Austin Film Festival (AFF) is guided by its 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.
Committed to the elevation of all artists within an industry notorious for its barriers, hurdles, and inaccessibility, AFF’s Uplifting Storytellers Initiative encourages, connects, and uplifts talented new voices from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds through the execution of skills-based and career-focused enrichment programs. A natural progression of the Festival’s Diversity Focus Program — AFF’s programmatic promise launched in 2016 which commits to a Writers Conference slate with no less than 50% of panelists who are women+ and/or from a minority or underrepresented background — the Uplifting Storytellers Initiative is interwoven into all aspects of AFF’s expansive year-round programming and is designed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the media arts, thereby usurping trends of inequality.
Created in collaboration with the Initiative’s accompanying Advisory Committee, the Uplifting Storytellers Initiative facilitates opportunities for career advancements for writers, filmmakers and creators hailing from diverse backgrounds through four programmatic pillars: Industry & Community Partnerships; Annual Script & Film Competitions; Festival & Writers Conference, and Year-Round Programming; and last, but certainly not least, AFF’s Young Filmmakers Program (YFP). AFF utilizes its connections with pioneering industry creatives of color as invited panelists, competition judges, fellowship mentors, and even as guest speakers and educators for YFP, to enact a more direct and sustainable change within the industry.
AFF recognizes its unmatched ability to open doors and provide opportunities for emerging writers, filmmakers, and creatives of all kinds.
AFF improves the standards of diversity, equity, and inclusion within its sector of the media arts through:
- Events in partnership with the industry’s key players
- Programming that showcases and celebrates pioneering artists of color
- Annual competitions which amplify new voices
- Youth programs intended to spark creativity in all students
Encompassing all of these efforts, the goal of AFF’s Uplifting Storytellers Initiative is to encourage, connect, and most of all, uplift the storytellers from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds, thereby enacting sustainable change within the entertainment industry at large.
The Uplifting Storytellers Initiative is interwoven into all aspects of AFF programming through four pillars:
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- Industry & Community Partnerships
- Script & Film Competitions
- Programming
- Young Filmmakers Program
Through AFF’s long standing relationships with both pivotal industry partnerships and local community organizations, the Uplifting Storytellers Initiative serves not only as a launchpad for creatives of color but a bridge to creative communities nationwide. Community partners include:
Key partnership opportunities include:
In partnership with the Six Square Cultural District known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural significance to Austin’s Black Community, AFF presents yearly events within the historic neighborhood home to AFF’s office headquarters. Six Square events include free Festival programming open to the public, year-round networking events for local filmmakers of color, free film screenings, and youth film camps all of which are designed to develop careers and showcase the stories from Black artists.
In partnership with the leading, local entertainment and media company, Rooster Teeth, AFF script competition entrants who are awarded these fellowship opportunities receive a cash prize, paid travel expenses to Austin, and most importantly, a three-day mentorship opportunity with Rooster Teeth’s executives and development team. Both Rooster Teeth and AFF are eager to connect the often overlooked BIPOC and women+ creators to the world of media and entertainment.
VJ BOYD
WENDY CALHOUN
NOAH HAWLEY
CHUCK HAYWARD
ALI LEROI
JENNY MARCHICK
REBECCA WINDSOR
At the core of AFF’s mission, AFF’s Annual Script and Film competitions recognize emerging, new voices of unparalleled talent each year. With all submissions evaluated blindly from our panel of industry judges, AFF second-rounders, semi-finalists, finalists, and of course, winners utilize their accolades to advance careers and embark on their next creative journey. Known for its reputation as the premiere script competition in the world, studios, agents, and executives trust AFF to identify the storytellers of tomorrow. Competition winners annually reflect a diversity of talent, as opposed to industry standards, thereby upholding The Uplifting Storytelling Initiative’s purpose and intentions.
“When I placed as a finalist in 2017 with my first pilot, it was an eye-opening experience. Not only did I learn incredible things from panelists who were working writers, managers, and agents, but I also interacted with an active showrunner who requested a script of mine. He eventually sent my work to his manager at 3 Arts Entertainment, where I’ve now been repped for 3 years.”
— Sean Collins-Smith AFF Winner, 2018; AFF Finalist, 2017, 2021
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“2022 was my first time attending Austin Film Festival, and I met many finalists who kept coming back to the festival every year. They shared so much wisdom on navigating the festival and beyond, and I was genuinely moved by how much they believed in the festival’s community. The accolade from Austin helped me stand out as an early-career writer when I met executives and producers who were just getting to know me. It is an affirmation of my craft as a writer and allows me to focus on presenting my authentic self as a human being.”
— Grace (Ge) Gao, 2022 Rooster Teeth BIPOC Finalist Old Maiden’s Prayer
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“AFF has been a lifeline for my career. Breaking into this industry is not easy, but after placing as a finalist in the AMC and Rooster Teeth awards in two sequential years, I landed representation, a spot in CAPE’s New Writer fellowship, and gained the confidence to keep creating and shaping my own projects. Returning to AFF to speak on the Screenwriters to Watch panel last year was a dream. I recently wrote and directed a six-part audio series and am embarking on directing my first feature this year. This festival is for writers, yes, but it’s also for any storyteller — whether you’re a director, producer, actor, multi-hyphenate, or other — who is interested in furthering their craft and meeting wonderful, smart, creative people along the way.”
