Austin Film Festival Young Filmmakers Competition

The Young Filmmakers Competition is Austin Film Festival's free short-film competition for filmmakers ages 13 to 18. Selected animated, documentary and narrative shorts from around the world screen in a Young Filmmakers Showcase during the festival; FilmFreeway lists the Galaxy Highland 10 Theatre in North Austin as the venue. The 2026 call opened February 5 and closed August 29, with notifications on October 9 and screenings during the October 29–November 5 festival. Selected filmmakers receive two festival badges, and a jury picks one film for the Young Filmmakers Program Jury Award, which includes up to $500 in travel reimbursement and a two-night hotel stay. It is part of AFF's Young Filmmakers Program, which also runs camps and classes.

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