ATLANTA, GA — National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $30 million in grants as part of the NEA’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017.  Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $25,000 to Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS) to support the 41st Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) and related programming. The Art Works category focuses on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts.

“The arts are for all of us, and by supporting organizations such as ATLFS, the National Endowment for the Arts is providing more opportunities for the public to engage with the arts,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “Whether in a theater, a town square, a museum, or a hospital, the arts are everywhere and make our lives richer.”

"We are thrilled and humbled to receive the funding and endorsement from the NEA," said ATLFS Executive Director Christopher Escobar. "The impact to our organization, programs and ultimately our service to the community will be tremendous—especially considering the challenge of public funding in Georgia."

Showcasing the work of independent filmmakers, ATLFF's screenings include narrative, documentary, and experimental film as well as animation, puppetry, and musical works. In addition, the festival's Creative Conference hosts educational panels and seminars for artists and audiences on topics such as female stereotypes in the film industry, puppeteering for the camera, and lighting and audio workshops. The Screenwriter's Retreat also will offer selected artists the opportunity to meet with producers, directors, and fellow screenwriters for mentorship and discussion of current projects.

For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit www.arts.gov/news.
For more information on the Atlanta Film Society, visit www.atlantafilmsociety.org.
Stay connected with the Atlanta Film Society on social media: @AtlFilmSociety, #ATLFS
For more information on the Atlanta Film Festival, visit www.atlantafilmfestival.com.

About the Atlanta Film Society        
The Atlanta Film Society is one of the largest organizations dedicated to the promotion and education of film in the Southeastern United States. Enriching the community through screenings, classes, workshops and other events year-­round, including the Atlanta Film Society’s flagship program, the Atlanta Film Festival. One of only two dozen Academy Award­-qualifying events in the country, the Atlanta Film Festival annually showcases over 200 films along with a full Creative Conference focusing on various filmmaking topics to over 27,000 attendees across a ten day event each spring. The Atlanta Film Festival was recently named one of the “25 Coolest Film Festival in the World” and one of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine. Major funding for the Atlanta Film Society is provided by Turner, XFINITY, MailChimp, HBO, SPANX and the Sara Blakely Foundation.