— Liz Fields, 2021 Rooster Teeth BIPOC Winner Savages
“Since it was the first festival I’ve been to, it inspired me to no end. From the immaculate screenings to the wonderful receptions where I got to make memories and connections, it reminded me how real and colorful the world of filmmaking can be.” – Ralph P
“At Austin and through the experience I was able to meet and connect with so many amazing writers/filmmakers. It was my first experience like that and it all felt so organic and genuine. It left me feeling so inspired and rejuvenated. Definitely the spark I needed.” – Will H
— Ralph Parker III & Will Henderson III, Jury Award for Narrative Student Short Sammy, Without Strings
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“I feel so lucky to have been able to attend the Austin Film Festival through the years, with a short film, as a panelist and finally with a feature film, just attending the conference and the festival screenings leaves me inspired and energized every time, there is nothing like being around so many creatives who absolutely LOVE film. I cannot wait for next year’s Austin Film Festival!”
— Hanadi Elyan, 2022 Audience Award for Narrative Feature Salma’s Home
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“Attending AFF is always memorable, one year I had a chat with David Kajganich (writer of Bones & All and Suspiria) after attending his panel on story structure. I hadn’t gotten any of my films to a festival at that point, but he was so encouraging and kept my spirit up. We kept in touch after the festival and so a few years later, I was excited to tell him that I finally got a film into AFF! That’s one thing I love about this festival, you make genuine connections here.”—
— Chinwe Okorie, writer/director Elephant!, AFF 2022, 2023 Screenwriters To Watch
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All AFF programming is curated with the intention of providing a robust, educational deep-dive into the art, craft, and business of storytelling. Launched in 2016, AFF’s Diversity Focus Program commits to no less than 50% of panelists from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds to speak at AFF’s panels, networking events, and post-screening discussion. Key Diversity Focus Programs include:
AFF’s Writers Conference provides an authentic and unfiltered look at both the creative and career components of Film, TV and other emerging media arts. Conference programming includes informative panels, interactive workshops, film Q&As, and networking events. Find out everything Writers Conference here.
With the programmatic focus of emboldening writers and filmmakers, AFF hosts industry roundtables, live script readings, writer’s retreats, film screenings, and writer/filmmaker Q&As. Find out about our upcoming events here.
Every year, AFF highlights for the industry 25 of the most promising emerging screenwriters presented in partnership with MovieMaker Magazine. Check out every year’s list here.
These events are often recorded for our ON STORY series, which consists of a television show that airs on PBS stations nationwide, a radio distributed by Public Radio Exchange, and a podcast that streams on all major podcast platforms. ON STORY gives the public free access to our educational discussions. Check ON STORY out here.
“I loved my experience at the AFF because it attracts intelligent and generous writers who are willing to keep it real and share what they’ve learned in an intimate and celebratory environment. And the easy-to-reach venues were full of curious, appreciative festival goers. No wonder it’s still going strong after 28 years!”
— Stephanie Allain, 2021 Recipient of the Polly Platt Award for Producing
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“I truly enjoyed my time and experience at AFF. It was my first time attending and I cannot say enough great things about the festival and the level of intimacy you are able to have with so many emerging and talented writers and creators from all backgrounds. As a Producer, that was such an added benefit beyond speaking on a panel, which is probably why I enjoyed the roundtables the most. It allowed a chance to actually get to know attendees more personally and there was a lot of exchanging of information which rarely happens when I’m a guest at other events!”
— Deniese Davis 2017, 2020 AFF Panelist
“AFF is hands down my favorite festival. Not only do I get to be around approachable, down-to-earth writers I deeply admire, but the panels and films never fail to leave me inspired.”
— Issa Rae, 2013 AFF Panelist
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Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Program (YFP) inspires the next generation of storytellers by introducing students ages 9–18 to screenwriting, filmmaking, and editing. Developing students’ creativity while providing an insider look at the business of film, many YFP students go on to pursue the media arts at a collegiate and professional level.
This was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had the privilege to participate in at school. I wish more classes included material like this.”
— Screenwriting Digital Storytelling Student
Free to students ages 13–18, the Young Filmmakers Competitions highlights top student films nationwide. Selected short films are showcased as part of the Festival’s Film slate and the competition winner receives their award at AFF’s awards lunch.
AFF’s in-school, English and Language Arts TEKS-aligned curriculum on the arts of screenwriting, podcasting, and film production. Formally launched in 2005 and offered at no cost to participating schools, Digital Storytelling has proven to increase student engagement and is a particularly effective tool in classrooms with a high Emergent Bilingual, or English Language Learner (ELL) population.
AFF offers camp classes and teen workshops on the arts of screenwriting, filmmaking, editing, and claymation animation. A portion of camp programs are annually hosted within the Six Square Cultural District and camp scholarships are available to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
This program annually provides over 300 Festival badges to students and educators from 24 schools across the state to attend AFF’s Writers Conference & Film Festival for free! Through AFF’s student-specific programming such as the student Pitch Competition and student-focused Roundtable event, young aspiring writers and filmmakers are given the opportunity to directly engage with industry professionals who illustrate avenues to creative careers.
This is the best class I’ve had throughout my time in public school. I loved this unit and loved writing out my script. I’m usually a very quiet person, so this was the first time I’ve ever gotten to share my ideas with others. This is the only time where I’ve actually felt proud of my own work. Thank you so much.”
– Lindsay, Crockett High School, 2022
Check out the Uplifting Storyteller Initiative Deck HERE.
Attending the Austin Film Festival was one of my best film festival experiences. It was the first time that I met so many talented writers, and was exposed to numerous panels, talks and round table discussions about screenwriting. Everyone I met there was very passionate about stories and films. I have made good filmmaker friends who I would possibly collaborate with in the future, and industry professionals who were interested in hearing about my future projects. Most importantly, I saw the value of my own voice as a filmmaker. I’m glad to be part of this community where I can share my ideas, get inspired, and create more films in the future.”
– Siqi Song, 2018 Animated Jury Award Winner, SISTER