By Maria Lubanovic, Copy Editor
[Photo courtesy of Athens International Film and Video Festival]

The Athens International Film and Video Festival will celebrate its 46th anniversary this year with an amazing week of films from all around the world. The festival runs April 8–14 and features over 200 original films, documentaries and more.

Read more: Movie Review: Five Feet Apart

Over 2,200 films were submitted this year. The 235 films selected for the festival were chosen by a pre-screening committee made of artists, students and community activists. The festival represents 41 countries, and there are competitions for short films, features, documentaries and more. The best films will be awarded cash prizes in four categories–documentary, experimental, narrative and animation–by a panel of guest jurors.

AIFVF will show films with a variety of subjects, including a documentary about local legend DJ Barticus. I Am DJ Barticus will play at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday during the Waveforms competition shorts block. Saturday Morning Cartoons also return this year with animations from Australia, Switzerland, Taiwan, France, the U.S. and the U.K.

Founded in 1974, the festival highlights the best of underground international cinema from all genres, lengths and styles. It’s supported by the Athens community and is a great opportunity for all corners of the world to get together to celebrate film and creativity.

AIFVF also features free talks with film directors, shows world premieres of brand-new films and hosts after parties with performances by musical acts like Rattletrap Stringband, [M]onte, Jennifer Simone, Aaron Michael Butler, CLICK Ensemble, Michael Morris and Jacoti Sommes.

Tickets to all films are free for students and must be picked up the day of the show. Matinee films are $5 per person for non-students, and films after 5 p.m. are $6.50. An “All You Can Watch” pass is available for $50. All tickets must be purchased in person at The Athena Cinema box office at 20 S. Court St., and the full list of screenings can be found at athensfilmfest.org.