Frequently Asked Questions
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ABOUT ATLANTIS
What are The Atlantis Awards?
The Atlantis Awards is an international film and screenplay competition dedicated to recognizing exceptional storytelling, craft, and creative voice across the disciplines of filmmaking.
Beyond the annual competition, Atlantis documents and explores the creative processes behind filmmaking through Artist Spotlights, Case Studies, interviews, and other craft-focused editorial work. Recognition is intended not simply as the conclusion of a submission, but as part of an ongoing relationship with the artists and work we encounter.
What makes Atlantis different from other festivals?
Atlantis approaches filmmaking as a collaborative art.
Our judging process considers individual disciplines independently while asking a broader question: How successfully did the filmmakers accomplish the work they set out to create?
Projects are evaluated without regard to budget, production scale, celebrity involvement, genre preference, politics, religion, or ideology. Exceptional work may also lead to further engagement through Artist Spotlights, Case Studies, interviews, educational discussions, and continued coverage beyond the competition cycle.
Who is behind The Atlantis Awards?
The Atlantis Awards is led by filmmakers, writers, and industry professionals with backgrounds in production, performance, filmmaking, and film analysis.
Our independent judging panel includes filmmakers, film school graduates, industry professionals, and experienced members of the filmmaking community.
SUBMISSIONS & ELIGIBILITY
Who can submit to Atlantis?
Atlantis accepts submissions from filmmakers and writers around the world, including both emerging and established artists.
What categories do you offer?
Atlantis offers awards across film, screenwriting, performance, and individual filmmaking disciplines, including directing, cinematography, editing, sound, music, animation, stunt work, movement-based storytelling, and other areas of craft.
Current categories, eligibility requirements, and submission options are listed on our FilmFreeway submission page.
Do you accept submissions in languages other than English?
Yes.
- Films must be in English or include English subtitles.
- Screenplays may be submitted in their original language.
Do you accept works-in-progress?
Yes. Works-in-progress are accepted. The judging team will evaluate only the version submitted.
Can I submit to multiple categories?
Yes.
Filmmakers using individual category submissions may enter any categories for which their project is eligible. Each category is evaluated independently.
Projects submitted through Curated Entry are reviewed across all applicable categories internally and do not require separate category submissions.
Can I update my submission after applying?
Updated materials may only be submitted upon request by the programming team.
CURATED ENTRY PROGRAM
What is a Curated Entry?
Curated Entry is an internal programming track for filmmakers who want their project considered across all applicable Atlantis award categories without selecting those categories individually.
Projects are reviewed holistically by the programming team, which determines eligible areas of consideration and tracks them internally throughout the season.
What happens after I submit through Curated Entry?
Once the project has been processed, Atlantis manages category placement, eligibility, and internal award tracking.
No additional category submissions are required, and no further action is needed unless the Festival contacts you directly.
How is this different from an individual category submission?
Individual category submissions are evaluated within the categories selected by the entrant.
Curated Entry allows the programming team to consider the project across all applicable categories based on the work itself.
Curated Entry does not provide an advantage in judging. All projects are evaluated according to the same competitive standards.
Do Curated Entry projects receive feedback?
Curated Entry projects receive a formal internal evaluation during the judging process.
Following Notification Day, entrants may contact Atlantis to request additional context regarding that evaluation.
Where available, the Festival may provide a brief written summary based on the jury record. This may include:
- General competitive placement
- Selected craft-based observations
- Relevant category or scoring context
Feedback is intended as a supplementary benefit of the Curated Entry process rather than a formal script-coverage or consulting service.
How do I request feedback?
Following Notification Day, Curated Entry entrants may contact Atlantis directly to request additional context regarding their evaluation.
Requests are reviewed individually.
When will I receive a response?
The scope and timing of any feedback response may vary depending on the volume of the season and the material available from the jury process.
Atlantis will make a reasonable effort to respond where useful evaluation context is available.
CATEGORY GUIDE
🔷 Curated Entry Programs
Curated Entry is an internal programming track, not an award category.
Curated Entry Program – Feature Films
Curated Entry Program – Short Films
Curated Entry Program – Student Films
Projects submitted through Curated Entry are reviewed holistically by the Atlantis programming team.
- The project is evaluated across all applicable areas of award consideration.
- Eligible categories are tracked internally throughout the season.
- Separate category submissions are not required.
- No further action is needed from the filmmaker unless contacted by the Festival.
Curated Entry does not provide an advantage in judging. All projects are evaluated according to the same competitive standards.
Note: Curated Entry itself does not receive a nomination, award, or laurel. Recognition is issued through the individual award categories.
🏆 Top-Level Awards
Best Picture
Recognizes the highest overall achievement in filmmaking across storytelling, direction, performance, and craft.
The Atlantis Vanguard Award
Recognizes bold, distinctive work that demonstrates exceptional artistic identity, ambition, or creative risk.
🎬 Directing & Writing
Best Director
Recognizes exceptional direction and creative leadership in realizing a project on screen.
Best Screenplay
Recognizes excellence in feature-length screenwriting.
Best Short Script
Recognizes excellence in short-form screenwriting.
🎭 Performance Awards
Best Actor
Best Actress
Recognize exceptional individual performances.
Best Ensemble
Recognizes a cast whose collective performances contribute meaningfully to the strength of the work as a whole.
Best Breakthrough Artist
Recognizes an emerging director, writer, performer, or other eligible artist demonstrating exceptional promise and creative voice.
🌍 Identity & Voice
Best International Voice
Recognizes work distinguished by a strong cultural perspective, regional identity, or international storytelling voice.
