -nominated director Jason Reitman.
With a record 7,600 film submissions received for the 2018 festival, the final lineup includes 58 feature-length films and 150 short films from 56 countries – making this year’s film festival the most diverse, by the number of countries represented, and the largest, by the number of films, in Atlanta history.
The ten-day event will delight festivalgoers with Opening and Closing Night presentations and galas, 10 Marquee screening events, 35 Creative Conference events, and more than nine Special Presentations. Before its official start, the festival will host a 2018 Kickoff Event on March 30 at 8:00 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre, where guests will be able to purchase badges, individual tickets, and official merchandise. Light snacks and drinks will be served.
Additional talent scheduled to make appearances throughout the festival include co-writer Rafael Casal (BLINDSPOTTING), actor/director Romany Malco (PRISON LOGIC) and actor Kiersey Clemons (HEARTS BEAT LOUD). Actors including Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Charlize Theron and more will be represented in films from major studios like A24, Lionsgate, and Focus Features.
Sporting nearly 50 films with production or filmmaker ties to Georgia, the 2018 fest will celebrate more than five decades of film and educational programming in the state. The Creative Conference, the five-day educational programming track that takes places annually during the festival, will also return with more than 35 panels, workshops, Q&As and more.
“The growth of the Atlanta Film Festival reflects the rising importance of Georgia’s film industry, and we’re proud to showcase that connection by hosting a record 49 films with Georgia ties,” ATLFF Executive Director Christopher Escobar said. “We are 100 percent committed to providing a unique festival experience that honors our roots and creates a diverse opportunity for filmmakers of all levels, while also displaying an important role that our city represents in the film and television community.”
The Atlanta Film Festival is pleased to showcase diverse feature and short films that connect audiences to filmmakers from around the world. This year, ATLFF will host the world premiere of seven feature-length films and more than 50 short films during the 2018 festival. In addition, 68 percent of this year’s selected submissions were directed by either a woman or filmmaker of color.
World Premiere presentations will feature films from ATLFF specialty tracks (New Mavericks, Pink Peach, Georgia-Made) with notable directors that include Noor Gharzeddine, Mason Rey, Takashi Doscher, T Cooper, Emelie Svensson and Karin Oleander.
Creative media – including virtual reality films, music videos, and episodic content – will continue to have a role at this year’s Atlanta Film Festival with more than 30 additions to the schedule.
The Plaza Theatre and Dad’s Garage will return as official venues. New locations include the Hilan Theatre and the Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center.
Festival badges are on sale now, and individual tickets will go on sale March 30. The Atlanta Film Festival is the annual centerpiece of educational and enriching film programming that is provided year-round by parent organization, the Atlanta Film Society.
Screening dates and times are subject to change. For a full lineup of films, or to purchase passes, please visit www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com/films. View the full line up of films here: ATLFF 18 – Closing Night and Full Programming Lineup 3-14-18 FINAL.
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