what's happeningAustin.
Back to events
Austin Film Festival
TODAY · All day

Austin Film Festival

Thursday, October 29 at Downtown Austin, Austin

Downtown Austin $85

About this event

The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a premier annual event that celebrates the art of storytelling through film, television, and digital media. Known for its focus on the craft of screenwriting, AFF brings together industry professionals, emerging filmmakers, and movie enthusiasts from around the world. The festival features an impressive lineup of film screenings, from independent features to world premieres, along with Q&A sessions with directors, writers, and actors. Attendees also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops, panels, and discussions that explore the intricate process of creating compelling narratives, making AFF a valuable experience for storytellers at every level. In addition to its screenings and workshops, the Austin Film Festival offers unique networking opportunities through its renowned conference. This part of the event allows aspiring writers and filmmakers to connect directly with hundreds of seasoned industry professionals, including top-tier screenwriters, producers, and agents. The conference is a space where creative collaborations are fostered, offering invaluable insights into the business side of the entertainment industry. With its perfect blend of education, inspiration, and entertainment, AFF is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about storytelling in all its forms. Kick off the festival and conference at their annual Film & Food fundraising party, open to both festival goers and the public. Past participants of the Festival & Conference include Robert Altman, Robert Duvall, Greta Gerwig, Susannah Grant, Buck Henry, Walter Hill, Barry Josephson, Lawrence Kasdan, Sydney Pollack, Natalie Portman, Harold Ramis, Susan Sarandon, Gary Shandling, Caroline Thompson, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Larry Wilmore, to name just a few. To learn more about the Austin Film Festival check out the Austin Insider Blog.

What to expect

The festival has two parts. Film screenings include independent features and premieres, often with Q&As with the directors, writers and actors. The writers conference adds panels, workshops and pitch sessions, held in downtown hotel ballrooms and nearby church halls. Past schedules have included script-to-screen breakdowns, writers-room conversations and live podcast tapings. Venues in recent years have included the Omni Austin Downtown, the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta and the State Theatre.

Why go

The craft of writing is the focus here, so the conversations tend to be practical. The conference gives aspiring writers and filmmakers direct access to hundreds of working screenwriters, producers and agents. Past guests have included Greta Gerwig, Natalie Portman, Lawrence Kasdan and Harold Ramis. A Film & Food fundraising party kicks things off and is open to the public as well as festival goers.

Where

Downtown Austin · Austin TXDirections
Find your next plan

Discover Austin.

Austin Film Festival at Downtown Austin · Oct 29