Fall and Winter are always a wonderful time for film fans in Austin, with film festivals almost every weekend covering a range of genres and distinct visions. From horror and sci-fi at Fantastic Fest, to the screenwriter-centric flicks featured at the Austin Film Festival there are a variety of unique festivals for cinephiles to explore. Here’s our rundown of Fall and Winter film festivals, so you can plan your viewing schedule over the next few months in Austin.
Fantastic Fest. Credit Jack Plunkett.
SEPTEMBER
9/12/24
Austin Under The Stars Film Festival
Austin's first outdoor film festival, Austin Under the Stars Film Festival mixes films, live music and socializing. Viewers can experience photos on the red carpet, filmmaker Q&A's, networking, an awards ceremony, and incredible indie films.
9/14/24
Austin Spotlight Film Festival
Austin Spotlight Film Festival is an annual international film festival held at Alamo Drafthouse Mueller featuring short films, music videos, trailers, and kickstarters.
9/19/24 - 9/26/24
Fantastic Fest
Fantastic Fest is the Alamo Drafthouse's annual genre festival featuring horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, Asian and cult films from around the world. The world-renowned festival hosts many writers, directors and actors, both well-established and up-and-coming. A notable feature of this festival is the inclusion of secret screenings, themed parties, outings and film-themed feasts.
9/28/24
GTX Film Festival
Based just north of Austin in Georgetown, GTX Film strives to inform and educate filmmakers through quality events featuring industry professionals as speakers and panelists who discuss topics related to writing, directing and producing content for the moving image industry.
Austin Under the Stars Film Festival. Credit Anthony Lopez.
OCTOBER
10/17/24
Austin Comedy Short Film Festival
The Austin Comedy Short Film Festival is a unique forum for international independent filmmakers to showcase their short comedy films.
10/17/24 - 10/20/24
Lost River Film Festival
Taking place south of Austin in San Marcos and the adjacent 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 and live music.
10/24/24 - 10/31/24
Austin Film Festival
Austin Film Festival features top-billed films and indies alike. For the past 30 years, the conference has focused on the craft of filmmaking with a who’s who of Hollywood talent speaking on panels. The festival was the first to put the focus on the original creators - the screenwriter.
Courtesy of the Austin Jewish Film Festival.
NOVEMBER
11/7/24 - 11/10/24
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.
11/7/24 - 11/17/24
Austin Jewish Film Festival
The Austin Jewish Film Festival presents the best Jewish films from the U.S. and around the world, to entertain and educate cinephiles. The festival also provides complementary programs throughout the year to enhance the cinematic and cultural experience.
Sound Unseen. Credit to Photos by Wildman.
DECEMBER
12/13/24 - 12/17/24
Sound Unseen
Sound Unseen is a unique, cutting edge “films-on-music” festival, bringing together both worlds with the best in documentaries, short films, and music videos, while also showcasing rare concert footage, panels, and live music.
JANUARY
TBA
Austin Indie Fest
Austin Indie Fest fills a major gap in the festival industry by creating a space for new filmmakers who want to compete in a high quality Film Festival, but aren't quite ready for larger festivals.
FEBURARY
2/13/25 - 2/15/25
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.
Learn more about film festivals happening year round in Austin here.
