Atlanta Film Festival and Sidewalk Film Festival Named Among "Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker Magazine

The list of 25 was picked from nominations by MovieMaker Magazine's 2015 Panel of Cool.

Since the first Venice Film Festival began in 1932, film festivals around the globe have evolved into the premiere events for the celebration of independent cinema. As film enthusiasts, we attend these events to experience the moving image in the best possible way—through exceptional programming in stunning venues surrounded by a crowd of equally passionate cinephiles.

Two of our favorite film festivals to attend, the Atlanta Film Festival and the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, were recently recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as two of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World—and we couldn’t be more excited and proud!

With over 3,000 active film festivals in the world, it is truly an honor for a festival to be named one of the coolest. It means even more to know that these festivals were voted on not by film critics, but by filmmakers and industry professionals. Check out the reviews below to see what MovieMaker's Panel of Cool had to say about ATLFF and Sidewalk. We are so glad they share in our admiration for these two remarkable festivals!

Atlanta Film Festival | Atlanta, GA (April 1-10, 2016)

“What’s one advantage of running a festival in April? Throwing an annual Game of Thrones-themed party to coincide with a new season of HBO’s hit show. Word is that this shindig is ‘off the hook, with giant wolf puppets, costumed revelers and a feast fit for royalty.’ We also love AFF’s Creative Conference educational program, which boasts such atypical panel topics as ‘Silhouette Animation: 3D Printing and Laser Cutting,’ and an opening casting call where actors get just one minute to pitch themselves to an audience of filmmakers and casting agents.

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival | Birmingham, AL (August 2016)

“Welcome to Cool Town, USA. ‘I’ve developed a good little crush on Birmingham, thanks to Sidewalk,’ says a panelist. ‘It’s a dynamic city emerging as one of the capitals of the new South—with tons of new places and creative spaces popping up.’ Besides an annual who’s who of circuit favorites, notoriously inventive parties (one from this year: ‘Barbecue, beer, mini golf, mechanical pigs’ at an iron furnace-come-national landmark), and a filmmaker retreat in Red Mountain Park, Sidewalk hosts year-long film education programs for the local indie community.”

Interested to know which of your other favorite festivals made the cut? Check out the complete list here.