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Austin Film Commission

Austin is a leading destination for film, television & commercial production., why film in austin.

PROFESSIONAL CREW Austin has been production hub since the 1970s with a local, experienced crew base and talent. Austin crews have the technical expertise to always bring productions in on-time, on-budget and as the director envisioned. From Production Assistants to Producers, find the local crew you need in the Austin Film Commission Production Directory . We also welcome you to list if you are a local media production professional or vendor. Check out the  "Made In Austin" filmography and see the full list of amazing work that's been produced here. DIVERSE LOCATIONS Austin is home to many unique terrains—from lakes to farmland to hill country—all within 45 minutes of downtown. When Austin isn't playing itself, our modern downtown has doubled for New York City and Chicago. Nothing is too far apart, so company moves are cost effective: film in one of Austin's mid-century neighborhoods and then one of the Americana small towns that surround Austin all in one day. Looking for a specific location or want to know Austin location aesthetics for your next production, then please check out the Austin Film Commission Location Database . If you have a local property and welcome filming on-site, we welcome you to list in the database. For those curious about where some of Austin's most iconic productions were filmed and want to plan a visit, don't miss the Film Tourism Guide . PERMITTING The City of Austin offers free film permitting for both Austin's Parks and Right Of Way (streets and sidewalks). There may be some incurred costs like parking, production insurance and any necessary use of police officers for closures. Film permits are waived completely for private properties outside of stunt and practical SFX work. Jurisdictions around Austin see plenty of filming too, this is not their first rodeo and the permitting processes are in place for a film friendly experience. INCENTIVES The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP), administered by the Texas Film Commission is cash grant based on in-state spending by feature film, television and commercial projects that offers up to 22.5% back to qualifying productions. Those projects filming in Austin that qualify for TMIIIP can also apply for the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department's Austin Creative Content Incentive Program , which offers up to 0.75% back to qualifying local film and television projects. Additionally, all productions made in Texas can use a Comptroller issued tax exemption on goods rented or purchased for direct use in the production of film, television and commercial projects. FACILITIES Austin is home to a number of studio facilities , providing both small commercial spaces and large-scale soundstages. Most facilities are conveniently located and ready to house your next shoot. Each complex offers a range of stage sizes, cyc walls, office spaces, support services and other amenities to meet your shooting needs. There are also a number of Post-Production facilities in Austin—so you can sound mix, color grade, add motion graphics and picture lock your production without leaving the city limits. VENDORS Austin-based rental houses can supply your production with the latest industry standard equipment. No need to pay expensive shipping fees when our local camera, grip and lighting vendors have everything you need in stock. Austin is also home to dolly, crane, trailer, honeywagon, picture car suppliers and more! Find the local vendors for your production needs in the Austin Film Commission Production Directory . LODGING, TRAVEL & CULTURE Austin offers cast and crew a great home away from home with premiere hotel accommodations . Austin has great culture with famous cuisine, live music, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere - plus over 30 unique film festivals yearly and media production resources ! Austin-Bergstrom International Airport makes travel easy with direct flights to and from London, Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, Toronto, Mexico City and more. WEATHER Need to film a commercial with a green backdrop in January? No problem! Austin generally sees over 300 Days of sunshine each year, which means productions will rarely lose a day of filming due to weather.

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Alumni Blog: Ryan Ederer

There’s no place like the Writer’s Conference at Austin to not only learn about your craft, but to build community. AFF has been instrumental in launching the careers of writers for over three decades. Ryan...  Read More

A Conversation with Cameron Kelly; The Filmmaker Behind What the Elf?

Cameron Kelly’s digital series, What the Elf?, brought the magic of Christmas to the 2023 Austin Film Festival. Kelly, who wrote and starred in the series, plays a down on her luck actress who takes...  Read More

2024 Screenplay Competition Semifinalist Judge Announcements

We are excited to announce the semifinalist judges for the 2024 Screenplay Competition! Here is the list: Chris Coggins Chris Coggins has over a decade of experience in feature, television and digital series development and...  Read More

2024 Texas Short Film Award

AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ADURO STUDIOS & SHORTHAND CAMERA AS SPONSORS OF THE 2024 TEXAS SHORT FILM AWARD  AUSTIN, TX (April 24, 2024) – Austin Film Festival is proud to be partnering with Aduro Studios...  Read More

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AFS Programs for Filmmakers

What are afs filmmaker support programs.

