Since our inception in 1994, our goal here at AFF has been not only to create a community where writers can connect and support one another, but also to build a bridge from craft to career. Along the way, we’ve been fortunate to cultivate a family of storytellers across multiple mediums who come together in both the pursuit and celebration of story. Below we are proud to highlight the career achievements of alumni from the Austin Film Festival’s competitions and Writers Conference.
Laura Adkin, director of the 2023 official selection Re-Uniting, to direct best-selling author Catherine McKenzie’s Out of Luck. The two met while attending AFF’s Ghost Ranch Writers Retreat in 2022.
AFF alum Jason Reitman and two-time Script Competition Semifinalist Ian Shorr team for supernatural thriller 71 Minutes to Sunrise.
2016 Narrative Short Jury Winner, Screenwriter To Watch, and AFF panelist Megan Park is in a bidding war for new film My Old Ass.
2025 Script Competition Finalist Jacob Marx Rice lands on Black List with The Valley of Hinnom
Michel Vlamis discusses the release of his 2024 Film Competition Official Selection Feature “Crossword.”
2024 Script Competition Semifinalist Olivia Jampol received a special mention at the Gotham Awards for her film, Homestalker.
2024 Script Competition Winner Vivian Kerr chosen to be represented by L.A.-based company Apollo Management International’s sales division focused on indie features.
2024 Stage Play Competition Finalist Naya James Sonnad selected for The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and FilmNation Entertainment’s New York Screenwriting Fellowship.
2024 Script Competition Finalist Ama Anane selected for NBCU’s highly selective TV Writers Program.
2021 Script Competition Finalist Warren Wagner selected for Blumhouse and K Period Media’s Screamwriting Fellows for Horror Film & TV Writing Program.
2018 Drama Feature Horror Award Finalist Davey Morrison co-writes new horror feature film I See the Demon.
2018 Stage Play Competition Semifinalist Melissa Kong selected for 2025 Fox Entertainment Writers Incubator program.
2017 Script Competition Semifinalist Angie Nolan takes on Hallmark’s director mentorship program
2017 Script Competition Semifinalist and Writer, Garrett Ratcliff is joined by Til Schweiger and and Charlie Gillespie as cast for the thriller Contra.
2017 AFF Semifinalist Writer Chelsea Catalanotto brings Lana Condor on to her new project ‘Whodunnit’