Known as “The Writer’s Festival” since its inception 20 years ago, Austin Film Festival celebrates films built on strong storytelling.  AFF recognizes the importance of the creator at the core of filmmaking and screens the highest caliber narrative, documentary, and animated films — all of which demonstrate the power of a well-told story.

AFF provides filmmakers an invaluable platform among industry professionals and film-lovers.  Offering A-list jurors, amazing venues, and an opportunity to network and learn, Austin Film Festival is the place to be this October.  As AFF embarks on its 20th Anniversary, everything about the Festival & Conference will be bigger and brighter (or darker if it is more appropriate).  A new DARK MATTERS competition category has been added to highlight horror films.  All of AFF’s juried categories—Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Narrative Shorts, Student Shorts, Animated Shorts and Documentary Shorts—have increased cash awards.  In addition to the competitions, all submissions will be eligible to screen out-of-competition in special sections such as Comedy Vanguard or the Texas Independents Series.  On top of all that, the winning films in the Narrative Short and Animated Short categories are Academy Award®-eligible!

Earlybird entry fee if postmarked by May 1, 2013 — $50
Regular entry fee if postmarked by June 15, 2013 — $60
Late entry fee if postmarked by July 15, 2013 — $75

AWARDS
1st Place Winners in both the Narrative Feature Category and Documentary Feature Category receive a cash prize of $2,500; reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2013 AFF; reimbursement (up to $500) for stay at an AFF hotel during the 2013 Festival; and the AFF Bronze Typewriter Award. The 1st Place Winner in the Dark Matters Feature Category receives a cash prize of $1,000; reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2013 AFF; reimbursement (up to $500) for stay at an AFF hotel during the 2013 Festival; and the AFF Bronze Typewriter Award.

For Shorts, 1st Place Winners receive a cash prize of $1,000 (Narrative Short Category only) or $500 (Narrative Student Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short Categories); reimbursement (up to $500) of one round- trip air fare to Austin to attend the 2013 AFF; reimbursement (up to $500) for stay at an AFF hotel during the 2013 Festival; and the AFF Bronze Typewriter Award.

In addition, all films are eligible for the Audience Award in their respective categories. 

We look forward to receiving any entries you all want to send us. I’ll be checking this post frequently and I am happy to answer any questions or check out our FAQ: http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/submit/film/faq/

Sincerely,

Jordan Arroyo
Film Department Intern
Austin Film Festival

You would think this festival could in the very least show Filmmakers a little consideration in-kind by at least acknowledging that they received a film submission!

Shows pretty poor taste and disregard on the part of this festival and I think that is what bothers me the most.

The festival did at least provide screenings for some films which had some connection to Indiana. Unfortunately, this festival also has it’s share of larger films that I would question as real indie films.

Overall, not recommended for independent films. May be a good stop for larger films launched from another festival.

Stars

Idyllwild is an astounding little village, and the community is a magnet to artists – painters, poets, musicians…and filmmakers. The organizers, Steve Savage and Phil Calderone are filmmakers in their own right. They love film, and it shows with the care and dedication they invest in this gem of a festival. The entire community gets involved during festival week. The restaurants, hotels and local businesses open their arms to all who visit. I got MY t-shirt!

The Rustic Theatre is a classic old theatre – like the ones I went to as a kid to see a western or horror flick. With updated sound and projection, it was the perfect venue to screen the festival films. The festival is in January so the theatre is bit on the chilly side, but they provide blankies for all who come! Cozy!

They also screen films at a venue called AstroCamp, an awesome planetarium that makes seeing a film an otherwordly experience.

The awards ceremony was fun and casual, with some of the local restaurants remaining open for after-parties and industry shmoozing. The cast and crew from our little movie – POSEY starring Sally Kirkland (who won Best Actress) – hung out at Cafe Aroma for a late night dinner (and champagne, graciously provided by Steve Savage!).

Idyllwild CinemaFest is a great festival, but more than that, if you are lucky enough to have your film screen there, it’s more like a mini-holiday in the snow-capped mountains of Idyllwild – Southern California’s best kept secret!

Good luck!

Stars

thanks!
Lena

Stars