An automatic film development apparatus(1) comprises a cartridge case(2) for carrying a group of film cartridges loaded with undeveloped films; a feeder unit for storing a plurality of the cartridge cases and delivering them one by one; an unloading station(4) for unloading a sheet of undeveloped film from its film cartridge in the cartridge case; a rewinding station(6) for rewinding the undeveloped film sheet into a takeup cartridge(7); a splicer unit(8) for joining one end of the undeveloped film sheet from the takeup cartridge with a short film leader(9) for guiding the film sheet; a film leader supply unit for feeding the short film leader one at the time; a development unit(10) for developing the undeveloped film sheet joined with the short film leader; a separator unit(11) for separating a developed film sheet from the short film leader; a loading station(13) for loading back the developed film sheet separated from the short film leader into its film cartridge; a conveying means(12) for conveying the cartridge case filled with the film unloaded cartridges from the unloading station to the loading station; and a leader receiver unit(14) for collecting the short film leaders separated from the developed film sheets.