FMFF 26 • TICKETS ON SALE NOW • 7PM OCT 23 • 113 MAIN ST • LILBURN, GA •
FMFF 26 • TICKETS ON SALE NOW • 7PM OCT 23 • 113 MAIN ST • LILBURN, GA •
The Five Minute Film Festival
produced by Argo Navis Studios
So, what is the Five Minute Film Festival?
Now in our fourth year, the Five Minute Film Festival by Argo Navis Studios is a community event celebrating very short films of about five minutes or so before credits. It's held annually in Lilburn, GA. We are so excited to share this experience with you!
Who are Argo Navis Studios?
We are an indie film studio based in Atlanta. Argo Navis Studios is run by SL Holbrook, Jef Holbrook, and Aaron Gotlieb.
Beyond filmmaking, Argo Navis Studios also serves as the umbrella for our other production studios and creative efforts.
In addition to the Five Minute Film Festival, Argo Navis Studios also produces original video programming as Nerdtime TV, podcasts at Assembler FM, animated and print media at Cricket Comics and our live, site-specific theatrical productions as A Parcel of Rogues Theatre.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
It would be impossible to produce anything without the help and support of our community partners. We are so grateful to all the past and present sponsors and partners linked below. Thank you all so much!
The Event
We are here to encourage and spotlight human-generated creativity!
Why does the Five Minute Film Festival exist?
We aim to bring a mix of filmmakers of varied experience levels together for an event where they can meet, learn from and celebrate their work.
What will the festival be like?
We will have a screening block for the films as well as time to meet the attending filmmakers and audience members, Q&A, photo ops at our step-and-repeat, and a closing ceremony at the end of the day. During the screening you can vote for your favorite film. Votes will be tallied at the end of the event and the winning film will earn our Audience Choice Award for 2026!
6:00 PM - Doors Open - Take a selfie at our step and repeat! Meet and greet!
7:00 PM - Screening starts. Movie time!
8:00 PM - Audience votes for their favorite film!
8:15 PM - “Audience Choice Award” winner is announced!
8:30 PM - FMFF 26 Is officially over! Meet us “unofficially” for a drink next door at 1910 Public House if you want!
And that’s how the night will go. It’s a great time! Check out this video to get the vibe of the evening.
Where will the festival be?
This year's location will be in downtown Lilburn, GA! The festival will be in-person on Oct 23, 2026, upstairs at Music on Main, 113 Main St NW, Lilburn, GA 30047.
Can I bring kids?
THIS IS NOT BEING BILLED AS A “FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT” IN ANY WAY!
Also, it is NOT “adults only.”
We just want you to know that some films may have more adult themes than others, use foul language or be overstimulating to sensitive viewers.
Use your judgement as a parent and know you are responsible for what films they see!
If you need our opinion? We think teenagers will probably be fine based on their maturity level, but we wouldn’t bring anyone under 13 years old. We’ll have films that range from a “G” like rating to an “R” like rating. But hey, each film is only five minutes long, so if you’re concerned, just pop out of the room and come back for the next film!
What Accessibility Accommodations Are Available?
We believe accessibility accommodations benefit everyone!
We have some unique challenges this year but are doing our best. Here’s the scoop:
We are in a new venue this year! Adapting to this new beautiful space does come with one major accessibility caveat this year: stairs! If you have accessibility needs and still wish to attend the festival, here is what you’ll need to know:
Mobility (walking, wheelchair access, canes, walkers and related mobility devices :
This year’s venue is upstairs. There is no elevator or alternate route.
It is a historic structure and there is currently no ability to avoid going up one flight or stairs to the venue. This year we will be unable to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers or mobility scooters due to the size of the venue and the requirements to go upstairs. We understand and apologize for any inconvenience or inability to attend based on mobility needs.
Sensory (audio/visual):
We will have warnings if any films have photosensitive triggers, such as flashing light patterns or similar. We will keep the sound at an exciting, but reasonable level, but it will not necessarily be a “low-stimulus” environment.
Sensory (spatial/tactile/smells):
The venue is charming but small and (if all goes well) will be filled with about 40 people. There is air conditioning and proper ventilation, but be aware that you will be sitting close and possibly bumping elbows with your neighbors! While it is an older building, plenty of fresh air flows through. The show is only about an hour and you are free to come and go as you please if you find yourself overstimulated or uncomfortable for any reason.
Hearing and Language Accommodations:
All films will have open captions (created by hand, by humans) in English being displayed below the screen for those who need them and for everyone attending to see. We currently can only caption in English.
