About
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- - About
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    - Austin Film Festival furthers 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.
      In addition to an 8 day film festival and 4 day Conference, we offer Year Round Events, a Young Filmmakers Program, a TV show, Radio show, Podcast and more!
      Austin Film Festival is really about creativity, about trying to help people find their voice. And it’s fun.”
      - Ron Howard, 2009 Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award Recipient
    - AFF History
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  - Staff
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    - The folks [at AFF] share our passion…Which is, of course, why they are so damn adept at crafting a conference that manages to satisfy the needs and desires of all of us attending.”
      -Scott Rosenberg, screenwriter
      Get to know the faces and stories of the people who run the show for the Austin Film Festival!
      Want to work with us? We're always looking for folks to join our team whether it's through volunteering or interning or working with us on staff. Check out our current opportunities below.
    - Check out our job opportunities!
    - Intern with us!
    - Or volunteer!
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  - Board
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    - Meet our Board of Advisors and Board of Directors
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  - FAQs
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    - Check out our frequently asked questions!
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  - Get Involved
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    - Sponsor
      Austin Film Festival welcomes new ideas and would love to work with any organization that shares interest in the arts and entertainment industry.
      - Sponsor
    - Membership
      Exclusive screenings, script readings, Conversations in Film, parties and more!
      - Membership
    - Donate
      Not only is your donation tax deductible, but your support helps us to further the art and craft of filmmaking in our state.
      - Donate
    - Intern
      We're always looking for interns to join our team and be an integral part of pulling off our incredible programs!
      - Intern
    - Volunteer
      Volunteers are a huge part of what we do at AFF. Plus, we have a ton of fun!
      - Volunteer
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  - Sponsors and Partners
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    - Austin Film Festival would like to acknowledge and thank our many Festival Sponsors who demonstrate their commitment to aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters through their financial support. Their contributions not only enhance our annual event but ensure Austin Film Festival can continue to administer its various educational initiatives throughout the year.
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  - Testimonials
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    - See what others are saying about Austin Film Festival.
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  - Accessibility
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    - Austin Film Festival strives to be accessible to all patrons of the arts. Read about our accessibility and sign-language interpretation.
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  - Contact
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    - Newsletter
      Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch!
      - Sign up!
    - Press
      Feel free to contact us with any press inquiries.
      - Press Inquiries
    - Meet our board of directors
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What We Do
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- - On Story
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    - WATCH
      - The weekly, 30-minute television series features interviews with filmmaking greats paired with short films.
    - READ
      - Praised as recommended reading by film and media studies professors and filmmakers alike, the book offers introspections and recollections on the creative process.
    - LISTEN
      - The one-hour radio program & our podcast both feature the creative minds behind True Detective, The Graduate & more.
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  - Film Festival
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    - 8 days of film
      Join us in Oct for over 180 films, Q&As, indie breakouts, narrative and documentary competition features, classic retrospectives, and a stellar shorts program.
      
      Purchase your Film Pass while you still can!
      This pass will get you into any of our venues across Austin! It is perfect for first time attendees who want a taste of the excitement at AFF and the opportunities to see this year’s award-season contenders alongside little indie gems and everything in between. Get on the FP notification list so you don't miss any updates!
      - Film Pass Notification List
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  - Conference
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    - 4 days of amazing panels
      
      It started as a getaway weekend for great barbecue, and has become a pilgrimage. Going to the Austin conference is like stepping into a time machine and returning to that day, that moment in time when you fell in love with movies and the idea of making them. And living a whole week feeling that feeling.”
      Terry Rossio, writer Shrek, Aladdin, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise
      
      Screenwriters all live in Los Angeles, but they only seem to meet in Austin.”
      Michael Green, writer The Green Lantern, Kings, Heroes, Smallville, upcoming Blade Runner reboot
      
