Get Passes to a Free Screening of "Far From the Madding Crowd" in Atlanta!

On Tuesday, April 28th in Atlanta, the Atlanta Film Festival is hosting a free advanced screening of Thomas Vinterberg's "Far From the Madding Crowd," starring Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen and Tom Sturridge.

Get your free passes below!

2015 Atlanta Film Festival Kicks Off with "I Am Michael" (****)

James Franco stars as Michael Glatze in "I Am Michael"

"You wanna go to Heaven, right?"

"Yes...."

"If you're a moral person, then you'll choose heterosexuality in order to be with God."

And so opens Justin Kelly's directorial debut, "I Am Michael," the true story of former gay rights activist Michael Glatze's denouncement of homosexuality. In this first scene, Glatze—played by James Franco ("The Interview," "This Is the End," "Oz the Great and Powerful," "127 Hours," "Milk")—speaks to a teen boy who's having trouble reconciling his homosexuality with his spirituality. Glatze's reasoning here shocks anyone who knew him (or his name) just years before.

Reel GA to Guest Judge WonderRoot's Local Film Night!

The partnerships forming between Georgia's independent film organizations get better and better, y'all, and the team behind Reel Georgia is honored to be a part of them! Join us at WonderRoot's Generally Local, Mostly Independent Film Series—voted Best Local Film Series three years running by Creative Loafing Atlanta—where we'll serve as the Guest Jury for this quarter's installment of locally-made short films on Thursday, March 19th at 8pm.

2015 Atlanta Film Festival Announces Opening & Closing Nights!

James Franco and Zachary Quinto star in "I Am Michael"

The 39th Annual Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) announced their Opening and Closing Night films on Monday. Friday, March 20th, The Plaza Theatre will host a premiere screening of "I Am Michael," which stars James Franco, Zachary Quinto, and Emma Roberts. Sunday, March 29th, ATLFF will close with "Sunshine Superman," a whirlwind documentary about the founding father of BASE jumping.

Homespun Series Returns to Plaza Theatre 2/13

The next installment in the Homespun Series is fast approaching! Since they began in November 2013, Homespun has showcased solely Atlantan-based short films that focus on the real, colorful characters in our city.

For 2015’s Winter Screening, Creator Brantly Watts and Executive Producer Jon Watts, Atlanta Film Festival Filmmakers in Residence, have chosen three documentary shorts that comply with a universally resonant theme: music.

Get free tickets to "A Will for the Woods" at Atlanta's Plaza Theatre!

Telluride's Mountainfilm festival has become a spectacular event, even going as far to franchise out across the country with various Mountainfilm On Tour segments. Last September, the Atlanta Film Festival hosted Mountainfilm On Tour ATL at The Plaza Theatre. This weekend, it returns to Atlanta's 75-year-old movie house. The festival officially kicks off Friday night and runs through Saturday, but Thursday night, ATLFF presents a Best of Fest screening of "A Will for the Woods."

Click here for free tickets to a screening of "A Will for the Woods" this Thursday, August 21 at 7:30 PM at The Plaza Theatre. Select 'Non-Guaranteed Standby Ticket' and get there early enough to make sure you get your seat (after paid ticket-holders).

The documentary, directed by Amy Browne, Jeremy Kaplan, Tony Hale and Brian Wilson played at ATLFF back in April. Musician, folk dancer and psychiatrist Clark Wang battles lymphoma while facing a potentially imminent need for funeral plans. Determined that his last act will not harm the environment -- and, hopefully, help protect it -- Clark has discovered the movement to further sustainable funerals that conserve natural areas. "A Will for the Woods" is an immersive, life-affirming depiction of people coming to terms with mortality by embracing their connection to timeless natural cycles.

Filmmakers and stars to walk the red carpet at the 2013 Atlanta FIlm Festival

From left: Ray McKinnon, Abigail Spencer, James Ponsoldt and Joseph Morgan
are all set to walk the red carpet at various ATLFF screenings.

Kicking off with "Mud" tomorrow night, the Atlanta Film Festival couldn't properly begin without rolling out the red carpet at the Plaza Theatre. Actor Ray McKinnon will be in town representing "Mud," which also stars Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shepard and Tye Sheridan.

The ATLFF red carpet has always been more of a filmmaker's event than a showy A-lister ordeal, shining the proper light on the talent and passion behind the projects. Plenty of pretty faces and actors make their way down the press line, however, and this year is no different. McKinnon will appear again Saturday (March 16th) for "Rectify," his new Georgia-lensed Sundance Channel original series. He is bringing along a few of his stars, too. Abigail Spencer ("Mad Men," "Oz the Great and Powerful"), Clayne Crawford ("24," "The Glades," "Justified"), Kim Wall ("American Reunion"), Sharon Morris ("The Blind Side") and Adam Fristoe ("Teen Wolf") are all set to appear. Joseph Morgan of "The Vampire Diaries" will walk the red carpet for the screening of his short film "Revelation." For the closing night film, "The Spectacular Now," native Georgian and director James Ponsoldt is scheduled to appear (March 23rd).

More stars and filmmakers could very well make their way to the fest, especially with all the in-town filming taking place.