Festival dossier
Austin, United States · Est. 2019 · Established legitimate festival with meaningful track record
Solid signals — do normal diligence
Tier B looks established enough for many filmmakers. Check fees, programming fit, and recent editions before submitting.
Coming April 17, 2027! WHAT AIFF IS - An international celebration of independent cinema. - A showcase for feature films, short films, documentaries, student films, animation, experimental, and genre films. - A platform for international, national, and Texas filmmakers to share their stories. - A filmmaker-first festival that values artists as much as their films. - A place to build connections, discover collaborators, and celebrate great storytelling. -Proudly known by many filmmakers as "the friendliest film festival in Texas." WHAT AIFF IS NOT - Not affiliated with the Austin Film Festival or any other Austin-area film festival. - Not a festival where filmmakers are treated like submission numbers. - Not focused on budgets, celebrity names, or industry status. - Not just a screening—we're a community built around filmmakers. WHO WE ARE The Austin International Film Festival was founded by award-winning filmmakers Luke and Martha Van Garza to create the festival they always wished existed. As filmmakers themselves, they understand the work, passion, and risk behind every project. That's why AIFF is built around genuine hospitality, open communication, and creating an unforgettable experience for every official selection—from red carpet premieres and filmmaker Q&As to networking, interviews, and awards. Whether you're traveling from across Austin or across the world, our mission is simple: celebrate exceptional films, champion the people who make them, and ensure every filmmaker leaves knowing their work mattered.
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Founded
2019
Avg. rating
4.2/ 5
Reviews
44
Synced 4 days ago
The festival offered so many opportunities for filmmakers! Met some fantastic people & enjoyed the films.
Cynthia Huerta-McKown
Awesome festival with awesome people. So glad this was my first festival experience. Really enjoyed the educational Script Pitch Workshop.
Thank you, Austin International Film Festival, for a truly great experience, and defineatly one to be remembered.
Fantastic, fun, friendly festival with great people and tons of great films included with admission. The script pitch class was very informative. We'll be back.
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