      I was completely surprised by the scale of AFF. Apparently, everything is bigger in Texas, including the hospitality. If you’ve never been to Austin it’s a great time to go. One of the best film festivals you’ll ever experience.”
      Chris Carter, creator The X-Files, The Lone Gunmen
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  - Competitions
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    - Screenplay and Teleplay
      - Austin scripts are read and judged by top Hollywood screenwriters – professionals who appreciate good storytelling. There is nothing hollow about a win in Austin.”
        –Brian Weakland, 2013 Drama Screenplay Winner
    - Film Competition
      - The keen eye for the importance of story in film is apparent in every selection by the programming team, and the camaraderie they foster among filmmakers results in a friendly and fun festival that I am happy to call home."
        - Phil Furey
    - Digital Series
      - This competition accepts both filmed and written submissions in an effort to find talented voices who can adapt their vision to emerging digital platforms. AFF will select one winner who displays the strongest voice and greatest potential for establishing a digital series.
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  - Young Filmmakers Program
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    - AFF’s Young Filmmakers Program introduces the arts of screenwriting and filmmaking to young people, ages 9-18, and provides them with venues for developing their storytelling talents. Here are a few of our programs:
    - Competition
      The competition is free to enter and open to youth filmmakers ages 12 to 18! The competition opens DECEMBER 6th!
      - Competition
    - Camps & Classes
      Check out our workshops that help kids and young adults create their very own fabulous short films!
      - Summer Camps and Classes
    - Digital Storytelling
      Our program works with schools to improve communication skills through film.
      - Digital Storytelling
    - Festival Scholarships
      Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Scholarship Program grants access to over 300 scholarships for students and teachers in middle and high school.
      - Festival and Conference Scholarship
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  - Student Opportunities
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    - Did you know that Austin Film Festival provides group discounts to students at colleges, universities, and specialty schools? Consistently considered by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” AFF allows participating writers and filmmakers to measure themselves against the very best, while also providing valuable networking and learning opportunities.
    - Did you know that Austin Film Festival provides group discounts to students at colleges, universities, and specialty schools? Consistently considered by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” AFF allows participating writers and filmmakers to measure themselves against the very best, while also providing valuable networking and learning opportunities.
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  - Year-Round Events
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    - Check out our year-round opportunities to attend conversations with industry pros, advance screenings, special retrospectives, filmmaker Q&As, parties and more!
    - Audience Award Series
      Throughout the year we screen selections from our Audience award winning films from the previous year's festival.
      - Audience Award Series
    - Calendar of Events
      Whether it's a networking event, workshop, conversation in film, or screening we've always got something coming up!
      - Calendar of Events
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  - Summer Camps & Classes
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    - It’s back!
      The critically-acclaimed and uber-loved Summer Film Camps & Classes, presented by Austin Film Festival, returns this June with rocking workshops that promise to teach, inspire, and help kids and young adults create their very own fabulous, funny, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, award-winning (you never know!) short films.
      
      The opportunity to work with an instructor who has real world experience in the film industry during summer camp made a real impact on my [teen]. He loved everything about his camp experience!"
      - Register Now!
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  - Parties
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    - 8 Days of Parties
      We offer a variety of parties beyond film screenings with opportunities for networking or just having fun. We’re party people!
      - Learn More!
    - Film & Food
      Amazing food! Amazing drinks! Amazing night! Our Film & Food fundraising gala benefits our Young Filmmakers Program.
      - Film & Food
    - Awards Luncheon
      Each year at the Festival, we celebrate the year’s honorees and competition winners at the Awards Luncheon.
      - Awards Luncheon
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  - Membership Program
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    - Join AFF today for a year’s worth of advanced screenings, film premieres, script readings, Conversations in Film, exclusive parties, and more!
      You’ll also receive discounts around town at participating businesses such as Alamo Drafthouse Village and Stephen F. Austin Bar and Terrace. Not to mention discounts to our Film & Food Fundraiser (otherwise known as the best party in Austin).
      
      Membership starts for as little as $35!
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What Should I Buy?

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You Get...	Film Pass	Lone Star Badge	Weekend Badge	Conference Badge	Producers Badge
	All 8 Days of Film
All 8 Days of Film
	Priority Access to all films (before Film Passes and General Admission)
Priority Access to all films (before Film Passes and General Admission)	—
	Exhibit Hall
Exhibit Hall	—
	Access to Awards Luncheon with Luncheon Ticket Purchase
Access to Awards Luncheon with Luncheon Ticket Purchase	—	—	—
	All Panels on Thursday
All Panels on Thursday	—	—	—
	All Panels on Friday
All Panels on Friday	—	—	—
	All Panels on Saturday
All Panels on Saturday	—
	All Panels on Sunday
All Panels on Sunday	—	—

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empathy inc

HISCOX FILMMAKER Q&A: EMPATHY, INC.

10/04/2018 Blog, Guest Blog, Hiscox Filmmaker Blog, Q&A

Writer: Mark Leidner Director: Yedidya Gorestman What inspired you come up with the idea for the film? The idea for Empathy, Inc. came from our desire to mix two genres: capitalist fable (Wall Street,… Read More

From the Archive: David Milch

The following is an excerpt from a conversation with David Milch moderated by the late Edwin A. “Bud” Shrake. David Milch was the recipient of Austin Film Festival’s 2006 Outstanding Television Writer Award. The full... Read More

TRICKS OF THE TRADE: THE ART OF THE PITCH

When it comes to writing, oftentimes the hardest part of the process comes AFTER you’ve typed “The End”. For many of us, the idea of pitching your script can be even more daunting than the... Read More