The Austin Film Society offers funding and a slate of support programs for filmmakers residing in Texas. All of these programs are either application or invitation-based. AFS Filmmaker Support Programs are the following:

AFS Grant —an annual production grant for Texas residents that is open for applications each spring. The grant offers approximately $100,000 in cash and $40,000 in-kind goods and services for pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution of independent films.

AFS Travel Grant —a fund for Texas residents whose films have been accepted into competitive festivals or film development programs. The travel grant is a flat $500 to go towards travel expenses for filmmakers.

Works-In-Progress —a program to help filmmakers with constructive, professional feedback for projects at the rough-cut stage. AFS hosts a screening and invites professionals to offer feedback.

Fiscal Sponsorship —Non-for-profit film projects can fundraise under the non-profit umbrella of the Austin Film Society. Fiscal sponsorship is available to Austin Film Society members at the MAKE level or higher.

AFS Artist Intensive —an invitation-only annual lab/retreat for narrative feature projects in development or pre-production. Filmmakers are selected via the AFS Grant application process.

AFS Doc Intensive —an invitation-only annual lab/retreat for feature documentary projects in development or post-production with a working rough cut. Filmmakers are selected via the AFS Grant application process.

AFS ShortCase at SXSW —an annual showcase of Texas artists presented at the SXSW Film Festival.

What are the benefits of AFS Membership for professional filmmakers?

Crowdfunding Support – AFS promotes member projects via social media and our MAKE newsletter.

Eligible for Fiscal Sponsorship – AFS MAKE Members and above can apply to be sponsored by AFS to fundraise.

Eligible for SXSW ShowCase – AFS Make Members and above can apply to be considered for the AFS short films screening at SXSW. 

Eligible for Works-In-Progress Screenings – AFS Make Members and above can submit for a Works-In-Progress screening and access professional feedback on their work.

Free and discounted educational programs – AFS Members and above have access to an array of media-making courses and panel events, as well as discounts on equipment rentals at Austin Public.

The AFS MAKE Newsletter – a monthly e-newsletter about all things happening at AFS related to opportunities for filmmakers and the larger Texas filmmaking community.

What Educational programs are available for filmmakers via the Austin Film Society?

Austin Film Society offers a range of community events, educational programming, and professional development for filmmakers in all career stages through our Community Media programming. Most classes are offered at Austin Public – our educational facility and public access television station. 

On any given month, classes offered may include:

• Production tools (camera, lighting, grip, TV studio, audio, field production)
• Post-Production Tools (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut X, DaVinci Resolve, ProTools)
• Directing & Producing (filmmaker masterclasses, business of film, or marketing and distribution)

Our panels, workshops, and moviemaker dialogues are offered monthly on various professional development topics.

I want to be an actor. What do I do? Where are casting calls posted?

Actors in Austin can find information and casting calls on the following websites:

• The Texas Film Commission
• THE HUB – Managed by UT Austin’s Radio-Television-Film Program. 
• The Texas Production Manual  
• Backstage – Texas auditions and Casting calls 

I want to be a screenwriter. What do I do?

Unfortunately, Austin Film Society does not have programming for screenwriters. However, we recommend you try enrolling in courses and workshops to learn new skills, such as how to pitch your script, which you will have to do for any group interested in purchasing your story. Check out the following places for workshops: 

The Screenplay Workshop – Austin script doctor Jill Chamberlain offers classes, consulting, and coaching.

Writers’ League of Texas

ScriptWorks –  Though generally geared toward playwrights, ScriptWorks is a local organization that provides support throughout the writing process.

Check out books on screenwriting, and read other screenplays to find out how to write a professional screenplay in the appropriate format. These books recommended:

Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger

Alternative Scriptwriting by Ken Dancyger & Jeff Rush

The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier

The Nutshell Technique by Jill Chamberlain

Screenwriting is Rewriting by Jack Epps

If you are entering your script in festivals and contests, make sure that you are doing your research and have a goal and outcome in mind. Entering competitions can be expensive, so prioritizing and targeting the right competitions is essential to your time and resources.  

Here are some reputable competitions:

The Academy Nicholl Fellowship – administered by the Academy, this is the top prize for screenwriters and can launch a career.

Austin Film Festival Conference – held in Austin each October and is specifically designed for screenwriters. FYI – Austin Film Festival is not affiliated with the Austin Film Society.

BlueCat Screenplay Contest –  BlueCat has become a favorite amongst international screenwriters. 

