GHOST RANCH RETREAT HAS SOLD OUT.
Please sign up for the waitlist below.
Austin Film Festival is thrilled to announce the second annual Ghost Ranch Writer’s Retreat!
This August 2 – 7, 2022 join Austin Film Festival for a creative getaway in Abiquiu, New Mexico. In a small group setting, we will explore finding and developing your creative voice. Through a series of panels and workshops, you will discover how different environments can influence your stories- and how your inimitable vision brings them to life.
Last year’s attendees let us know they wished they could stay longer, so in 2022 we’ve added an additional day to the experience.



ENVELOP YOURSELF IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT
Abiquiu is nestled in the auburn canyons and cliffs of the Colorado Plateau an hour outside of Santa Fe — New Mexico’s flourishing filmmaking hub. The Land of Enchantment has always had a magnetic pull on artists, and this small town is no exception. The Ranch has served as an inspiration to countless creatives. Most notable is artist Georgia O’Keeffe who lived and worked on the property during her later years. O’Keeffe’s favorite subjects still surround the property, from the Kitchen Mesa hiking trail to the Pedernal, a flat-topped mountain to the south. The Ranch’s beauty has been featured in more than just O’Keeffe’s landscapes; it has served as the backdrop for numerous films, such as City Slickers, Silverado, and No Country for Old Men.
It’s truly an artists’ haven.
Here are a few things that our first-ever group discovered at last year’s getaway:
“A clear idea of what my project is about and why it must be me that writes it.”
“A renewed sense of the validity of my voice. And a thousand new friendships.”
“A deep sense of possibility and my own ability to do the work in a tangible way.”

What to Expect When at Ghost Ranch:
Ghost Ranch is an intimate, rustic location that puts nature at the forefront. Its cozy environment will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time and away from the bustle of everyday life. Cell phone signal is strong at the entrance to Ghost Ranch, but it is inconsistent everywhere else on the Ranch. You may want to let your friends and family know that coverage is unreliable. Please also note that there are a few Wi-Fi hot spots for internet connections around the Ranch. Service is sometimes intermittent and slow due to satellite and weather conditions.
The property is primarily used as a spiritual retreat and hiking hot spot – it is not a spa. Traditional hotel services are limited. Think of your time on the property more like summer camp than the Four Seasons.
COURSE FEE - $550*
Purchase your ticket below to reserve your spot. Our ticket price of $550 covers the entire course fee, which includes five days of small-group workshops, and conversations with visiting professional screenwriters. This is a unique experience with very limited spots to ensure an enriching, individualized experience for participants. In order to ensure your spot with us at Ghost Ranch, please purchase your ticket as soon as possible.
* $550 tuition fee (additional costs for lodging and meals, coordinated by Ghost Ranch)
LODGING & FOOD PACKAGES
GHOST RANCH RETREAT HAS SOLD OUT
Please fill out the below form to be put on the waitlist.

*Lodging and meal rates set by Ghost Ranch are subject to change. Please note that limited private bath options are available and not all rooms offer a quad-option. Ghost Ranch will do their best to provide registrants their lodging preferences on a first come, first served basis. If preferred lodging is not available, Ghost Ranch will work with registrants to find comparable options.
REFUND POLICY (Please Read Before Purchase)
Course Fee Refund Policy:Refund requests for AFF’s Ghost Ranch Writers Retreat must be in writing and sent by U.S. first class mail or email to refunds@austinfilmfestival.com, postmarked by June 1, 2022, and all refunds will incur a $75 processing fee. After June 1, 2022, all payments are non-refundable for any reason, including but not limited to illness, acts of God, or travel-related problems. All add-on purchases are nonrefundable.
In the event that Austin Film Festival has to cancel the physical event, registrants will have the following options:
- A full refund of your registration fee
- Support our organization as we continue to support the writing community! Austin Film Festival is a year-round 501(c)(3)non-profit organization.
Registration fees are non-transferable and are the property of Austin Film Festival, Inc.
Refunds will be issued either via the original method of payment or other method approved by Austin Film Festival, if such original method is not available. Unused registrations cannot be credited for future events.
Purchases may be revoked at any time for any reason without liability to Austin Film Festival. You hereby release and hold harmless Austin Film Festival, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, successors, assigns, and licensees, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims resulting in attendance of an Austin Film Festival, Inc. event.
Special events may require purchase of a separate ticket for entry. If you have any questions about the Festival, your membership, badge, or film pass purchase, please contact info@austinfilmfestival.com or call 1-800-FEST (3378).