How do I enter my film?
All submissions are done only on our Film Freeway page.
I just want to watch the films. How do I attend?
Just buy a ticket and show up in time to watch the film screenings! Doors open at 6:00 PM, screening starts at 7PM. There will be some Q&A after the screening, you can also take a photo at our step and repeat, After the official event, maybe join us for a post-event hang at 1910 Public House Bar and Restaurant!
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Five Minute Film Festival in the heart of downtown Lilburn, GA!
GET TICKETS
The Vibe
Awards and Prizes
We used to give out first, second, and third place awards but have moved away from that to encourage filmmaker collaboration over competition.
We still do a “Festival Choice,” “Audience Choice,” and, when appropriate, a “Rising Filmmaker” award for emerging artists.
If your film is selected you will receive the appropriate laurels as well as a place listing your film as an official selection on our studio website. Other prizes (if any) are at the Festival's discretion and priority will be given to filmmakers who are able to attend the event in-person.
Congratulations to Rising Filmmaker Award recipient Laniee Ison!
Reviews and Press
“Classy, responsive folk — after the subject of my film passed on in the week before the festival, they crafted a memoriam screen to my dear friend Bill Hart — who was the subject of my piece — to flash on screen in advance of my film. Made me tear up when I saw what they had done. Human beings! Running a film fest! I will certainly enter again.”
“What a great time I had attending this festival, with my selected short LATE SLEEPER! Very nice folks, enjoyable films, and good conversation afterwards.”
“Very nice and communicative festival! ”
“This festival is run by a passionate group that genuinely cares about films and the filmmakers.”
“Thank you for hosting a quality local festival and having us there for a screening of Sympathizer.”
Previous FMFF Years
Want to Enter Your Film?
Rules, Terms and Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE FIVE MINUTE FILM FESTIVAL BY ARGO NAVIS LLC ("The Festival"):
- Your film must be under ten minutes (or less) before credits to be considered
- All submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of if the film is accepted to the festival or not.
- Submission of a film does not guarantee acceptance of the film into the festival.
- Acceptance of a film into the festival does not guarantee the film will screen at the event
- if your film is selected but does not screen you are still considered an official selection of the festival and can post your laurels.
- If you submit content to the festival and we accept your content into the festival, you agree to let us show the content at the festival during the screening and to clip content from your submission to create advertisements for the festival in the form of festival highlight reels, future festivals, festival trailers, stills, etc. without compensation. These materials are only used to promote the festival or future festivals. These materials will NOT be used by us for the purposes of training AI.
- You retain all rights to your film and acceptance into the festival does not equal an endorsement of any individual filmmaker or film by Argo Navis LLC.
- Submission of your film and attendance of the festival are at your own risk. Argo Navis LLC will not be responsible for any losses, damages or hardships incurred by you in association with the festival.
- If the festival cannot proceed due to a Force Majure event, an earnest attempt will be made to reschedule the festival. If that cannot happen and the event is cancelled, Argo Navis LLC will not be responsible for any damages or hardships incurred by the filmmaker.
- Any statements made by Argo Navis LLC regarding potential awards, recognitions, or prizes is not meant to imply or guarantee there will be any kind of cash or monetary component to the prize, award, or recognition.. These statements are only meant to clarify the conditions that would govern any potential monetary prize, if one were to exist. If a cash or monetary prize does exist, those prizes cannot be offered to filmmakers outside of the United States. The amount, distribution and eligibility of prize, recognition of awards is the sole discretion of Argo Navis, LLC. Monetary Prizes (if any exist) are for residents of the United States only. Awards and Prizes (if any exist) will be prioritized for filmmakers who actually attend the event in-person. Any and all prizes (if they exist), selections and screenings are at the sole discretion of our Festival Directors.
- Submission fees are to cover administration of the festival. Entering more does not improve your chances of selection as each film is selected on it's own merits and relevance to the festival based on the decisions of our Festival Directors and Argo Navis, LLC.
- Argo Navis LLC has the right to accept or reject any film submitted to the festival for any reason at any time. Awards, prizes or recognitions can be revoked for any reason at any time at the discretion of Argo Navis, LLC.
- Acceptance/selection into the Festival can be revoked for any reason at any time at the discretion of our Festival Directors and Argo Navis LLC.
- No films solely created using generative AI will be accepted. If you submit a film created by generative AI, please remember that your submission fee is non-refundable.
We are here to encourage and spotlight human-generated creativity!