NEW FESTIVAL DATE: Saturday March 21, 2026 (changed from January 24th)

The Austin Public Library (APL) Spicewood Springs branch is seeking film submissions from Texas community members for our inaugural APL Film Festival! APL’s mission is to inspire all to discover, learn, and create. We are encouraging Texas community members of all ages and all skill levels to create a new short film or submit one that was recently made. Amateur and Expert filmmakers are welcome!

Films can be of any genre, subject or nature. If you need a little creative inspiration, you can make a film in response to the prompt: “I love the library because...”

Check out our library catalog for books on filmmaking, stop motion animation, iPhone photography, and more. https://library.austintexas.gov/

Get inspired by movies in our catalog, on Hoopla, or Kanopy.

Edit films using the Innovation Lab at our Central Library: https://library.austintexas.gov/makerspace

Awards & Prizes

Selected films will screen at APL's Spicewood Springs branch publicly.

Patrons/audiences will vote on their favorite film. Winner will receive an award certificate and APL swag.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The filmmaker/director must currently reside in Texas. Priority will be given to filmmakers in Central Texas.

You do not have to have an Austin Public Library Card to submit a film.

Film should be intended for general audiences.

Film submissions are limited to 3 per person.

Use of sound or video clips from other films, television shows, music videos, etc. within your submitted work is not permitted unless those clips are in the public domain or you have received written permission from the copyright holder. The APL Film Festival requires all filmmakers to obtain permission to use copyrighted music in their films. Filmmakers can also use their own original music. Additionally, copyright-free and public domain music can be used.

Review APL’s Lib Guide on Intellectual Property (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=10140638) including Public Domain (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=9584505), Creative Commons (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=9589728), and Copyright (https://library.austintexas.libguides.com/c.php?g=1304236&p=9584502) for additional information and resources.

Films do not need to incorporate the Austin Public Library. However, if you are interested in incorporating APL into your film(s) please review APL’s filming and photography policy within APL buildings. Permission is required. Details can be found here: https://library.austintexas.gov/policies#film_photography


FESTIVAL FEES

There is no fee to submit your film.

NOTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT

APL will inform all entrants no later than January 1st whether their film has been selected for the festival.

FILM LENGTHS

Films should be no longer than 7 minutes including credits.

If you have a longer film, you can submit; however, priority will be given to shorter films in the selection process.

FILE FORMATS

Submissions should be in one of the following formats:
.avi
.mov
.mpg
.mp4
.wmv
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Melissa Nguyen

    Great local free film festival. Excellent community-first library programming. Thank you for having the film festival and making it accessible to all types of filmmakers.

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Joe Coen

    Due to weather, the 2026 festival was postponed and rescheduled to later date. The organizers communicated clearly, keeping up to date. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend in person, but extremely grateful that my short Searching for Signs of Life on Mars was included in the festival. Definitely would submit my work again.

    March 2026
    Helpful