The Austin Film Society mission is to promote the appreciation of film and support creative media production. Our programs and services are anchored in three departments: Exhibition, Artist Services and Community Education. AFS also operates Austin Studios, a 20-acre media production facility that produces a significant economic impact for the city. The culmination of our programs and services encourage, promote and improve the arts community in Austin. AFS does this by: • Programming diverse and important films • Supporting regional artists through education, community-building and cash • Providing learning opportunities to youth and adults • Operating Austin Studios, which serves a wide range of budget levels • Providing leadership to promote and attract film in Austin

Arts & Culture , Film & Video

Essential Cinema: Our Essential Cinema series, a weekly community staple, offers film selections diverse in content, style and origin. Program notes written by scholars, filmmakers, fans or curators are distributed at each film, posted on our website and linked to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB). Documentary Series: Each month, we program important classic and contemporary documentary films. AFS typically flies the filmmaker to Austin to participate in lively Q&As. The discussion between artist and audience continues with gatherings at local bars. Avant Cinema: This near-monthly presentation showcases local and visiting artists who work in the experimental, avant-garde style of filmmaking. The films are demanding, and the committed audience enjoys rigorous discussion with the creative artists. Best of the Fests: Our newest monthly exhibition series showcases recent narrative and documentary features that won awards and delighted audiences on the national festival circuit but failed to get distribution deals. AFS brings these gems to Austin audiences and provides a special opportunity for filmmakers to continue screening their work. Texas Independent Film Network: This statewide coalition of film societies, universities and independent theaters takes a different Texas-made independent feature film on a circuit across the state each month, stopping in small towns, population centers, museums and college campuses. AFS Selects: We adopt one to two films per month from the exciting slate of films showing at the Violet Crown. Their offerings closely parallel our own tastes in independent, documentary and international fare to a remarkable degree. We are excited to support films that we love and to share them AFS Members (who attend for free!). Co-Sponsored Films: AFS provides financial, promotional and technical support to a score of community groups and organizations. These collaborations help us reach more people in terms of both quality and diversity. (See Exhibition Partners on pg. 10 of this application.) Special Screenings: AFS programs current cinema as advance screenings and red carpet premieres to raise funds and awareness of the importance of film as an art form, sometimes converting casual filmgoers to arthouse aficionados. We often bring the filmmakers and celebrity talent to Austin. We also schedule special screenings throughout the year, such as an AFS member showcase at the SXSW Film Festival. Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund (TFPF): The keynote of our artist services program, TFPF has awarded $1,156,311 in cash and $97,000 in goods and services to 360 film and video projects since 1996 with 80% going to Austin-based projects. We fly a panel of three nationally recognized artists to Austin to select the grantees. We continue to support funded projects throughout their development, and unsuccessful applicants receive detailed feedback. No comparable regional program exists in the USA. Texas Filmmakers’ Travel Grant: We set aside a portion of the funds raised for TFPF every year to disburse travel stipends to Texas filmmakers invited to screen work at prestigious film festivals around the world. Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund Workshops: We visit Texas cities to teach valuable grantwriting skills, which artists can apply to any prospective grant application. By their nature, these workshops promote Austin as a creative mecca. TFPF Promotional Gatherings: We organize celebrations of TFPF-funded films and filmmakers at major film festivals. In years past, we have hosted events at the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW and the Austin Film Festival. We also put together an annual event to celebrate the announcement of the grantees at the end of the TFPF cycle. We invite TFPF alumni and provide a networking opportunity for recipients past and present. Fiscal Sponsorship: Our fiscal sponsorship program provides an effective fundraising channel for 20 – 25 projects. Sponsored projects are eligible to appl