Find out more about/Submit to our competitions:
Austin Film Festival’s Script and Film Competitions
Upcoming Deadlines
Film Competition – Regular Deadline 5/20/26
Screenplay & Teleplay Competition – Regular Deadline 4/24/26
Produced Digital Series Competition – Regular Deadline 5/20/26
Scripted Digital Series Competition – Regular Deadline 4/24/26
Fiction Podcast Script Competition – Regular Deadline 4/24/26
Playwriting Competition – Regular Deadline 4/24/26
AFF’s Annual Script and Film Competitions are perhaps the most critical embodiment of our mission – to further the art and craft of storytelling by inspiring and championing the work of writers, filmmakers, and all artists who use written and visual language to tell a story. A cornerstone of our programming, the Annual Competitions identify, embolden, and celebrate the talents of top emerging writers and filmmakers each year. Much more than just the famous bronze typewriter award, AFF winners utilize their AFF accolades to secure agents, representation, film distribution and to skyrocket their careers.
Read more about the 2025 competition winners in Deadline!
AFF competitions seek to do much more than honor winners but increase the visibility of the visionary writers and filmmakers just on the cusp of a breakthrough.
Screenplay Competition Deadlines
Feature Screenplay
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 4/24/26
Late Deadline: 5/27/26
Short Screenplay & Teleplay
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 4/24/26
Late Deadline: 5/27/26
Scripted Digital Series
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 4/24/26
Late Deadline: 5/27/26
Fiction Podcast
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 4/24/26
Late Deadline: 5/27/26
Playwriting
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 4/24/26
Late Deadline: 5/27/26
Film Competition Deadlines
Feature & Short Film –
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 5/20/26
Late Deadline: 6/19/26
Extended Deadline: 7/1/26
Produced Digital Series
Early Bird Deadline: 3/27/26
Regular Deadline: 5/20/26
Late Deadline: 6/19/26
Extended Deadline: 7/1/26
All deadlines happen at 11:59 PM Central Daylight Time
Need help?
For questions regarding submissions, reader opportunities, and special inquiries, please email our Script Department Manager at scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
For all film inquiries please reach out to programming@austinfilmfestival.com.