Austin Film Festival announced

[TeresaMLA]

Hello all,

I got my email from the AFF today. They have their website up WAY before the contest/conference which is a great improvement over last year.

The conference runs October 14-21. The screenplay contest deadline is May 7th.

I've been to this conference for the last two years and it's truly a wonderful experience, especially for new writers. Everyone is so laid back there that it also provides a great networking opportunity. This is one of the few places that the writers are the stars of the show. (not the directors/actors/prodcos)

Here's the link and good luck!

www.austinfilmfestival.com (http://www.austinfilmfestival.com)

[noh1]

I went a couple years back, and had a great time. Was a blast and learned some stuff.

[oneyou]

Hi Teresa,

Would you mind sharing your AFF experience with all of us *haven't been's*? I'm thinking of going and I'd like to know what I'm getting for my money, and with the additional cost of staying at a hotel that's some chunk of change

How much was the hotel?

Did you stay there for the whole festival (14th-21st)?

What were the events that filled your day?

What was the *vibe* like? Impersonal or did you have a sense of being part of the community?

Anything else you can add will be helpful!

Thanks!!!
one

[TeresaMLA]

Hi one,

The first time I went, I stayed with a friend. Bad idea. She lived way too far away and was lazy and I missed half the conferences while she was sleeping in. The second time I stayed at the Driskill which is where the conference is held and a lot of the guest speakers stay. It was about $165 a night. If you get a couple of people to go with you and share the expense it's not too bad. Plus, it's right on 6th street.

You don't have to stay at the Driskill, but I would definitely stay at one of the hotels right in that 3 or 4 block area. Then you can walk to everything and be in the heart of the action.

A lot of the guests and conference goers hang out chatting and drinking during all hours of the night at the Driskill bar.. another reason to be close. Bryan Singer and Shane Black were only two of the notables hanging out at the bar. The agents and other writers hung out there too. I loved hanging out with those 'Ain't it Cool News' guys, they were a lot of fun.

The conferences have TONS of great information and you are normally very free to ask all the questions you want. I got about $20,000 in free legal advice at one of the seminars. :D

I stayed for the writers conference... + a day before and a day after because I wasn't into going to that many films. Although Mystic River and Elf were shown there and I got to see Elf... missed Mystic River. It's basically a very exhausting but worthwhile experience. I plan to go back every year until I'm eventually a speaker at the conference. :smokin

[cschorr]

i've been a couple of times as well. the elbow-rubbing at the Driskill bar alone is worth the money--the vibe is very informal and the panelists hang out and chat freely.

the panels themselves are by and large incredibly informative and interactive. there's a lot of 'how do i get an agent?' from the attendees, but once you wade past that, there's good stuff to be had.

if you've got the cash, i'd highly recommend it. i'd also endorse teresa's recommendation to stay downtown. it's hard to find your way outta there at 4 a.m. ;)

[Tenaciouscb]

I went for the first time last year, and I'm already looking forward to this year's conference.

The bar is definitely the best place to "bump into" pro writers and other players. I had the chance to talk with Brian Helgeland for over half an hour - that was a treat.

Thing is, it is a bunch of dough. I almost didn't go because of the cost. Honestly, if I don't make it to the second round (and thus get a break in price, and access to more panels), I might stay home. We'll see.

If you can, go.

CB

[oneyou]

It sounds like a blast! Hopefully I can find a couple of people to split the hotel with. If not I'll just use the money for a down payment for a Mini Cooper!!!

It's great that the VIBE is good there, sitting and typing at a desk or in bed alone all year is not FUN and the internet is not a good substitute for human contact(duh).

Thanks for the info. Keep it commin!

one