AFI Fest Sets 2026 Dates and Submissions Open for Short Film Entries

The 40th American Film Institute (AFI) will take place from Oct. 21-25. Presented by Canva, AFI Fest will feature a curated selection of Red Carpet Premiere screenings, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries and Short Films. 

The film festival is set to take place at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, Calif. and will feature a curated selection of premiere screenings, documentaries and short films. 

“AFI Fest brings the film community together through the collective embrace of cinema,” said Todd Hitchcock, Director of AFI Fest and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, in a statement. “AFI Fest audiences know to expect bold, compelling films created by passionate filmmakers from around the world. Last year smashed box office records and we anticipate the same enthusiasm for the art form as the festival celebrates its 40th year.”

In addition to the film festival dates, AFI also announced they are accepting submissions for short films.

Short films (40 minutes and under) in the categories of live action, documentary or animation that were completed after Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for submission. The early deadline for short film submissions is March 1, and the official deadline is April 12. May 31 is the final deadline to submit short films. 

Positioned as the final major film festival of the year, AFI Fest is when the global circuit arrives on the doorstep of Hollywood at the TCL Chinese Theatre. For new releases with awards aspirations, it can serve as a climactic studio homecoming to springboard a wide release. For young directors, particularly graduates of the American Film Institute Conservatory, it’s an avenue to announce themselves to the film industry. For L.A. cinephiles, it’s a packed weekend of standouts from Berlin, Cannes and Venice.

Program highlights from last year’s AFI Fest included “Bugonia,” “Christy,” “Jay Kelly,” “The Testament of Ann Aee” and more. Of the official selections, 39% were directed by women and 29% were directed by BIPOC filmmakers.