The BronzeLens Film Festival (BronzeLens) of Atlanta, Georgia – dedicated to bringing national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color – has been approved by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Short Film Awards category. The short film that receives the BronzeLens Best Short Award may now be eligible to enter the Academy’s Short Subject competition for the concurrent season.

“We are honored to have the Academy’s approval as a short film qualifying festival. This distinction allows BronzeLens to continue play a pivotal role for filmmakers of color in obtaining recognition for their work at the highest level within the industry”, said BronzeLens Executive Producer Kathleen Bertrand.

Since its inception BronzeLens has provided a platform to showcase the work of some the world’s most talented independent filmmakers. Ava DuVernay, Abderrahmane Sissako, Issa Rae, Deborah Riley Draper, Nefertiti Nguvu, Russ Parr, S. Epatha Merkerson, Rockell Metcalf, Chris Eska, Mahmet-Saleh Haroun, and more are among distinguished BLFF alumni.

Now in its 8th year, BronzeLens Film Festival (BronzeLens) will return as a summer experience from August 16-20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.