Backlight Student Film Festival

is a two-day student short film festival to take place March 28th and 29th in Athens, GA. With engagement from film studios, production companies, professional filmmakers, and over a dozen colleges and universities across Georgia, Backlight helps bring together the current and next generation of Georgia film. As the film industry expands into Georgia, Backlight provides outlets for student filmmakers to showcase their talents and build connections within their local film community.

Founded in 2022 by University of Georgia Students, Backlight Student Film Festival Inc. is an emerging non-profit festival offering a variety of opportunities for students to develop their talent in the media entertainment industry through a networking mixer, red carpet, film screenings, industry panels, and an awards ceremony featuring industry professionals, film academics, and notable alumni of Georgia colleges and universities. Backlight has exploded from an entirely student-run production at the University of Georgia to an award-winning accredited non-profit organization with connections state and nationwide.

Info: Join us as our hosts kickoff the 5th Annual Backlight Student Film Festival by honoring our past filmmakers and previewing the incredible films that will be screened later in the evening!

Info: Backlight hosts a panel comprised of industry professionals to talk about their experiences as filmmakers in Georgia and the transition from student filmmaker to professional.

Info: Screenings of our finalist Mid-Length Films. Mid-Length Films are between 10 and 30 minutes in runtime.

Info: A brief break between film categories to stretch your legs and refill your popcorn!

Info: Screenings of our finalist Short Films. Short Films have runtimes of 10 minutes or less.

Info: Backlight’s Luminary Alumni Award is bestowed to an alumni of a Georgia university who is making outstanding contributions in the entertainment industry.

Info: Meet fellow filmmakers and Backlight’s sponsors who will have tables for networking and mingling. Snacks and refreshments catered by Athens Food Group will be provided throughout the duration of the Mixer.

Info: Accredited press outlets will have opportunities to photograph and interview our filmmakers, panelists, & sponsors on the Red Carpet. At 3:00 PM, the Red Carpet will open up for all attendees.

Info: During the Red Carpet Program and Mixer, Backlight will be playing re-runs of some of the best films from the past four years of the festival.

Info: Our festival is concluded with our Awards Ceremony, consisting of 11 awards voted on by our Judging Panel, a Peabody Student Collective Award, and an Audience Choice Award voted on by our audience on Saturday.

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