Austin Film Festival
A writer-focused festival celebrating the art of screenwriting alongside independent film
Overview
The Austin Film Festival uniquely combines a film festival with one of the most respected screenwriting conferences in the world. This dual focus on written storytelling and finished films makes it a distinctive event that attracts both filmmakers and screenwriters.
The festival programs narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and a screenplay competition that has launched many writing careers. The conference component features panels with working screenwriters, showrunners, and industry professionals.
How It Works
Austin's creative community and relatively affordable cost of living have made the city a growing hub for film production. The festival benefits from this energy, drawing engaged local audiences alongside industry visitors.
Film submission fees range from approximately $25 to $60 depending on category and deadline. Screenplay competition fees are separate, and conference badges are available at various tiers for different levels of access.
Who Uses It
Especially valuable for actor-writers and filmmakers who also write their own material. The screenwriting conference component adds a dimension of craft-focused education that most festivals do not offer.
Pricing & Plans
Austin Film Festival film submission fees range from approximately $25-60 depending on category and deadline tier, while screenplay competition entry fees are separate and typically range from $30-70 depending on the script category and submission deadline. Conference badges, which provide access to the screenwriting panels, workshops, and industry networking events, range from approximately $200-750 depending on the access tier and early-bird pricing. Individual screening tickets are available for those who want to attend specific films without purchasing a full conference badge. Austin's accommodation costs are moderate compared to major festival cities, with hotel rates during the October festival typically ranging from $150-300 per night in downtown Austin. The conference component represents the festival's most distinctive value proposition, as the multi-day program of panels, roundtables, and one-on-one sessions with working screenwriters and industry professionals provides intensive professional development that justifies the badge investment. The combined cost of conference badge, accommodation, and travel represents a significant investment, but the educational and networking value of the screenwriting conference makes it competitive with dedicated screenwriting workshops and retreats.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The Austin Film Festival's unique combination of a film festival and screenwriting conference creates an environment where the craft of storytelling is valued above all else, making it uniquely relevant for actor-writers, writer-directors, and filmmakers who prioritize narrative craft in their work. The screenwriting conference panels feature genuine insider knowledge from working screenwriters, showrunners, and development executives who share practical, career-relevant advice rather than theoretical concepts, creating one of the most valuable educational experiences available for aspiring and working writers. The screenplay competition has launched numerous writing careers, with past winners and finalists going on to staff writing positions, production deals, and representation at major agencies and management companies. Austin's creative, collaborative culture creates a festival atmosphere that encourages genuine connection and mentorship between established professionals and emerging creators, unlike more transactional industry events. The festival attracts a distinctive audience of writer-filmmakers and storytelling-focused creators who appreciate narrative depth, character development, and script quality, providing an ideal viewing context for dialogue-driven and story-forward films. The October timing provides a late-season festival option for films that missed earlier deadlines or that benefit from a writer-focused audience and programming context.
What Could Be Better
The Austin Film Festival's dual identity as both a film festival and screenwriting conference can create a somewhat bifurcated experience, where film screenings and conference events compete for attendees' time and attention, and neither component receives the full dedication that a single-focus event would provide. The festival's industry profile for film distribution and acquisitions is modest compared to Sundance, TIFF, or even SXSW (Austin's other major festival), meaning film submissions are unlikely to generate significant distribution attention or deals. The screenplay competition, while respected, faces intense competition from other screenwriting contests including the Nicholl Fellowship, Austin's former competitor, and the sheer number of screenwriting competitions can dilute the impact of any single win. The conference badge cost represents a meaningful financial commitment, and filmmakers who are solely interested in screening their work rather than the conference programming may find better value at festivals focused exclusively on film exhibition. Austin's October timing overlaps with multiple other fall festivals including BFI London, NYFF, and regional US events, creating competition for both submissions and press attention. The festival's reputation is strongest within the screenwriting community and may carry less weight with film industry professionals who are not connected to the writing world.
Our Recommendation
Austin Film Festival is highly recommended for screenwriters, actor-writers, and filmmakers who prioritize storytelling craft and want both a festival screening and an immersive professional development experience focused on the art of writing. The festival is ideal for filmmakers whose work is dialogue-driven, character-focused, or script-forward, as the storytelling-oriented audience and programming context appreciate exactly these qualities. If you are primarily a screenwriter looking for industry exposure and professional development, the screenplay competition and conference combination provides one of the best opportunities available, potentially rivaling dedicated screenwriting workshops at a fraction of the cost. For filmmakers who want their film screened in a festival context but are not interested in the screenwriting conference, other festivals may provide more film-focused value. Actor-writers and hyphenate creators should particularly prioritize Austin, as the festival's appreciation for multi-talented creators and its supportive community create a welcoming environment for those who work across disciplines.
Pro Tips
Submit to both the film festival and screenplay competition if applicable — the dual recognition of having a film screened and a script selected demonstrates comprehensive creative ability that impresses industry professionals attending the conference. Purchase a conference badge with the highest access tier you can afford, as the most valuable networking and educational sessions require premium accreditation, and the return on investment from career-relevant connections typically far exceeds the badge cost. Prepare a polished pitch for your next project to present during networking opportunities and one-on-one sessions, as the conference specifically creates opportunities for emerging writers to connect with industry professionals who can advance their careers. Attend panels and roundtables outside your primary interest area — if you are primarily a screenwriter, attend filmmaker sessions, and vice versa — as the cross-pollination between writing and directing craft is the festival's most unique educational value. Follow up with every professional contact you make at the conference within one week of the festival's end, as the connections made during the intensive conference environment are significantly more valuable if they are nurtured promptly rather than allowed to fade.