October might be the best month of the year to be a movie fan in Austin.

The weather is finally starting to cooperate, patios are becoming enjoyable again, downtown gets busy with people carrying festival schedules and coffee cups, and for eight days Austin becomes one giant gathering place for filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, movie lovers and people who simply want to see something they haven’t seen before.

The big event this month is the Austin Film Festival, running October 24 through October 31 in 2024. The 31st annual festival brings together feature films, documentaries, shorts, world premieres, screenwriting panels, industry guests and networking events throughout downtown Austin.

But here’s the thing about Austin Film Festival: you don’t have to be a filmmaker to enjoy it.

You don’t even have to know anything about screenwriting.

You just have to love movies.

And if you know how to work the festival — where to go, what to see, where to eat between screenings and what to do after the movies — you can turn a single screening into an entire Austin night.

WHAT MAKES AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL DIFFERENT?

Austin has plenty of film events.

The Austin Film Society has year-round programming.

Fantastic Fest brings the horror, science-fiction and genre crowd.

SXSW has become a massive entertainment industry event.

But Austin Film Festival has its own personality.

It’s about storytelling.

The festival’s Writers Conference is a major part of the event, with more than 150 panels, more than 200 industry panelists and more than 20 networking events in 2024.

That means you’re not just watching movies.

You’re hearing writers and filmmakers talk about how those movies actually got made.

For anyone interested in film, television or writing, that can be just as interesting as the screenings themselves.

THE 2024 FESTIVAL RUNS OCTOBER 24-31

The 2024 Austin Film Festival runs from Thursday, October 24 through Thursday, October 31.

That means the festival overlaps with Halloween, which is basically perfect for Austin.

The festival’s registration and information center was based at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, with screenings and conference events spread throughout downtown venues.

This is important because you shouldn’t think of AFF as one location.

It’s a downtown festival.

You’re going to be walking.

You’re going to be checking your schedule.

You’re going to be figuring out how long it takes to get from one theater to another.

And you’re going to be making decisions about which movie you want to see next.

DON’T TRY TO SEE EVERYTHING

This is the biggest beginner mistake.

You open the festival schedule.

You see hundreds of possibilities.

Suddenly you’ve scheduled eight movies in one day.

Don’t do it.

You’re going to get tired.

You’re going to miss meals.

You’re going to spend the entire day looking at your phone.

And eventually you’ll start wondering why you paid money to sit in a dark room for 14 straight hours.

Pick the movies you’re genuinely excited about.

Then leave some space.

The best festival experience isn’t necessarily the one where you see the most movies.

It’s the one where you discover something you didn’t expect.

LOOK FOR THE MOVIES THAT AREN’T ON EVERYONE’S LIST

This is one of the best Austin Film Festival strategies.

Everybody knows about the big centerpiece movies.

Everybody wants to see the major premieres.

But the smaller films are where you can sometimes find the real surprises.

The 2024 lineup included world premieres such as Crossword, The Fetch, Operation Taco Gary’s, Subtopia: The Story of Hueco Canyon, Texas Cult House and The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia.

You may not recognize those titles.

That’s okay.

That’s the point.

Look at the description.

Look at the filmmaker.

Look at the cast.

If something sounds interesting, take the chance.

OPERATION TACO GARY’S

Even the title tells you that AFF doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Operation Taco Gary’s, starring Simon Rex, Dustin Milligan, Jason Biggs and Brenda Song, was among the 2024 world premieres.

A title like that is exactly the kind of thing you should pay attention to when building your festival schedule.

Maybe it’s great.

Maybe it’s completely insane.

Maybe you love it.

Maybe you hate it.

At a film festival, either outcome can be entertaining.

THE ORDER WAS ONE OF THE BIG FILMS OF 2024

The 2024 festival featured The Order as its centerpiece film.

The film was one of the major titles AFF highlighted in its full schedule announcement, alongside The Brutalist and September 5.

This is where having a festival pass can make a difference.

The big screenings can attract major crowds, so don’t assume you can stroll in five minutes before showtime and get a great seat.

Plan ahead.

ARRIVE EARLY FOR THE BIG SCREENINGS

This is one of the most important festival rules.

If you really want to see a particular movie, don’t arrive at the last second.

Austin Film Festival has multiple venues, different screening capacities and heavily anticipated films.

A big movie can fill up.

And nothing is more frustrating than having a ticket or pass and discovering that you still need to plan your arrival carefully.

Give yourself time.

Get there early.

Find the theater.

Use the bathroom.

Get a drink.

Then relax.

THE WRITERS CONFERENCE IS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Even if you aren’t trying to become a professional screenwriter, some of the Writers Conference panels can be fascinating.

You’re getting people who actually work in the industry talking about storytelling, television, movies, characters, pitching, writing and the realities of getting something made.

In 2024, the conference featured more than 150 panels and more than 200 panelists.

That’s an enormous amount of information packed into one week.

And some of the best lessons aren’t necessarily about writing.

They’re about how movies actually get made.

