2025 #GSF2 Activations
From revolutionary writing workshops to full-scale interactive virtual reality exhibits, this year’s film festival has so much to offer.
Learn more about this year’s activations
This year hosts exclusive film premieres, immersive VR installations, and interactive community art projects. Attendees will enjoy live cultural performances, high-impact industry panels, and hands-on workshops for emerging filmmakers. GSF2 offers a wide range of memorable touch points that position sponsors at the heart of South Fulton’s creative economy
Translating Across Mediums
Moderated by Tisha Smith, Fulton County’s Public Art Manager, this discussion examines how artists and creators adapt stories across different mediums—film, visual art, performance, and digital platforms. Panelists will share strategies for maintaining authenticity, engaging audiences, and expanding the reach of their work.
Indigenous People’s Panel
Led by Yonasda Lonewolf, this panel explores the stories, perspectives, and creative practices of Indigenous artists and filmmakers. Attendees will gain insight into cultural preservation, representation, and the ways Indigenous communities are shaping contemporary storytelling.
Diaspora Filmmaking Panel
Led by filmmaker Rowena Portier Sutherland, this panel explores the art of telling stories across the African and global diaspora. Panelists will discuss how themes of identity, migration, memory, and cultural continuity shape their work, while highlighting the challenges and opportunities of creating films that connect communities across borders.
Letters to the Future Exhibit
This immersive installation reimagines the voices of tomorrow. A wall of CRT televisions will showcase youth short film submissions. Guided by local filmmaker Almighty Zion, attendees will also be invited to record personal video messages addressed to their future selves, transforming the exhibit into a living time capsule of dreams, reflections, and visions of what’s to come.
#GSF2 Youth Short Competition
Open to high school students in South Fulton high schools, this competition invites young filmmakers to showcase their original short films on the big screen. Selected films will premiere at the Global South Film Festival, giving students the chance to share their stories, creativity, and vision with the community.
Finance & Distribution Workshop
Join Krome Studios for a practical session on funding films and getting them to audiences. Learn how to secure financing, manage budgets, and navigate distribution channels to make your project sustainable and successful.
Interactive Djembe Sessions
Experience the heartbeat of West African tradition with this participatory drumming session led by Wontanara, Inc. Using the djembe, a drum known for its deep cultural roots and powerful sound, participants will learn rhythms that connect community, history, and spirit. This hands-on workshop invites everyone—regardless of skill level—to play, move, and feel the collective energy that drumming creates.
Film Permitting 101
Led by the City of South Fulton’s Community Development & Regulatory Affairs (CDRA) Department, this session introduces filmmakers to the basics of film permitting. Learn the step-by-step process for securing permits, understanding regulations, and working with the city to bring your production to life smoothly and legally.
Writing Workshop: Underground Railroads & Separated but United
Led by teacher and poet Nathan Wallace, this interactive workshop invites participants to explore creative writing as a tool for self-expression, liberation, and transformation. Using art as both inspiration and catalyst, attendees will write, reflect, and share stories that imagine new possibilities of freedom.
Become a Partner
Supporting GSF2 means investing in a premier cultural platform that amplifies diverse voices, drives economic growth, and positions South Fulton as a hub for international storytelling.