Austin Under the Stars: Film Festival

Austin Under the Stars: Film Festival Austin Under the Stars is an international film festival based in Austin, TX.

Welcome to Austin Under the Stars (AUTS), an international film festival that celebrates the art of cinema right here in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas. Immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of AUTS, where we believe in making film festivals fun again! Prepare for an unforgettable experience filled with engaging conversations, red carpet photography, Q&A's, and, of course, exceptional

films. Set against the backdrop of the renowned live music capital of the world, AUTS offers a unique blend of entertainment and creativity. As the sun gracefully descends, find your spot beneath the twinkling stars and witness the magic unfold as some of the finest indie films compete for recognition. Following the screening, we will honor the top-rated films with well-deserved awards. Stay with us as we engage in brief and insightful Q&A sessions with the talented award winners. It's the perfect opportunity to discuss their upcoming projects, expand your network, and foster connections within the industry. AUTS promises to be a film festival experience like no other, blending the allure of cinema with the vibrant spirit of Austin. Join us under the stars for an unforgettable celebration of independent filmmaking, where creativity knows no boundaries.

05/12/2026

โณ SUMMER DEADLINE ends May 14.

If youโ€™ve been waiting to submit your film or screenplay, this is the time.

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ IMDb-qualifying
๐Ÿ† Top 100 Best Reviewed on FilmFreeway
๐Ÿ“ Austin, Texas
๐ŸŽฅ Screening at AFS Cinema

Submit now before rates increase.

05/07/2026

โ˜€๏ธ SUMMER DEADLINE โ€“ MAY 14, 2026

Wrap the year with something worth celebrating. ๐ŸŽฌโœจ Submit your film or screenplay by May 14 to hit the Summer Deadline for Austin Under the Stars 2026.

Celebrate storytelling, creativity, and community at Austinโ€™s most cinematic night of the year.
๐ŸŽฅ Submit here: filmfreeway.com/AustinUnderTheStars

04/09/2026

โฐ LATE DEADLINE โ€“ APR 16, 2026

Missed the last one? Youโ€™ve still got time. โณ Submit your film or screenplay by April 16 for the Late Deadline and be part of Austinโ€™s top-rated independent film festival. ๐ŸŽฌ

Red carpet, awards, Q&As โ€” all at AFS Cinema this fall.
๐ŸŽฅ Submit here: filmfreeway.com/AustinUnderTheStars

๐Ÿ† RISING STAR โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†Oaklynโ€™s Friendsby Kelcie RussellSynopsis:Based on the book Oaklynโ€™s Friend...
03/18/2026

๐Ÿ† RISING STAR โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†
Oaklynโ€™s Friends
by Kelcie Russell

Synopsis:
Based on the book Oaklynโ€™s Friends, written and illustrated by Kelcie Russell when she was nine years old. Oaklyn is a little girl whose drawings come to life, and together, her colorful friends use their different superpowers to show that our differences are strengths โ€” and that when we work together, we can accomplish anything.

About the Filmmaker:
Kelcie Russell is just 11 years old. A self-taught animator and published author, she wrote and illustrated Oaklynโ€™s Friends before turning it into her first animated short film. She hopes her work inspires other kids to see their unique qualities as superpowers.

๐ŸŽฅ Congratulations to Kelcie Russell, recipient of the Rising Star Award at Austin Under the Stars 2025!

๐Ÿ† BEST ENSEMBLE โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†Climate Brosby Ryan ReznickSynopsis:Texas in July. Two misinformation spr...
03/11/2026

๐Ÿ† BEST ENSEMBLE โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†
Climate Bros
by Ryan Reznick

Synopsis:
Texas in July. Two misinformation spreading podcasters get a dose of reality when they send their intern out to get the mail. Will they learn anything? Probably not.

About the Director:

โ€œI was put here to make awesome movies, and that is what I will do.โ€ โ€” Ryan Reznick

๐ŸŽฅ Congratulations to Ryan and the entire Climate Bros cast for winning Best Ensemble at Austin Under the Stars 2025!

03/05/2026

๐ŸŽฅ SPRING DEADLINE โ€“ MAR 12, 2026

Spring forward into festival season! ๐ŸŒท Submit by March 12 to make the Spring Deadline for Austin Under the Stars 2026 โ€” where creativity meets connection.

๐ŸŽฌ Hosted at the iconic AFS Cinema, AUTS celebrates storytellers from around the world.
๐ŸŽฅ Submit here: filmfreeway.com/AustinUnderTheStars

๐Ÿ† BEST ACTRESS โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†Thereโ€™s Something I Have to Tell Youby Jamie SavareseWinner: Reagan KellyS...
03/04/2026

๐Ÿ† BEST ACTRESS โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†
Thereโ€™s Something I Have to Tell You
by Jamie Savarese
Winner: Reagan Kelly

Synopsis:
A daughter, haunted by her past, helps her mom build a house in a small town in the Bahamas while struggling to reveal a devastating secret thatโ€™s kept them divided for as long as she can remember.

About the Director:
Jamie Savarese is a Texas-born LGBTQ+ drama writer/director with credits spanning TV development (UCP, Anonymous Content, ACE Entertainment) and award-recognized scripts (Out Loud List, Love List, Black List initiatives, HollyShorts).

๐ŸŽฅ Congratulations to Reagan Kelly, director Jamie Savarese, and the Thereโ€™s Something I Have to Tell You team on Best Actress at Austin Under the Stars 2025!

๐Ÿ† BEST ACTOR โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†Never Freeby Linden DodsonWinner: Joshua HancockSynopsis:A desperate runaway...
03/02/2026

๐Ÿ† BEST ACTOR โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†
Never Free
by Linden Dodson
Winner: Joshua Hancock

Synopsis:
A desperate runaway convict hitchhikes across the rural countryside, evading capture until a chance encounter with a wise but determined local sheriff forces him to confront his past and the choices that led him to a life on the run.

About the Director:
Linden Dodson is a UT Austin RTF graduate whose work focuses on grounded Texas dramas that challenge traditional Southern ideals with authentic, character-driven storytelling.

๐ŸŽฅ Congratulations to Joshua Hancock, director Linden Dodson, and the Never Free team for taking home Best Actor at Austin Under the Stars 2025!

๐Ÿ† BEST DIRECTOR โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†Unseenby Grace GoenSynopsis:Nicolas lives in the midst of a pandemic caus...
02/18/2026

๐Ÿ† BEST DIRECTOR โ€“ AUSTIN UNDER THE STARS 2025 ๐Ÿ†
Unseen
by Grace Goen

Synopsis:
Nicolas lives in the midst of a pandemic caused by a deadly virus that is transmitted through eye contact. With a baby on the way, Nicolasโ€™ fears of infecting his wife Claire rise. He must decide whether it is worth the risk to be with the ones he loves, or ensure their safety by abandoning them.

About the Director:
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Grace Goen graduated from Vancouver Film School in 2018, where she specialized in directing and cinematography. Her work focuses on psychological storytelling within the sci-fi genre, using tension, emotion, and atmosphere to explore the human condition under extraordinary circumstances.

๐ŸŽฅ Congratulations to Grace Goen and the Unseen team for winning Best Director at Austin Under the Stars 2025!

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10901 Domain Drive
Austin, TX
78758

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