I have a movie idea. Can I pitch it to you?

Unfortunately, Austin Film Society does not produce or develop projects. If you want to produce your film, it’s best to find a film production company, agent, or lawyer that expresses interest in new films and productions.

I need financing for my film. What should I do?

Understanding film finance is key for any independent filmmaker.

While financing can be the ultimate challenge for filmmakers, the process should be embraced as with any other aspect of filmmaking. These days, there are extensive resources available on the internet about almost all topics related to film finance.

Because we understand how difficult it is for emerging filmmakers to finance ambitious projects, one of the Austin Film Society’s key programs is a film finance opportunity. AFS administers the AFS Grant , which awards yearly grants to emerging TX film and video artists. Recipients receive monetary grants, as well as in-kind production support grants.

Crowdfunding has become an important part of nearly every low-budget film’s financing plan, but success in crowdfunding is not a given. Before you crowdfund, research best practices. Kickstarter and Seed&Spark prioritize filmmaker education around crowdfunding. AFS members receive marketing support from AFS on their campaigns. Be sure to check in with our Artist Services team before your launch to request the service. Please note that this is only available to current MAKE level members and above, so please make sure your membership is current before sending the request.

You should research fiscal sponsorship, where a 501(c)(3) organization umbrellas your project so that you can seek grants and donations – this is often a requirement for receiving foundation grants and tax deductions. There are non-profits in Austin that offer this service, including the AFS for MAKE and higher-level members. In general, it is a very selective process and is not for an inexperienced filmmaker.

Finance research tools you should check out:

The IFP Resources site , has extensive articles about film finance. Search topics such as international sales markets, pre-sale agreements, film investing, crowdfunding, and more.

BritDoc , which maintains an extensive list of film funders and funding resources on their Film Resources site

How do I get a job on a film?

The best way to find paid employment in Texas is through the Texas Film Commission Production Hotline , which lists weekly cast and crew calls updates. Resumes are usually sent to the Production Coordinator of each film. 

Once your career picks up, you should get listed in the Texas Production Manual, also managed by the Texas Film Commission. There are other production guides that you might look into as well, including the Austin Directory Listing , managed by the Austin Film Commission . 

How do I get my foot in the door of film production?

The nature of the entertainment industry is such that entry-level positions are usually unpaid. However, there are some great internship opportunities around town, some of which require school credit while others do not.

The Texas Film Commission organizes the  Texas Production Manual , where companies that produce and create films are listed. Gaining an internship with one of these companies always helps to get your foot in the door. By networking with these companies, strong contacts within the Austin film industry are often forged.

While the Austin Film Society does not hire for any productions (not even those shooting at Austin Studios), AFS offers an internship program, which alternate three times a year. Participants are offered several opportunities to make contacts in the film industry, and involvement in our program is a good way to learn about the film community and meet local film leaders. Upon completion of the internship program, some participants may enter into the Film Referral Program, a program that rewards exemplary interns with direct referrals and recommendations to productions and media-related organizations in the Austin area. Referrals are made on a project-by-project basis according to the needs of the production and the availability and interests of the intern. The FRP does not guarantee employment, but it will get your resume in the office of a production with the recommendation of AFS. Interns at AFS can also gain film knowledge by participating in film-related workshops that vary by semester. AFS has made over 700 job placements through the program.

Though difficult, you should expect to work for free on productions. This will give you the connections and the reputation to get paid positions in the future. It is also a good way to get a title jump even when you are working regularly in a position. Again, it helps to check the crew calls listed on the Texas Film Commission’s website  and  AustinActors.net . The listings will detail whether or not the crew on a film will be paid or not.

Will the Austin Film Society get me a job on a film?

No, we do not do any hiring for film productions. Though we manage Austin Studios, we are not involved with hiring any crew. However, joining AFS will provide you with a strong knowledge of Austin’s film community, and attending AFS programs such as Works-In-Progress screenings, professional development classes and workshops is a great way to begin building your film network. The easiest way to meet a lot of local filmmakers is also to attend film screenings at the AFS Cinema.

I have experience but I am still not getting work. Do you have any other advice?

One of the most helpful aspects of the Austin film community its supportive nature. The Austin Film Society offers classes, networking events and professional development programs weekly, most of which takes place at our educational center and public access TV station, Austin Public. Attending events and courses gives you exposure to production, allows you to network with other filmmakers, and create a great working relationship with other filmmakers.

