Atlanta, GA – July 7, 2024

The anticipation builds as the Fifteenth Annual BronzeLens Film Festival prepares to unveil its official selections on Monday, July 8, 2024. Organized by a dedicated team led by executive producer Kathleen Bertrand and supported by a stellar board of directors, the BronzeLens Film Festival has been a cornerstone in promoting Atlanta as a thriving hub for filmmakers of color since its inception in 2009.

As a non-profit organization, the festival aims to spotlight Atlanta on the global stage of film production while nurturing emerging talents within the community. With a dual mission to elevate Atlanta as a primary destination for filmmakers of color and to cultivate the next generation of cinematic storytellers, BronzeLens has consistently delivered on its commitment over the past fourteen years.

The first festival in 2010 set the stage for what has become an annual celebration of independent filmmakers from Atlanta, the Southeast region, and beyond. In that first year, the festival screened twenty-four films over four days. In a short six years, the BronzeLens became an Academy Award Qualifying Festival in the Shorts Category in 2016.

The festival’s impact extends beyond just showcasing films; it has garnered prestigious accolades over the years, including recognition as one of Film Freeway’s Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals annually since 2017. Awards such as Best Showcase for New Filmmakers and Best Place to Break into the Film Industry, bestowed by Atlanta Magazine in 2018, underscore BronzeLens’s significant role in the film community.

Notably, BronzeLens’s partnership with filmmaker Ava DuVernay in 2010 marked a pivotal moment, catapulting the festival onto the national and international stage. DuVernay’s film “I Will Follow” premiered at BronzeLens, leading to the festival’s inclusion in ARRAY, a film distribution network for African American film festivals.

In addition to its cinematic achievements, BronzeLens annually honors women of color through its Superstar Honoree program, recognizing sixty-three trailblazers who have made indelible contributions to the industry.

The Fifteenth Annual BronzeLens Film Festival is scheduled to take place from August 21- 25, 2024, in Atlanta, GA. Filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike eagerly await Monday’s announcement of the official selections, ready to see which films will grace the screens and further enrich the festival’s legacy of championing diversity and creativity in filmmaking.

For more information about the BronzeLens Film Festival, its mission, and its upcoming events, please visit the BronzeLens Film Festival website.