Austin Film Festival

This October 16-23, the Austin Film Festival again showcases the very best that the city has to offer – convenient downtown venues, fun parties at Austin’s fine bars and restaurants, and community partnerships – while presenting exclusive and interactive movie events.

$42 Film Pass gets you into:

Opening Night Premiere;

Centerpiece Premiere;

Closing Night Premiere; and

190+ movies in between. 

Or, upgrade to a Badge (various levels and prices) and get:

all of the advantages of the Film Pass with priority entry into films; and

daytime panels with unparalleled networking opportunities; and

insider access to the best screenwriters and filmmakers in the industry; and

entry to the exclusive late-night parties where you just might meet America Ferrera, Wes Anderson, Oliver Stone, Mike Judge, Luke Wilson, and more.

The Film Festival & Conference features a four-day conference, eight days of films, and social events for filmmakers, screenwriters and film lovers.  With more than 80 panels and almost 200 films led by over 100 industry professionals - screenwriters, filmmakers, agents, producers, the Festival & Conference provides registrants with unparalleled networking opportunities and access to the best writers and filmmakers in the field.

 “The Austin Film Festival was overwhelming in the best sense of the word. There was constant interaction between industry professionals, aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters and filmgoers that generated an undeniable energy. I left Austin with a renewed passion for my own scripts and an eagerness to continue creating quality work.”

- John Arlotto, 2007 Narrative Short Film Jury Winner

The Film Festival boasts an outstanding program of narrative, animation and documentary features and shorts, including premieres, advanced screenings, and independent films complemented by Q&A sessions with cast members and filmmakers.

 “Austin is the fun festival.  Everyone – attendees, staff, filmmakers – comes for the love of the movies!  I can’t wait to come back.”

- David Wain, writer, actor, director Wet Hot American Summer, Comedy Central’s Stella

The Conference conducts inspiring and interactive panels on the business and core elements of screenwriting and filmmaking. In its second decade, the Conference remains dedicated to unique programming, ensuring that panels address current trends, hot topics, and new developments in media, like gaming and original programming for the web and cell phones, the effects of the writers’ strike, and more.

“My Austin experience was truly inspiring.  Where else can you debate the role of the villain in contemporary TV writing, commiserate over the lack of smart PG-rated films and then go on to argue the limits of the three act story structure – all before 11am.”

-          Tim Johnson, director Over the Hedge

Throughout the week-long event, the Film Festival & Conference offers numerous fun parties and networking events where people relax, partnerships get formed, and deals get made.

Past participants of the Festival & Conference include Wes Anderson, Aline Brosh McKenna, James L. Brooks, Joel & Ethan Coen, Russell Crowe, Tom Fontana, Jessica Bendinger, Paul & Chris Weitz, Barry Levinson, Judd Apatow, Shane Black, Darren Star, Robert Duvall, Buck Henry, Jake Kasdan, Dennis Hopper, Gary David Goldberg, Robert Altman, Lawrence Kasdan, John Landis, Claire Danes, Jason Reitman, Horton Foote, Garry Shandling, Susannah Grant, Bryan Singer, Oliver Stone, Sandra Bullock, Jason Schwartzman, David Chase, Harold Ramis, Owen Wilson, and Sydney Pollack.