🎥 Film Categories by Format
Best Short Film
Recognizes excellence in short-form narrative filmmaking.
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short Film
Recognize excellence in nonfiction storytelling, perspective, and execution.
Best Animated Feature
Best Animated Short Film
Recognize excellence in traditionally produced animated filmmaking across feature and short formats.
Best Music Video
Recognizes excellence in visual storytelling, direction, and craft within the music-video form.
🎞️ Craft Categories
Best Cinematography
Recognizes excellence in visual composition, lighting, camera work, and photographic storytelling.
Best Film Editing
Recognizes the contribution of editing to structure, rhythm, pacing, clarity, and emotional effect.
⚔️ Movement & Physical Storytelling Categories
These categories recognize physical performance, movement, choreography, action design, and stunt craft as elements of cinematic storytelling.
Best Stunt Performance
Recognizes exceptional stunt performance by an individual performer or collaborative stunt team.
Best Stunt Coordinator
Recognizes stunt coordination and leadership in the planning, design, preparation, and execution of physical action.
Best Movement Sequence
Recognizes an individual sequence in which movement, action, choreography, or physical staging makes a significant contribution to storytelling.
Best Physical Performance
Recognizes performances communicated substantially through physicality, including creature performance, performance capture, and other movement-driven roles.
Best Stunt Reel
Recognizes compiled stunt and physical-performance work based on execution, control, presentation, and contribution to cinematic storytelling.
🎓 Student Categories
Best Student Film
Recognizes overall achievement within an eligible student production.
Best Student Director
Best Student Actor
Best Student Actress
Recognize exceptional emerging talent within student productions.
📌 Important Notes
- A single project may be eligible for multiple award categories.
- Projects submitted through Curated Entry are considered internally across all applicable categories.
- Up to five nominees per category are announced on Notification Day.
- Submission does not guarantee selection, nomination, or an award.
- Projects are evaluated according to their artistic goals, execution, and filmmaking craft.
- Production budget, scale, celebrity involvement, genre preference, politics, religion, and ideology do not determine competitive standing.
❓ Still Have Questions?
For questions regarding categories or eligibility, contact contact@theatlantisawards.com.
JUDGING & SELECTION
How are projects evaluated?
Projects are evaluated using the appropriate Atlantis judging rubric for film or screenwriting.
The jury considers artistic voice, storytelling, structure, character, performance, visual and technical craft, pacing, thematic effectiveness, and overall impact where applicable.
The central question is: How successfully did the filmmakers or writers accomplish the work they set out to create?
Who judges the submissions?
Our independent judging panel includes filmmakers, film school graduates, industry professionals, and experienced members of the filmmaking community.
Do you read/watch every submission?
Yes. Every eligible submission is reviewed in full as part of the judging process.
Will I receive feedback if I am not selected?
Written evaluation summaries are available through the Curated Entry program upon request following Notification Day.
Standard category submissions do not include guaranteed feedback.
When will I be notified of results?
Applicants are notified on the designated Notification Day listed on our submission platform.
Up to five nominees may be selected in each award category.
JUDGING & SELECTION
How are projects evaluated?
Projects are evaluated using the appropriate Atlantis judging rubric for film or screenwriting.
The jury considers artistic voice, storytelling, structure, character, performance, visual and technical craft, pacing, thematic effectiveness, and overall impact where applicable.
The central question is: How successfully did the filmmakers or writers accomplish the work they set out to create?
Who judges the submissions?
Our independent judging panel includes filmmakers, film school graduates, industry professionals, and experienced members of the filmmaking community.
Do you read/watch every submission?
Yes. Every eligible submission is reviewed in full as part of the judging process.
Will I receive feedback if I am not selected?
Standard category submissions do not include guaranteed feedback.
Projects submitted through Curated Entry receive a formal internal evaluation during the judging process. Following Notification Day, entrants may contact Atlantis to request additional context regarding that evaluation. Where available, the Festival may provide a brief written summary based on the jury record.
When will I be notified of results?
Applicants are notified on the designated Notification Day listed on our submission platform.
Up to five nominees may be selected in each award category.
AFTER YOU SUBMIT
What happens if my project is nominated?
Up to five nominees are announced in each award category on Notification Day.
Nominees remain under consideration until final jury deliberations are complete. Winners are announced during the annual live ceremony, with results published online afterward.
Atlantis may also contact filmmakers independently regarding screening opportunities, interviews, editorial coverage, or other programming matters.
What is the Atlantis Artist Spotlight?
The Atlantis Artist Spotlight is a long-form editorial series centered on the people behind filmmaking.
Through interviews and research, Spotlights explore the experiences, philosophies, techniques, and collaborative practices of filmmakers, writers, performers, stunt professionals, cinematographers, composers, and other creative artists.
Artist Spotlights are editorially selected and are separate from award placement.
Will my project receive promotion or editorial coverage?
Some projects and artists may be featured through Artist Spotlights, Case Studies, interviews, social coverage, press outreach, or other editorial work.
Coverage is determined independently by the Atlantis editorial and programming teams and is not guaranteed by submission, selection, nomination, or award status.
Does Atlantis remain in contact with filmmakers after the festival?
Yes.
Atlantis views recognition as the beginning of a relationship rather than the end of a submission. Alumni and artists we encounter through the Festival are welcome to remain in contact, and future conversations, editorial work, programming opportunities, or collaboration may develop beyond the awards cycle.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Are submission fees refundable?
No. All submission fees are non-refundable.
Do you pay screening fees?
No. Atlantis does not pay screening fees.
How can I contact the Atlantis team?
For general inquiries, please contact:
contact@theatlantisawards.com