Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Festival (AFF) was founded in 1994 and was the first organization of its kind to focus on writers’ creative contributions to film. Initially, AFF was made up of the Heart of Film Screenwriters Conference and functioned to launch the careers of screenwriters, who historically have been underrepresented within the film industry. Since then, AFF has grown to serve all filmmakers and has helped Austin’s arts community by creating year-round programming that recognizes the art and value of storytelling through film. Today AFF supports the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships.

AFF is probably best known for its annual October Austin Film Festival & Conference. The Film Festival & Conference was the first event of its kind to bring professional and amateur screenwriters together to celebrate the role of screenplays in filmmaking and host conversations focusing on the extensive possibilities that exist for screenwriters in both television and film. The Conference brings producers, agents and screenwriters together to instigate the sale of screenplays; hundreds of writers’ groups, services and festivals have followed the Conference’s lead over the past decade.