Next year will make history. Today’s international climate fosters social, economic, and political revolution, yielding stories of incomparable gravity. Independent filmmakers continue to connect the world with these stories, and the Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) extends to these voices a platform four decades in the making.

“As the U.S. approaches a pivotal election year, this 40th anniversary lineup builds upon six feature films whose subjects, communities, and conflicts resonate with Atlanta and the world beyond,” said Kristy Breneman, ATLFF Creative Director and Features Programmer. Of this first slate, two are narratives and four are documentaries.

All six were selected from an impressive pool of over 4,750 submissions—an ATLFF all-time record. The films and their makers comprise an international showcase, together representing Bangladesh, Canada, India, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, and the United States.

Four of the features mark directorial debuts. Directed by Ted Marcus, “Like Lambs” is a dramatic narrative thriller that illustrates a student revolution. “Romeo is Bleeding,” directed by Jason Zeldes, follows Donté Clark’s quest to restore peace in his Richmond, CA streets. “Sink” is a narrative directed by Brett Michael Innes that adapts his novel about a Mozambican domestic worker, her South African employers, and the tragedy that befalls them. “Speed Sisters” is Amber Fares’ documentary tale about the first all-female race car driving team in the Middle East.

“Driving With Selvi” and “A Journey of A Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers,” documentaries from India and Bangladesh respectively, feature strong female subjects from Georgia’s fastest growing demographic.

ATLFF ‘16 meanwhile marks the first year within the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS), a fortified organization title birthed in October of 2015. The ATLFS name reflects a year-round mission to lead the community in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. Connection with a filmmaker dramatically magnifies the impact of his or her moving images, and ATLFF strives to bring our filmmakers to Atlanta no matter where they are in the world. This objective introduces a story’s audience to its storyteller, enriching the audience experience with access to the source of passion, context, and craft.

The 40th annual Atlanta Film Festival takes place April 1-10th, 2016. The festival is currently conducting its third annual and largest ever Kickstarter campaign to bring filmmakers to the festival. (atlantafilmfestival.com/fund) #40Kin40Days