About

History

Founded in 1973, the Athens International Film + Video Festival (AIFVF) has established itself as a premier platform for showcasing exceptional international cinema for over 50 years. Nestled in the picturesque foothills of Appalachia, the festival benefits from its unique location and a deep connection to its regional roots. This setting provides an inspiring backdrop that complements the festival’s commitment to celebrating diverse and innovative filmmaking.

Globally recognized for its unwavering dedication to films from underground and marginalized communities, AIFVF reflects the values of inclusivity and diversity that are at the heart of our shared cultural identity. The festival stands as a beacon of diverse perspectives, championing the voices of underrepresented artists and providing a global stage for moving image works that might otherwise be overlooked.

Throughout its five-decade history, AIFVF has embraced a wide spectrum of film genres, including experimental, narrative, animation, music video, documentary, and both short-form and feature-length works, representing unique approaches and storytelling forms from across the globe.

Beyond merely offering a showcase, AIFVF provides filmmakers with a distinguished platform for gaining public exposure and critical recognition. The festival is also a vibrant networking hub, fostering connections among filmmakers, professionals, and audiences. This collaborative environment enables artists to forge valuable relationships, share insights, and collaborate on future projects. The festival’s emphasis on artistic innovation and creativity ensures that films are celebrated for their artistic value rather than their commercial appeal or industry connections. This dedication to fostering artistic expression and community building makes AIFVF a vital cultural institution, dedicated to elevating voices and visions that contribute to a richer, more diverse global cinema landscape.

The Competition Process

Each year, a Prescreening Committee comprised of artists, students, and community activists watch all the films and videos entered in the competition. After all entries have been watched, the pre-screeners evaluate all entries to determine films to include in public screenings.

Cash prizes are awarded by guest jurors, in four categories: documentary, experimental, narrative, and animation. Festival Jurors will be announced just prior to the Festival. Awards will be announced on the final day of the Festival.

Competition films are then programmed around various themes that emerge from the films selected; our intention is to group films into shows that reflect a common thematic thread. This year 2,200 films were submitted to the competition. From these; 235 films from 41 countries were chosen to screen at this year’s festival.

Festival Staff

Director: David Colagiovanni
Assistant Programmers: Josh Vieth, Terra Talamh
Hospitality Coordinator: Kelee Riesbeck
Technical Direction: Dan Bruell, Dan Moray
Design and Art Direction: Mohammad Younus Nomani
Social Media: Yana Durado, Kat Frazier, Kayla Jardinado
Screen Printing: Melissa Haviland

Contact us:

Mailing Address:
Athens International Film + Video Festival
P.O. Box 388, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740-593-1330
Email: athensohiofilmfest@gmail.com
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