DON’T JUST GO TO PANELS ABOUT WRITING

If you’re attending the conference, don’t feel like you have to choose only panels that sound directly related to your job or hobby.

A panel about producing might teach you something about writing.

A panel about television might explain why certain movies are structured differently.

A conversation with a director might completely change the way you watch movies.

The festival is about storytelling.

That’s much broader than screenwriting.

THE NETWORKING IS A BIG PART OF IT

Austin Film Festival has always had a reputation for bringing writers and filmmakers together.

But you don’t have to be some Hollywood insider to talk to people.

You’re already surrounded by people who love movies.

Talk to them.

Ask what they’ve seen.

Ask what they’re excited about.

Ask where they’re from.

Ask which screening they’re heading to next.

Somebody standing in line next to you may know more about independent film than almost anyone you’ve ever met.

And they may give you the recommendation that becomes your favorite movie of the festival.

THE LINE IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

This is another thing new festival attendees don’t always understand.

You’re going to stand in lines.

Use them.

This is where people talk.

It’s where you find out which movies were surprisingly good.

It’s where people tell you which panel you should attend.

It’s where you hear about parties.

And it’s where you can meet people without having to force a networking conversation.

Don’t stare at your phone the entire time.

Talk to somebody.

PLAN YOUR FOOD AROUND THE FESTIVAL

This is where Austin comes in.

You don’t need to eat at the theater between every screening.

Downtown Austin has enough restaurants, bars, coffee shops and quick-service options that you can build food into your festival schedule.

The key is don’t choose a restaurant that’s going to take 90 minutes when you have a movie in 45 minutes.

Fast casual is your friend.

Tacos.

Pizza.

Sandwiches.

Burgers.

Food trucks.

Quick coffee.

Save the long dinner for after your last screening.

BREAKFAST TACOS ARE YOUR FRIEND

If you’re going to spend all day watching movies, start with breakfast.

And this is Austin.

So obviously that means breakfast tacos.

Get something filling.

Eggs.

Potatoes.

Bacon.

Sausage.

Whatever you like.

You’re going to be sitting in dark theaters for hours.

You don’t want to be starving halfway through the second movie.

COFFEE BEFORE THE FIRST SCREENING

You’re probably going to need it.

Especially if you’re doing early panels.

October is finally cool enough that getting coffee before starting your day actually feels enjoyable.

Find a downtown coffee shop.

Get there early.

Look over the schedule.

Decide what you’re actually going to see.

Then start your festival day.

LUNCH SHOULD BE QUICK

Don’t make lunch complicated.

You have movies to see.

Find something close to your next venue.

Tacos are perfect.

Pizza is perfect.

A sandwich is perfect.

You don’t need a three-course meal at 2 p.m.

Save that for later.

DINNER IS WHEN YOU CAN SLOW DOWN

After your final movie, that’s when you can actually enjoy Austin.

Find a restaurant.

Order a real meal.

Get a cocktail.

Talk about the movies.

Argue about which one was best.

And then figure out what you’re doing afterward.

This is one of the best parts of the festival.

You’re not just going home after the movie.

The city is right outside.

CONGRESS AVENUE IS YOUR PLAYGROUND

Many festival activities take place around downtown Austin, making Congress Avenue and the surrounding streets a natural base for your evening.

You’re close to theaters.

Bars.

Restaurants.

Hotels.

Coffee shops.

Music venues.

That makes it easy to turn the festival into a full night out.

GO TO A BAR AFTER THE MOVIE

This is an Austin Film Festival tradition worth adopting.

Don’t immediately go back to your hotel.

Find a bar.

Order a drink.

Talk about what you just watched.

You’ll quickly find out that movie people have opinions.

Strong opinions.

Somebody will tell you the movie you loved was terrible.

Somebody else will tell you the movie you hated was a masterpiece.

That’s part of the fun.

THE PARAMOUNT IS PART OF THE MAGIC

Seeing a film at the Paramount Theatre is one of those Austin experiences that makes a festival screening feel different.

The historic theater itself is part of the experience.

If you get the opportunity to see one of the festival’s major screenings there, take it.

You aren’t simply watching a movie.

You’re watching a movie in one of Austin’s most recognizable theaters.

STATE THEATRE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT STOP

The State Theatre on Congress is another major part of the downtown film experience.

In 2024, festival screenings included films such as Party People at the State Theatre, with another screening at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center.

That makes the downtown theater district particularly convenient.

You can move between venues without having to spend your entire day driving.

DON’T FORGET THE AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY

Austin’s film culture doesn’t begin and end with Austin Film Festival.

The Austin Film Society runs programming throughout the year at AFS Cinema.

In October 2024, AFS was also presenting its Frederick Wiseman series and other special programs, including the October 11-13 To the Front series featuring independent films from the 1990s and appearances by the filmmakers.

So if you’re a serious movie fan, October is basically Christmas.

There’s something happening everywhere.