Aside from knowing the resources that AFS and Austin in general has to offer, one of the most important things is to be open minded. You are much more likely to find work if you can work in multiple departments. Most of the crew here who work regularly does so because they wear different hats. For example, if you a seeking work as a Set PA, don’t limit your opportunities to working under the Director. Explore different areas to gain experience and make connections (Craft Services, Extras Casting, etc.) It is also tough when you are just getting started or have just moved to town, but don’t limit your opportunities to full-time. Be willing to be a day player and work as needed. Those positions lead to more stable positions on productions, if not for this movie… maybe for the next. While you are getting started and building your resume, we recommend that you look into flexible jobs (temp services, restaurant/retail jobs, self-employment) so you can accept a position with little notice. This industry takes a lot of stamina and hard work. If you just moved to town, you have to earn your reputation again to some extent, but it will get easier. It just takes time and persistence.

In the spirit of independent film and Austin’s very own talent, the best advice that will make you very proactive is to create your own work and give yourself the job that you want. Don’t wait for that call; go make your own film. Austin Public is a terrific resource for anyone who wants access to the means of production. We offer equipment and studio rentals, and you can also become a part of the Producer program, which, after some training courses, gives you the best access to the studio facility and equipment. Robert Rodriguez edited his first films at the Austin Public facility in its early days.

I want to be a ___ for film. What should I do?

Contact others in the industry that hold these positions. You can often find these contacts through the  Texas Production Manual .

If you have no experience in a particular position, volunteer for productions so that you can gain as much experience as possible. If you have experience in this position, send your resume to the Production Coordinator on a project that is hiring in your area.

How do I tour the Studios?

Austin Studios is not open to the public. However, we do offer guided tours for classes and educational institutions who offer a film or media-based curriculum. All tours must be arranged in advance, please do not visit the Studios without an appointment. To inquire about a tour for your film or media-related group, please click here .

I want to rent a stage at Austin Studios.

If you work for a production interested in using the Studios facilities, please send an email to  [email protected]  or call us at 512-322-0145, ext. 3208 and provide more information about the project. We can arrange appointments for facility viewing if given notice in advance. For beginning filmmakers, you should be aware that we do require all productions have insurance.

What about other locations in Texas?

You should start to scout for locations well in advance of your production’s shooting dates. Independently owned businesses often have more leeway in allowing productions to film at their locations. To gain a permit for a location in Austin, contact the  Austin Film Commission , which is a part of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. They are able to provide suggestions, as is the  Texas Film Commission . The Film Commission has files of Texas location photos and can assist with scouting. They can be reached at 512.463.9200.

Where can I find crew?

Try the  Texas Film Commission  if you’d like information on listing a crew call for a production. In addition, we run the Film Referral Program, which places our former interns on productions. If you have any questions about our internship

Other places to post or research crew include:

• www.austinactors.net
• www.mandy.com
• Shoot Texas
• Austin Film Commission  at 512-583-7230

How can I get in touch with the talent on your productions?

The  Texas Film Commission  is your best bet. We do not give out any contact information. There are no guarantees that you will be able to contact the talent working on various productions in Texas. If you are interested in contacting talent for business reasons, find out who their agents and/or managers are. Here are some other places to do research on talent contact info:

• www.Variety.com
• www.IMDB.com

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The Bikeriders

After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must cho... Read all After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club. After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.

• Jeff Nichols
• Jodie Comer
• Austin Butler
• 7 User reviews
• 16 Critic reviews
• 73 Metascore

• Funny Sonny

• Gary Rogue Leader

• The Kid's Mother
• (as Mierka 'Mookie' Girten)

• The Kid's Father
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

The Big List of Summer Movies

Did you know

• Trivia In October 2018, Jeff Nichols revealed he had been thinking about making a biker film set in the 1960s for five years, although he did not at that stage have a script, and mentioned the idea on the set of Long Way Back Home to Michael Shannon who reportedly told him "You've been talking about that damn idea for so long. You're never gonna make that [film]".

Johnny : [from trailer] I've been thinking, I can run this club forever. I've built this from nothing. This is our family. You and me kid.

• Soundtracks Lonely Room Written by J. M. Rigter and Willie Murray Performed by Mickey Murray Courtesy of Sun Records

User reviews 7

• meltemorujova
• Oct 9, 2023
• How long will The Bikeriders be? Powered by Alexa
• June 21, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Official Instagram
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• Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
• Focus Features
• Regency Enterprises
• New Regency Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 56 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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