AFF IS HEADED TO LOS ANGELES on SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH!

For the second year, Austin Film Festival, in partnership with the Academy Education and Nicholl Fellowships Programs, is pleased to present panels dedicated to launching your writing career.

On Saturday, April 8^th, join us at the Academy’s beautiful Linwood Dunn Theatre in Hollywood for an afternoon chock full of seasoned advice from emerging and established screenwriters, how they got their foot in the door, and how you can position yourself for success. Panels include How to Break In, featuring emerging talent from AFF’s Screenplay Competition and the Nicholl Fellowships, and How to Stay In, featuring established writers who have maintained a successful writing career. Confirmed panelists will be announced soon.

How to Break In: Becoming a Working Writer (12:30PM – 1:45PM)

Ah yes, “How do I break in?”, the quintessential question in the entire existence of the film business. So, how do you do it? There is not a singular path to launching a writing career but screenplay competitions and fellowship programs have consistently helped position up-and-coming writers for success. Join this discussion featuring writers who have utilized their recognition from the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition and the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting to become a working writer. They were once in your shoes (and perhaps still wearing them) agonizing over rewrites, deciding how to interpret notes, dealing with rejection, and even attending panels like this. Panelists will guide you through their journey and share trade secrets on how they broke on through to the other side.

How to Stay In: Maintaining a Writing Career (2:00PM – 3:15PM)

Hello from the other side! So you broke in, got an agent, sold some scripts, had a few of them produced, and won industry awards, but as the saying goes “you’re only as good as your next one.” Even well-established writers continue to have that perpetual sense of insecurity and writer’s block but what separates them from others is a combination of talent, drive, and tenacity to stay in the game. Join this discussion featuring seasoned writers who have launched their careers and remained successful while writing high up in the stratosphere. Panelists will share personal stories throughout their career and provide advice on how to stay inspired and motivated while maintaining the integrity of your voice.

Daniel Petrie, Jr.

As a ticket holder for the “Launching Your Writing Career” event, you are also invited to attend our happy hour mixer following the last panel discussion from 3:30PM – 5:30PM in the lobby of the Linwood Dunn Theater. This special reception will be hosted by Daniel Petrie, Jr. (writer Beverly Hills Cop, The Big Easy; former WGAW President) whose production company Enderby Entertainment is a sponsor of the AFF Screenplay Competition and has also served on the Nicholl Fellowships Committee. Complimentary snacks and drinks will be provided courtesy of the Academy Education Program and the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.

Tickets are an incredible value at only $25 and will be available at the event tomorrow.

AND DON’T FORGET to enter your script in the Screenplay Competition by the March 31 Early Deadline before the entry fee goes up for the April 20 Regular Deadline and May 15 Late Deadline.  All entrants will receive FREE Reader Comments and special discounts to attend the annual Festival & Conference.