Founder Drew Sawyer talks the ATLFF opening night premiere of Idiots The Atlanta premiere of Idiots at ATLFF 50 (Photo by Mikey Smith) “It takes a village, and sometimes a village of lunatics to make a movie,” Moonshine Post Production founder Drew Sawyer humorously said upon taking the stage at the Atlanta Film Festival Opening Night, where he helped introduce a screening of Idiots to a sold-out crowd. Idiots – which follows two down-on-their-luck men forced to work togeth

A hidden-gem documentary that’ll make you yearn for yesteryear When We Were Live screens at ATLFF 50 The in-person run of the 50th Atlanta Film Festival has officially concluded, but the festivities are far from over. The virtual fest is in full swing, inviting audiences from all across the globe to watch some stellar selects from this year’s lineup. As you peruse the catalog, I’d like to recommend a lovely little documentary from the heart of Austin, Texas. When We Were Live

Writer-Director Jared Sprouse and co. give the inside scoop on their zany dark comedy The cast and crew of Party USA (Photo by Nico Hawthorne) Party USA is a firework of a film: it’s bold, it’s colorful, and it sure knows how to pack a punch. The dark comedy describes itself as “a downward spiral of red, white, and blue-collared chaos,” charting a disgruntled retail worker’s (Ainsley Seiger) journey to undo the fallout following an uncovered shift at a party store. Ahead of t

Writer-director Costa Karalis invites audiences to experience this North Florida “magic trick” Frogtown director Costa Karalis promoting the film at ATLFF 50 (Photo by Mikey Smith) If there’s one mission on filmmaker Costa Karalis’ mind, it’s to make movies unlike anything audiences have seen before. Karalis’ debut feature, Frogtown, had its Atlanta premiere on Saturday at the 50th Atlanta Film Festival. The film played to a sold-out audience, with a line of s

The writer-director crafts a darkly funny tale of love, secrets, and corporate power The cast and crew of Third at ATLFF 50 (Photo by Mikey Smith) A husband stuck in a rut. A wife hungry for more. A handsome stranger falling from the sky. What could possibly go wrong? Atlanta-based feature Third had its world premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival on Friday. Created with an insanely talented local crew, the film is a shocking tale of twists and turns that holds far more than

The R&B-pop hitmaker dishes on her newest album ATL's Jai'Len Josey releases her newest record Serial Romantic (Photo by Respective Collective) With her bold Southern flair and bubbly personality, Jai’Len Josey is a multi-talented artist from the heart of East Atlanta. The rising starlet is charming audiences with her brand-new album, Serial Romantic, and thanks to °1824, Art Seen ATL had the chance to chat with Josey ahead of the project’s release. Josey’s love of music bega

The band muses on Muscle ahead of their headlining gig at Eddie’s Attic Perfect Animal ahead of their headlining Eddie's Attic show (Photo by Mikey Smith) Perfect Animal is, in every sense, a dream team. The four-piece rock group has developed a reputation in the scene for their introspective lyrics, genre-bending instrumentation, and stellar production. Armed with a brand-new release (and several more on the way), the band is fully in their element and are gearing up for an

Executive Director Jessie Sparrow dives into the non-profit’s mission of belonging As the world looks towards the future of storytelling, Georgia’s own RE:IMAGINE ATL is on the front lines of fostering the next generation of creatives. What began as a music video summer camp quickly evolved into a media education and workforce development center that has serviced over 7,500 young people. Founded by Susan Spiccia in 2014, the non-profit offers courses, camps, and creative opp

The ATL band reminds us that “being a creative is our birthright.” Hungry for some headbanging? If you’re looking for a band that really knows how to rock, look no further than Bad Guru . The band is rooted in psychedelic grunge, taking inspiration from big-name groups Tool and Soundgarden, with a hint of more “obscure” stoner rock acts like Slomosa and Truckfighters. Before they opened for Hooked Like Helen at Smith’s Olde Bar, Art Seen ATL chatted with Bad Guru backstage ab

Honnie Korngold, founder of CineVantage Honnie Korngold has worn many hats. She’s the founder of Athens-based production company CineVantage , along with workforce development nonprofit PhilanthroFilms and the Georgia Storylab creator hub. As she’s watched the film industry shift, sink, and soar over the years, this producer learned a crucial lesson that’s kept her afloat: the important of pivoting. Originally from Los Angeles, Korngold got her start in travel events, orch

