Wrapping up the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival and looking ahead

Seeing and speaking with actress Nicole Beharie was a highlight of the festival

The 36th Atlanta Film Festival came to a close Sunday and I can proudly say that of the six years I've attended, this was the best fest yet. The films were strong and diverse. The venues, especially the new Atlanta Gem Series locations, were fun and accommodating. The staff was warm and helpful. The stars were bright and plenty. Sure, there were delays, technical problems, long waits, etc. If you find a festival without any of those, please let me know, so I can avoid what is undoubtedly a boring and lifeless event.

The Atlanta Film Festival is full of life. Thanks to a new Executive Director, Chris Escobar, and longtime festival veteran, Charles Judson, now the Festival Director and Head of Programming; the festival has made great leaps in organization, cohesion and over-all cool factor. For years, the event felt like a film festival that was in Atlanta, now it feels, as it should, like Atlanta's film festival. With new partnerships with Georgia State University, the Plaza Theatre and Atlanta Magazine, the festival's future looks aglow.

Win two tickets to "Americano" at the Atlanta Film Festival tomorrow afternoon!

We are enjoying the Atlanta Film Festival so much this year, we just can't help but spread the love. How about two free tickets to see "Americano" starring Salma Hayek tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 pm? 

There are two ways to win. All you have to do is either email us at reelga@gmail.com with "ATLFF tickets" in the subject line or retweet this! Do both and double your chances! We will contact the winner late tonight.

What to see at the 2012 Atlanta Film Festival

The Atlanta Film Festival starts in just four days! Kicking off Friday, March 23 with opening night film "L!fe Happens," this years festival will be the 36th (can you believe it?) and promises to be the best yet. While I love all of Georgia's festivals, the Atlanta Film Festival has the biggest piece of my heart. I've attended and supported this festival for over half a decade now and I've found that there is an energy present at the ATLFF that can't be found elsewhere.

I am so excited about this year's lineup. Whether it be upcoming commercial releases like "L!fe Happens" and "The Cabin in the Woods," new indie festival slow-burners like "Welcome to Pine Hill," "V/H/S" and "My Last Day Without You," foreign imports "Boy," "Monsieur Lazhar" and "Generation P" or special screenings such as recent French cult hit "OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies;" there is something for everyone.

Check out the films that caught our eye (listed in order of screen date) after the jump!