Tier 2

AFI Docs

Washington DC, United States

Premiere: No premiere requirement
Formats accepted: Shorts, Features, Documentaries
Format: in-person

Official site

Last verified 3 August 2026

About AFI Docs

AFI DOCS is the American Film Institute documentary festival historically held in Washington, DC.

AFI Docs submission FAQ

Does AFI Docs require a premiere?

No premiere requirement. AFI Docs accepts films that have screened elsewhere.

Where is AFI Docs held?

AFI Docs takes place in Washington DC, United States.

Is AFI Docs a scam, or is it legitimate?

AFI Docs is a legitimate, established film festival: it is listed in Circkit's curated, human-vetted festival database, which deliberately excludes known scam festivals and certificate mills; it ranks among the upper tiers of the festival circuit. As with any festival, confirm the current deadline and fee on the official site before you pay. You can also run AFI Docs through Circkit's free Scam Radar for an independent safety check.

Want an independent check? Run AFI Docs through the free Scam Radar.

Is AFI Docs right for your film?

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