One of the most discussed voices in shoegaze talks social media success and storytelling in song Rising alternative artist Novulent (Photo by Siena Saba) Closing off their story-driven album trilogy, alternative rock artist Novulent released the final installment, VOL. 3 , today on all platforms. Nearly three years after the release of VOL. 1 , the Texas singer continues to develop their lo-fi aesthetics and connect with their fanbase, Novas, around the world. Art Seen ATL h

The alternative popstar talks cinema, collaborations, and Cocteau Twins for her upcoming project Sarah Kinsley for her new EP Fleeting (Photo by Florence Sullivan) With a sound that builds with each iterative release, Sarah Kinsley has made a name for herself as a singer, songwriter, and musician in the sphere of indie and electropop. Ahead of her new EP, Fleeting , and a performance in Atlanta on her next tour, Art Seen ATL was honored to attend °1824 ’ s press conferen

The multi-hyphenate challenges Georgians to shift the narrative surrounding the local arts scene Withdrawal director/writer/editor Aaron Strand Indie. In both movies and music, the term has lost much of its original meaning. What was once a proud signifier of independent, unconstrained production is now often minimized to a marker of genre or aesthetic. As big-budget companies continue to misconstrue the label for their own use, filmmaker Aaron Strand is here to show that tr

The "Critter Country" songstress shares the story behind her new EP Americana artist Meels talks with Art Seen ATL (Photo by Jim Hughes) Folk, Americana, and country are sewn together by a beautiful thread: storytelling. These genres are often recognized for their ability to communicate deep truths underneath creative allegories, parables, and fables. Fresh off the release of her Across the Raccoon Strait EP , Meels brings a little bit of twang, a handful of metaphors, and a

A Georgia-grown sports flick gears up for a groundbreaking national release If there’s one thing Signing Tony Raymond proves, it’s that good things come to those who wait. The film industry is notorious for overlooking the little guy. Though the studio system of Old Hollywood is long gone, the field is still dominated by big players. Investors tend to avoid taking chances on smaller projects and opt for familiar faces to fill seats. This weekend, sports dramedy Signing Tony

HAIM meets Halsey in this "alt-gay grief rock" outfit Kelly Romo at The Masquerade (Photo by Mikey Smith) Before the holidays kicked into high gear, fans braved the cold and ventured to Purgatory at The Masquerade to see Kelly Romo , a rising queer rock outfit out of Atlanta. Helmed by Kelly Romo herself (vocals/rhythm guitar/keys), the band consisted of Trae Berry (guitar), Julien Dorothy (bass), and special guest Sam Horwitz (drummer). Openers included 80s-synth squad Monta

Rock and roll gets a bewitching, queer-femme rebrand ATL rock outfit Cash Honey (Photo by Mikey Smith) July 2024 marked the first time I ever camped out for a show. Jack White. Terminal West. Sold out. A handful of student tickets at the door. My brother and I sat in the scorching Atlanta heat for three hours, fingers crossed and foreheads dripping as we prayed to make it inside. During our time on the sidewalk, we met Schuyler Heflin. A fellow musician and music nerd, she

A pop-punk trio from Milledgeville gets real about the "undying" local scene Milledgeville pop-punk outfit blue. (Photo by Mikey Smith) When faced with tragedy, it’s easy to feel alone. Though the wounds of loss may never totally heal, community and art can serve as a beacon of hope. Milledgeville’s own blue. knows this truth well, and they want you to know it, too. Together, Trevor Weaver (vocals/guitar), Tyler Brantley (bass), and Gavin Glover (drums) have created a head-b

Bassist Rafael Navejas talks tour and drops exclusive details on the group's upcoming album It’s difficult to say what truly separates the good artists from the great artists, but I think it has something to do with how they handle inspiration. Good artists merely imitate their predecessors. Great artists innovate, building something entirely unique to stand on the shoulders of those who came before them. Without a doubt, Enjambre falls into the latter group. Founded in Fres

The singer-songwriter discusses "Cosmic Country," faith, and staying grounded in the pursuit of art Ahead of his upcoming shows, Art Seen ATL was incredibly blessed to talk to Georgia-based singer-songwriter Tyler Lee Frush , an artist whose intimate lyricism and mesmerizing guitar stylings have captivated audiences in Atlanta, Woodstock, and beyond. I first encountered Tyler when his band performed at The Masquerade in March 2025. His authenticity and honesty mixed with his