Austin is a hub of creatives and artists. It’s home to countless theaters, dive-bars, music shops, and murals. So it makes sense that so many festivals find permanent homes downtown, amid the color and culture of Austin’s sprawling cityscape. October is a busy time in Austin. Halloween, ACL, and most recently, the 32nd annual Austin Film Festival. 

The writers festival stretches from October 23rd-30th. This year there was a showcasing of 183 films from 32 countries, an incredible range of talents and topics. 

As a self-proclaimed film nerd with a Lone Star pass in hand, I was debating quitting my job and dropping out of school to make the most of the week. 

While my parents weren’t on board with the entirety of that plan, I still spent a lot of time running around downtown watching movies. 

MOVIE WATCHING

For me, the festival started Friday night with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the last of the trilogy. I arrived an hour and a half early and waited in the badge-holders line at the Paramount. While a badge lets you into the building, it doesn’t guarantee you a spot. It’s every man for himself once the doors open, so I was locked in. 

I don’t mind waiting in lines. The people-watching at festivals is always spectacular, and the buzz before a highly anticipated movie is infectious. 

Wake Up Dead Man was a masterclass in film. Daniel Craig was an obvious powerhouse, but most of the actors were incredibly strong. Josh O’Conner held his own as a flawed yet likeable priest, and the film flowed from one scene​ to the next. 

There’s no feeling to describe the experience of watching a movie premier with people that are just as excited as you. The entire audience laughs with one voice, sharing an experience that transcends an at-home movie watching experience. The excitement is palpable, the joy is unmistakable. Film has the power to bring people together in the most beautiful ways. I didn’t stop smiling for the entire showing.

I did not have the same reaction for the next movie on the docket, The Long Shot. The Long Shot is a movie set in Austin about a group of misfits trying to save their beloved Municipal golf course. While the synopsis of the movie is endearing, the end product felt like a Hallmark movie that was missing the emotion and character of Austin. 

It might have had its moments, but I walked upstairs to the second story of the Bullock for the next showing with a sense of disappointment. This feeling did not last long however, as my favorite movie of the festival was next on the docket. 

Crystal Cross is a visually stunning film about a suicidal dad and a wannabe-singer escaping her criminal boyfriend. There are a few movies that truly capture the complex feeling of being a human, and this was one of them. With an impressive all-original soundtrack and shoe string budget, I was shocked by the quality and beauty in every shot and line of this movie. 

A charming Q&A with the director, writer, and lead made me wish that more people had been in attendance. 

There’s something insanely cool about seeing the creators of a film in person. There were several people that I recognized at other shows after watching their movie. They go from regular viewers to the creators of something meaningful and important.

It was also a very humanizing experience, seeing people you admire in such a humble and personal light. They were on the whole, so likeable. Just regular people that had an idea and fought for it. I have so much respect for film makers, especially in a time where the rise of AI and short-form content threatens the work they feel called to do. 

MOVIE WRITING

The Austin Film Festival was “for the writers” this year. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that over this past week, wondering why this was such a significant action. 

There’s a lot of fear in the creative world about the future. You can feel it in everything, even the triumphant moments. Everything is unknown. The looming threat of technology replacing humans is a through line in every celebration of film. 

“For the writers” is a line drawn in the sand. It is a reminder that the most important parts of a movie are the people behind it. The ability to laugh in a movie theater and the desire to talk about it afterwards. That’s what this is all about. 

I heard this sentiment echoed throughout my time at the festival, especially from the creators themselves. 

This festival wasn’t my first experience with panels, but was by far the most successful one. The conversations flowed naturally, and there was usually time for the audience to ask questions.

This fluidity was especially impressive for the short series panels. With so many creators and representatives for each film, it was a testament to the skill and effectiveness of the festival.

MOVIE SHORTS

The first of these showings was called Shorts that Bump in the Night and was a minorly disappointing experience. Shorts are such an interesting form of media. How do you take seven minutes and properly scare your audience? Although I found that collection to fall short overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the next short series: Digital Shorts. 

The filmmakers had a longer amount of time to work with, which allowed for more development of both characters and plot. Every short brought something interesting, and the production was much better overall.

Some of my favorite projects were at this showing, rapid fire programs that brought a sitcom-pilot type energy. From a mockumentary about a children’s talent agent to a not-so-true story about the life of Betsy Ross, the Digital Series kept me guessing.

MOVIE THEATRE

The theater it was in was decent too, smaller than the others showcased at the festival. The Galaxy Theaters downtown are what you visualize when you picture a classic cinema experience. Sticky seats, digital movie posters, and lots of popcorn. 

My favorite theater that we went to was definitely the Paramount. If you haven’t been to the Paramount, you’re missing out. The theater opened in 1915, and you can feel the history in every seat in the house. 

One of my earliest memories is sitting in the front row of a Sound of Music showing. The feeling of rumbling feet in the opening scene, the breathtaking cinema that is made even better by the gigantic screen. 

I’ve been back to the Paramount dozens of times since then, and I can safely say that there is not a bad seat in the house. 

Another standout is the Bob Bullock IMAX theater, where I eventually ended my film festival experience, surrounded by critics, producers, directors, and film fans like myself. 

The Austin Film Festival was an unforgettable experience. To be able to see incredible movies in completely new environments was so special. I love Austin. It’s a rich tapestry of art and music and the weirdest bunch out there. To experience new theaters and new parts of the city was so special. 

Growing up in one place for your whole life can take away from the magic around you. I got used to it. The film festival reminded me why I love it here, why film is so important, and why popcorn is such a beloved snack.