As the seasons shift and the curtain falls on summer’s heat, Austin steps into the spotlight—not just as the capital of cool, but as the capital of cinema. A dazzling lineup of fall and winter film festivals lights up the city, showcasing visionary storytelling, genre-bending brilliance, and indie gems you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you're into spine-tingling sci-fi at Fantastic Fest or drawn to the art of screenwriting at the Austin Film Festival, there’s something for every film fan. Each weekend brings a new cinematic adventure—from cult classic screenings to red carpet world premieres. Whether you’re a local cinephile or flying in for the festivities, dive into our curated roundup and start plotting your must-see watchlist.

September

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9/13/25
Austin Under The Stars Film Festival
Austin Under the Stars Film Festival has been setting the stage for incredible showcases for eight years, and continues this year at the renowned AFS Cinema. Audiences can experience photos on the red carpet, filmmaker Q&A's, networking opportunities, an awards ceremony, and an exciting slate of indie films.

Image of a crowd of people in a movie theater from the premier of a movie at Fantastic Fest.Fantastic Fest. Credit to Jack Plunkett.

9/18/25 - 9/25/25
Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the US, championing challenging and thought-provoking cinema while celebrating new voices and new stories from filmmakers around the world. This year is the Alamo Drafthouse-based festival’s 20th anniversary edition! Notable features of this festival (specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action, and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world) include: secret screenings, themed parties, thrilling world premieres, live podcast recordings, film-themed feasts, and more.

9/20/25
Austin Spotlight Film Festival
Austin Spotlight Film Festival is an annual international film festival held in Austin, featuring all types of films, including narrative, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentaries, music videos, feature-length films, and even trailers.

9/20/25
Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival and Short Film Competition
The Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival and Short Film Competition aims to change the picture of disability through film. The top cinematic celebration of disability in the state, the Festival features the work of independent filmmakers from around the world, from documentaries to animated shorts to the avant-garde. The festival provides a unique and entertaining way to positively and accurately view disability.

9/27/25
GTX Film Festival
Based just north of Austin in Georgetown, Texas, GTX Film Festival celebrates independent filmmakers from around the world, bringing creative storytelling to the heart of Texas. The festival aims to showcase the art of filmmaking and highlight cinema as a cultural force that connects and inspires audiences, artists, and communities alike. 

October

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10/09/25 - 10/11/25
Austin Horror Film Festival 
The Austin Horror Film Festival is a premier horror film festival in the heart of Bat City dedicated to showcasing the very best in independent horror filmmaking.

10/16/25 - 10/19/25
aGLIFF Prism Film Festival
aGLIFF exhibits and supports the best in recent LGBTQIA+ international, national, and regional films through its annual Prism Film Festival. The festival showcases features and shorts, narratives, documentaries, music videos, and the avant-garde. Festival events connect members of the community, filmmakers to each other and filmmakers to the community. Conversations and panels explore current political and social trends; and increasingly the festival serves as a major showcase for independent films from filmmakers across America and the International world.

10/17/25
AVAFEST - Austin Veteran/ Military Film Festival
The Austin Veteran/Military Film Festival uplifts veterans, military personnel, and their families by providing a platform to tell the stories they capture on film and through videography. The 2nd annual Austin Veteran/Military Film Festival, sponsored by the Veterans Suicide Prevention Channel (VSPChannel), is a part of the 7th Annual Austin Veteran Arts Festival (AVAFEST). 

10/23/25 - 10/30/25
Austin Film Festival
Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country, Austin Film Festival shines the spotlight on top-billed films and indies alike along with a renowned conference that focuses on screenwriting. Currently in its 32nd year, Austin Film Festival plays host to the largest screenwriters conference in the world, featuring over 200 panelists and panels that, along with film and television, also explore storytelling mediums such as plays, podcasts, and digital series.  With over 150 regional, national and world premieres each year, Austin Film Festival screens everything from highly anticipated Hollywood fare to breakthrough independent filmmaking.

Image of four people on a panel at the Austin Jewish Film Festival.Courtesy of the Austin Jewish Film Festival.

10/30/25 - 11/09/25
Austin Jewish Film Festival 
The Austin Jewish Film Festival promotes the love of Jewish films to the Central Texas community by screening movies and programming other events related to movies.

November

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11/06/25 - 11/09/25
Austin Polish Film Festival
The Austin Polish Society presents their annual film festival featuring carefully curated narrative, documentaries, animation and shorts film, as well as an amazing Polish film poster exhibit.

11/08/25
Austin Short Film Festival
The Austin Short Film Festival is a top-tier cinematic celebration in the heart of Texas, where film buffs and creators unite! With a dazzling array of international independent short films and videos of all genres, this festival showcases the best of the best, including music videos, series pilots, films, and mockumentary videos.

11/14/25 - 11/16/25
Ethereal Horror Fest
Born from a passion for the eerie and a dedication to the craft of horror filmmaking, the Ethereal Horror Fest is an indie genre film festival, celebrating visionary storytelling and spine-chilling cinema in Austin. With free student submissions, extensive media exposure, and exclusive networking opportunities, the festival empowers filmmakers to shine.

11/21/25 - 11/29/25
Austin Indie Fest
Austin Indie Fest fills a major gap, finding a place for new film makers who want to compete in a high quality film festival, but aren't quite ready for larger showcases.

January

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1/29/26 - 1/31/26
Austin Revolution Film Festival
The Austin Revolution Film Festival showcases independent films from all over the world, along with hosting networking events and parties for attendees.

February

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2/06/26 - 2/08/26
Lost River Film Festival
Taking place south of Austin in San Marcos (with spinoff screenings in the nearby communities of Lockhart and Seguin), the Lost River Film Fest is soaked in a youthful, progressive, small-town-Texas vibe, providing a splendid spotlight on independent cinema, live music and much more. 

Dorian Wood performing on stage with all female mariachi band in background at OUTsider Fest 2019Dorian Wood. Courtesy of OUTsider Fest. 

2/18/26 - 2/22/26
OUTsider LGBTQIA Festival
OUTsider showcases LGBTQIA film and art via unique festival experiences in order to educate and entertain the public as well as to support the creative endeavors of LGBTQIA artists.

Learn more about Austin area film festivals happening year-round here.

Article contributed by Kim LeBlanc, Film Marketing Manager | Austin Film Commission