Thank You, Filmmakers! Nearly 2,800 Submissions Received for the 64th Ann Arbor Film Festival

October 24, 2025

We’re thrilled to share that nearly 2,800 filmmakers from over 100 countries across six continents have submitted their work for the 64th Ann Arbor Film Festival, taking place March 24–29, 2026, with online Awards Programs available March 30–April 14.

This year’s submissions reflect a truly global community of experimental and independent filmmakers. AAFF received 1,198 films from the United States, followed by 174 from the United Kingdom, 167 from Canada, and 109 from Germany. We also saw strong participation from France, China, Spain, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Brazil, Belgium, Austria, Australia, and Portugal, among many others.

Thank you to every filmmaker who submitted—your creativity and dedication continue to make the AAFF a home for bold, boundary-pushing cinema.

More than 75 screeners are currently carefully reviewing submissions and we’ll notify all filmmakers of their submission status by February 1, 2026. Each year, 100-120 short films and 8-10 feature films will be programmed for the competition, with a 4% acceptance rate., A distinguished jury of filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals confer nearly $40,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. AAFF is also an Academy Award®–qualifying festival for the Short Films category.

All selected works are artist-made and experimental in nature—ranging from documentary to narrative and animation, and just plain experimental -- each exploring the moving image as an art form. The festival presents these films across 15–20 curated programs, featuring 10–12 shorts in competition and 8–10 features in competition programs. The AAFF proudly screens films in 16mm, 35mm, and digital formats, upholding the highest standards of presentation.

Beyond the festival, filmmakers may also be featured in the AAFF Traveling Tour, a “Best of” shorts program that reaches over 35 venues—including theaters, universities, museums, and art house cinemas—across North America and beyond. Participating filmmakers are compensated for each screening, and AAFF continues to champion their work year-round through special programs and events.

For over six decades, the Ann Arbor Film Festival has remained dedicated to supporting experimental  filmmakers and we look forward to celebrating the next generation at the 64th Ann Arbor Film Festival, taking place March 24-29, 2026.