THE BEST FANTASTIC FEST VS. AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL COMPARISON

If you’ve been to Fantastic Fest, here’s the easiest way to think about it:

Fantastic Fest: genre movies, horror, science fiction, cult films, midnight insanity and a more chaotic atmosphere.

Austin Film Festival: screenwriting, storytelling, filmmakers, independent movies, industry panels and a broader range of cinema.

Both are great.

They’re just different.

And if you love movies, you should experience both.

THE BEST WAY TO DO AFF ON A BUDGET

You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune.

If you’re trying to save money, prioritize the movies.

Eat cheaply.

Walk between venues.

Use public transportation when practical.

Skip expensive festival parties if they’re not included.

Find bars with happy hour.

And don’t feel like you need to buy something every time you sit down.

Austin is expensive enough without turning every coffee break into a $20 purchase.

WALK BETWEEN VENUES

This is one of the biggest advantages of Austin Film Festival.

A lot of the festival activity is concentrated downtown.

That means you can walk.

Walking saves money.

It saves time compared with trying to find parking.

And it gives you a chance to experience downtown Austin while the festival is happening.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Seriously.

BRING A BACKUP PLAN

Your first-choice movie might be sold out.

A panel might fill up.

You might discover that you don’t actually want to sit through the movie you thought you wanted to see.

That’s normal.

Have a second choice.

Then a third.

The best festival attendees aren’t rigid.

They adapt.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE A MOVIE

This is controversial.

But it’s true.

If you’re absolutely miserable 45 minutes into a movie, you don’t have to stay.

There are hundreds of other things happening.

Go find another screening.

Go to a panel.

Get food.

Get a drink.

Take a walk.

You’re at a film festival.

You have options.

THE HALLOWEEN CONNECTION

One of the fun things about the 2024 festival schedule is that it runs all the way through Halloween.

That means the final days of AFF overlap with one of Austin’s biggest party nights.

You can spend Halloween watching movies and then head into the city’s nightlife afterward.

That’s a pretty good Austin combination.

OCTOBER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO EXPLORE AUSTIN’S BAR SCENE

The temperatures are finally becoming manageable.

That means you can actually sit outside.

East Sixth becomes more comfortable.

Rainey Street is busy.

Downtown rooftops become appealing again.

Red River is packed with live music.

And neighborhood bars start opening their patios.

After spending the day indoors watching movies, getting outside for a drink feels even better.

THE BALLER ATX AFF DAY

Here’s how I’d do it.

9:00 a.m.

Breakfast tacos and coffee.

10:00 a.m.

First panel or screening.

12:30 p.m.

Quick lunch.

1:30 p.m.

Second screening.

4:00 p.m.

Coffee or a drink and a break.

5:30 p.m.

Third movie.

8:00 p.m.

Dinner.

9:30 p.m.

Bar.

11:00 p.m.

Another drink or late-night food.

Midnight

Decide whether you’re actually going to sleep or whether you’re going to a midnight screening.

That’s the beauty of Austin Film Festival.

You can make the day whatever you want.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP: DON’T OVERPLAN

You can’t predict which movie will become your favorite.

You can’t predict who you’re going to meet.

You can’t predict which panel will be unexpectedly great.

And you can’t predict which bar you’re going to end up at afterward.

That’s why you leave room for the unexpected.

Have a plan.

But don’t let the plan control you.

OCTOBER IN AUSTIN IS ABOUT DISCOVERY

That’s really what Austin Film Festival represents.

Discovery.

A new filmmaker.

A new writer.

A new movie.

A new restaurant.

A new bar.

A new part of downtown.

Maybe you’ll watch a movie you’ve never heard of and absolutely love it.

Maybe you’ll hear a screenwriter explain how they came up with an idea and suddenly understand why the movie worked.

Maybe you’ll meet somebody who tells you about another film festival.

Maybe you’ll walk out of a theater and discover a bar you didn’t know existed.

That’s Austin.

THE BALLER ATX OCTOBER CHECKLIST

See at least one Austin Film Festival movie.

See a movie you know nothing about.

Attend a Writers Conference panel.

See a screening at a historic downtown theater.

Eat breakfast tacos.

Find a good downtown happy hour.

Walk between venues.

Talk to somebody in line.

Go to a bar after a movie.

Try something outside your normal movie preferences.

Check out Austin Film Society programming.

And leave room for something unexpected.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Austin Film Festival is one of those events that makes Austin feel like Austin.

It brings movies into the middle of downtown.

It brings writers and filmmakers into local bars and restaurants.

It gives audiences the chance to discover movies before everybody else is talking about them.

And it gives regular Austinites another reason to spend an entire day downtown.

You don’t have to be a filmmaker.

You don’t have to be a screenwriter.

You don’t have to understand the film business.

You just have to like movies.

So grab your schedule, put on comfortable shoes, get some breakfast tacos and prepare to spend the day bouncing between theaters, panels, restaurants and bars.

And when somebody asks you which movie they should see, don’t automatically recommend the biggest one.

Tell them about the weird one you found.

Because that’s usually where the best stories begin.

Welcome to Austin Film Festival season.