Atlanta Documentary Film Festival Showcases Diverse Shorts

The 2026 festival features personal stories, investigative films, and comedic documentaries.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:30am

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The Atlanta Documentary Film Festival is back in 2026 with a diverse lineup of short films in its third program, "Our World Our Way." The program includes powerful investigative documentaries, personal stories, and films that are both funny and deeply human. For the first time, the festival will also present a separate online collection of films from March 23 to April 6, giving audiences more ways to discover these documentaries.

Why it matters

The Atlanta Documentary Film Festival has become a premier event for showcasing the breadth and creativity of the documentary film genre. This year's program reflects the festival's commitment to presenting a wide range of perspectives and styles, from personal memoirs to social issue investigations. The addition of an online component also makes the festival more accessible to audiences beyond the local Atlanta community.

The details

The "Our World Our Way" program features seven short films, including "NUNO" about a young man exploring his uncle's story, "Darlinghurst Eats Its Young" which looks back at a group of 1980s artists in Australia, and "The Queentini Story" following a 70-year-old woman pursuing her dream of performing in drag. Other films tackle topics like graffiti art, the influence of Southern culture on dance, and a jeweler rushing to finish a birthday present.

  • The Atlanta Documentary Film Festival runs from March 22-24, 2026.
  • The online program will be available from March 23 to April 6, 2026.

The players

Atlanta Documentary Film Festival

An annual film festival in Atlanta, Georgia that showcases the best in documentary filmmaking.

Nuno Taborda

Director of the short film "NUNO" which explores a young man's connection to his long-dead uncle.

Madeleine Preston

Director of the short film "Darlinghurst Eats Its Young" which reflects on a group of 1980s artists in Australia.

Peter Richard Silva Jr.

Director of the short film "The Queentini Story" about a 70-year-old woman pursuing her dream of performing in drag.

Ayden Kostzer

Director of the short film "G.R.I.T.S (girls raised in the south)" exploring the influence of Southern culture on dance.

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What’s next

The Atlanta Documentary Film Festival will continue its online program from March 23 to April 6, 2026, giving audiences more opportunities to discover the diverse lineup of short films.

The takeaway

The Atlanta Documentary Film Festival's 2026 program showcases the versatility and creativity of the documentary film genre, with personal stories, investigative works, and comedic films that challenge, surprise, and entertain audiences. The addition of an online component also makes the festival more accessible to viewers beyond the local Atlanta community.