The Austin Film Festival is dedicated to championing the work of aspiring and established filmmakers, defined as screenwriters, directors, editors, producers, actors and all those artists who use the language of film to tell a story. The AFF furthers the art, craft and business of filmmaking by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships.

The Austin Film Festival is a not for profit 501c3 corporation.

Guidelines & Rules

Film Deadlines:

Regular Postmark Deadline: June 15th
Late Postmark Deadline: July 15th

Films may also be entered via the Withoutabox.com online submission process.*

General Rules:

  • Films must be submitted on ÔøΩŒ©" VHS tape or DVD (please test before sending) and be available for screening on 35mm composite condition, Beta SP or Digi-Beta Video (NTSC only for festival screening).
  • Films must have been completed no earlier than April 1, 2005. Films must be available for screening during the Austin Film Festival, October 19-26, 2006.
  • Narrative and Documentary films with U.S. distribution (obtained prior to being selected for AFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or films prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.

Additional Narrative Feature Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be feature-length narratives, 70 minutes or longer (recommended length).
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Additional Narrative Short Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be short narratives of 30 minutes or less (recommended length).
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Additional Narrative Student Short Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be short narratives of 30 minutes or less (recommended length).
  • Open only to students (must include proof of enrollment from accredited university or college).

Additional Animated Short Film Entry Requirements:

General Rules:

  • Films must be submitted on VHS tape or DVD NTSC or PAL (please test before sending) and be available for screening on 35mm composite condition, HDCam, Beta SP, Digi-Beta Video (NTSC only for festival screening) or digital file.
  • Films must have been completed after April 1, 2009. Films must be available for screening during the Austin Film Festival, October 21-28, 2010
  • Narrative and Documentary films with U.S. distribution (obtained prior to being selected for AFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.
  • Films that have played in Austin in a theatrical setting to a public audience are not eligible to be screened at the Austin Film Festival. The only exceptions to this rule are cast and crew screenings and films that have played in conjunction with the University of Texas at Austin.
  • Austin Film Festival reserves the right to change submission category at their discretion.

Additional Narrative Feature Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be feature-length narratives, 60 minutes or longer (recommended length).
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Additional Narrative Short Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less (recommended length, may be longer).
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Additional Narrative Student Short Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less (recommended length, may be longer).
  • Open only to students (must include proof of enrollment from accredited university or college).

Additional Animated Short Film Entry Requirements:

  • Films must be animated short narratives of 40 minutes or less (recommended length, may be longer).
  • Awards will be given to the short that best utilizes animation to tell a story.
  • Open to any form of animation.
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Additional Documentary Feature Films Requirements:

  • Films must be Documentaries, 41 minutes or longer (recommended length). 
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Additional Documentary Short Film Requirements:

  • Films must be Short Documentaries, 40 minutes or less (recommended length, may be longer).
  • Open to anyone who wishes to enter.

Please Note: The Austin Film Festival does not wave entry fees. AFF believes waiving entry fees hurts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fee should apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another. In a similar respect the AFF does not invite films to be in competition, only films submitted will be considered for competition.

We understand the financial constraint of filmmaking and costs of submitting to Festivals and we still hope you can find it in your budget to submit your film.

Returns and Acknowledgments:
VHS tapes, DVDs, and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.

FILM COMPETITION AWARDS:All awards will be presented to the Writer of the winning films with the exception of the Documentary awards which will be presented to the Director. The awards will be presented on October 23, 2010 during the Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon. Awards are based on overall merit of the entries. Jury members reserve the right not to grant an award.

Audience Award:All films screening are also eligible for an Audience Award in their respected categories. Award winners are announced within one week following the Festival. The Audience Award is based solely on audience voting at the film's screening.

Prizes:

Each Competition Filmmaker receives two film screenings, October 21-28; five complimentary tickets to each of the film's screenings; one ticket to the AFF Awards Luncheon (if in attendance, it is the preference of AFF that the writer be provided this ticket); the film featured in the 2009 AFF Program Book; and two complimentary, All-Access Producers Passes to the 2010 Austin Film Festival, October 21-28 (if in attendance, it is the preference of AFF that the writer be provided one of the complimentary Producers Passes).

Jury Awards:

Narrative Films
1st Place Winners receive a cash prize of $5,000 (Narrative Feature Category) or $500 (Narrative Short and Student Short Categories); reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2010 AFF; reimbursement (up to $500) for stay at an AFF hotel during the Film Festival; and the AFF Typewriter Award. In addition, the winning film in the Narrative Short category is eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Documentary Films
1st Place Winners receive a cash prize of $500 (Documentary Feature Category only); reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2010 AFF; reimbursement (up to $500) for stay at an AFF hotel during the Film Festival; and the AFF Typewriter Award.

Animated Short Film
1st Place Winners receive reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2009 AFF; reimbursement (up to $500) for stay at an AFF hotel during the Film Festival; and the AFF Typewriter Award. In addition, the winning film in the Animated Short category is eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award.