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RULES AND TERMS

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is open to experimental films as well as films that demonstrate a high regard for the moving image as an experimental art form, no matter the genre. Each year the AAFF selects 100-145 shorts and features for exhibition in the awards competition portion of the festival.

Films previously submitted may not be re-entered unless there has been a significant change to the edit. Later versions of a film may be reviewed and/or selected at the programmer's discretion.
Short and feature-length entries are accepted.
Short films run no longer than 60 minutes. Feature films run 60 minutes or more.
Entries not in English should have English subtitles.
Works in progress may be submitted, but are juried in the same pool as all other submissions.
Work must be contemporary - completed within the last three years.
Entry fees are per film entered, and must accompany the entry form for confirmation. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Make checks and money orders payable to the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival does not give waivers or discounts.
Entries are accepted via secure online screening and 16mm only. We do not accept DVD, VHS or video data files for screening purposes.
16MM
- If you would like the festival to preview a 16mm print of your film, please contact the festival directly at submissions@aafilmfest.org to make arrangements.

MAKE A GIFT

Cathy Mizgerd

What Difference Does a Festival Make?

For filmmaker Shunsaku Hayashi of Osaka, Japan, coming to the Ann Arbor Film Festival for the world premiere of his 2018 film short, Down Escalation, was a dream come true.

Down Escalation combines live-action and other techniques to animate Hayashi’s own paintings in a seven-minute piece that tells a tale of forms, dissolving.

In this interview with Shunsaku Hayashi at the festival this past March, Hayashi opens up about the artistic freedom he experienced through his exchange with other filmmakers at the festival. “I’m here for three days and I’m already thinking about my new film and what I will do next,” he said. “Their work inspires me a lot.”

Got three minutes? Watch.

What Difference Does a Festival Make?

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