The annual Austin Film Festival (AFF) returns October 29 - November 5, 2026, with the renowned writers conference and a full week of film premieres. For the past 33 years, the conference has focused on the craft of filmmaking, with a who’s who of Hollywood talent speaking on panels about screenwriting, production and navigating the industry. The 2025 festival featured great screenings and sessions and the 2026 festival will be no different, so keep reading to find out more the event.
Credit Jack Plunkett.
Screenings
When it comes to screenings, AFF showcases a diverse array of films, from independent productions to world premieres, ensuring a rich cinematic experience for attendees. Films in competition are shown alongside special out-of-competition screenings, which often include high-profile titles, sneak previews, and retrospectives. Many screenings are followed by Q&A sessions with filmmakers, allowing audiences to gain deeper insights into the creative process. AFF also emphasizes storytelling through its curated programming, which highlights films that excel in narrative structure, character development, and emotional resonance.
In years past there have been several premieres for locally-made films, as well as a handful of films with Austin connections. Past festival headliners have included Wes Anderson's newsroom comedy The French Dispatch; C'Mon C'Mon, Mike Mills' follow-up to 20th Century Women, starring Joaquin Phoenix; festival circuit hit The Same Storm; and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir: Part II.
Special premieres for the 2026 festival will be announced closer to the event date. Visit austinfilmfestival.com to stay up-to-date on all 2026 film announcements.
Awards
The festival hands out numerous accolades, with the centerpiece being the Screenplay and Teleplay Competitions, which honor outstanding original screenwriting in both feature films and television. These competitions are highly regarded in the industry, often serving as a launching pad for emerging writers. AFF also offers awards for feature films, documentaries, short films, and student films, with categories that range from Drama and Comedy to Horror and Sci-Fi. Additionally, the festival recognizes accomplished writers and filmmakers with career achievement awards, such as the Distinguished Screenwriter Award and the Outstanding Television Writer Award, acknowledging those who have made a lasting impact on the world of storytelling.
Special Events
Each year, Austin Film Festival hosts Film & Food as an unofficial kick-off to the festival. Open to the public, this event brings together filmmakers, producers, celebrities, and foodies from across the globe to celebrate the arts of filmmaking and screenwriting.
AFF Writers Conference
For those who love storytelling, the AFF Writers Conference offers four days of panels, workshops and networking, sure to help you sharpen your skills. Learn more about researching and editing stories, creating funding for films and working collaboratively with other writers.
The Austin Film Festival Conference offers a deep dive into the art, craft, and business of storytelling. The conference features a series of panels, roundtable discussions and hands-on workshops led by accomplished writers, filmmakers, producers, and industry executives. Covering a wide range of topics, from the creative process behind screenwriting to the nuances of pitching and navigating the business side of Hollywood, the conference provides invaluable insight for both aspiring and established storytellers.
Tickets
There is always a stellar lineup of flicks for everyone to enjoy at the Austin Film Festival. Learn about the art of creating film and television through the conference panels or just watch great films. Visit the AFF website to learn more about conference badge options, film passes and more.
