The Austin Film Festival was founded in in 1994 and it was one of the very first festivals to really focus fully on the creative role of the writer in the film making process. Initially, AFF was made up of the Heart of Film Screenwriters Conference and functioned to launch the careers of screenwriters who historically have been underrepresented within the film industry. Since then, AFF has grown to serve all film makers and has helped Austin’s arts community by creating year-round programming that recognizes the art and value of storytelling through film.
The festival features many fine films that debut during the event. The Conference brings producers, agents and screenwriters together to instigate the sale of screenplays; hundreds of writers’ groups, services and festivals have followed the Conference’s lead over the past decade.
The conference takes place each October but book up your tickets early, it is becoming one of the most popular festivals in the country.
O.K. Just a personal (and slightly controversial) selection, but William Friedkin premiered his classic movie ‘Killer Joe’ at the festival. I hope no one ate chicken before they attended the event!