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.

Tom Schatz

Tom Schatz is a professor in the Radio-Television-Film Department at the University of Texas and the founding director of the UT Film Institute, which involves students in the production of feature-length narrative film.

He has executive produced five independent features and has written four books about American film including The Genius of the System: Hollywood Filmmaking in the Studio Era. His writing on film has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Premiere, The Nation, Film Comment, Film Quarterly, and numerous other publications.

He is currently working on a book on contemporary Hollywood.