Recently, we caught up with Christopher Holt, writer of 27 Cows, the winning script of the 2025 Austin Film Festival Wonder Project | Stand Together Fellowship. Before winning at the 2025 Festival, Christopher workshopped 27 Cows with the AFF Coverage Program. Read more about his experience below.
Since winning at the 2025 Austin Film Festival, Christopher is now one of the few selected writers working with the Wonder Project in a financially compensated, 9-month fellowship. In this inaugural fellowship class, writers will develop stories overseen by Producer and Principle at Latcham Pictures, Jeremy Latcham, who helped launch the Marvel Studios Writer’s Program.
- How often do you use coverage services for your scripts?
Rarely. In my experience it’s hard to find coverage that offers deep, constructive, and actionable feedback. A lot of services tend to be either too generic or too surface-level to be truly helpful.
- Why did you go to AFF’s coverage service?
AFF has a reputation for thoughtful, craft-focused feedback. I needed notes that weren’t generic. AFF’s coverage service is also known for being rigorous and story-centered, so it felt like the right place to get an honest read. I wasn’t disappointed.
- Was the feedback you received from AFF helpful in your revision?
Yes. The feedback helped me identify story issues I couldn’t see on my own — particularly around character motivation and pacing. The notes were specific enough to act on, and they gave me a clearer path into the rewrite. I am convinced that the changes I made helped me to progress the script to the point where it ended up winning at the Festival. The notes also gave me the confidence to submit the script to the competition, I wouldn’t have thought it was in with a shot without the positive feedback I got.
- Would you recommend coverage to other writers?
Absolutely. The coverage I received helped me to clarify blind spots, strengthen structure, and push a draft to the next level. It’s worth it — as long as the notes are specific and grounded in craft. Generic feedback isn’t helpful, but when a reader can point to precise issues in character, structure, or theme, it can make a real difference.
The Austin Film Festival’s Coverage Program offers writers a powerful way to elevate their craft and advance their careers. By receiving detailed, professional feedback from experienced readers, participants gain clear insights into their script’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. The program provides industry-caliber notes that can sharpen storytelling skills, strengthen structure and character development, and help writers better understand how their work might be received in a competitive marketplace. Whether you’re polishing a draft for competitions, preparing to pitch, or simply aiming to improve, AFF’s Coverage Program delivers constructive guidance that empowers writers to take their projects to the next level.
Find out more about AFF’s Coverage Program below: