Call for Entries: the 17th AFF Invites U.S. Filmmakers to Wrocław
Submissions are now officially open for the 17th edition of the American Film Festival! We are looking for the boldest new voices in American independent cinema to join us in Wrocław from November 17–22, 2026.
The heart of AFF lies in its two signature competitions, where the winners are chosen by our dedicated festival audience:
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Breakthrough Competition (narrative features) – 10,000 USD cash prize;
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American Docs Competition (documentary features) – 5,000 USD cash prize.
Submission Guidelines
We are seeking feature-length films that capture the diversity and spirit of contemporary U.S. storytelling. To be eligible, films must meet the following criteria:
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production: must be produced by a U.S.-registered company;
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runtime: minimum 60 minutes;
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recency: completed after January 1, 2025;
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premiere status: must be at least a Polish premiere.
Deadline for submissions: June 20, 2026.
About the Festival
For 16 years, AFF has served as Poland’s premiere window into American indie cinema. Hosted at the state-of-the-art, 9-screen New Horizons Cinema in the vibrant, multicultural city of Wrocław, the festival bridges the gap between U.S. creators and European audiences.
We are proud to build on the success of our 2025 winners: Kate Beecroft’s East of Wall (Breakthrough) and Suzannah Herbert’s Natchez (American Docs). Beyond the competitions, we also welcome submissions for our curated Out of Competition sections, which celebrate the full spectrum of modern American filmmaking.
Submissions for the US in Progress industry program will open in July, following the close of this current call for entries.
Join us in Wrocław this November and showcase your work at one of Europe's most unique celebrations of American talent!
