Austin Spotlight Film Festival

ASFF puts the spotlight on indie filmmakers! As featured in the Austin Chronicle, "Austin Spotlight is not intended as the antidote to festivals, but to complement them, and provide more immediate, opportunities." 7 years & 16 showcases, ASFF is the best home for upcoming talent.

The international judge panel selects a wide array of films & screenplays including narrative, horror, comedy, documentary, feature, music video, & even trailers. All selections are promoted on our website & social media. Selected films are showcased at Southwest Theater, where audience members will have the opportunity to vote for the top film to be featured on our website for the following year. Following the screening, there is a Q&A with all attending filmmakers & screenplay selections. Stick around for the Award Ceremony - where we acknowledge the incredible efforts with over 30 awards & trophies!

Trophies go to the "AUDIENCE CHOICE" & "JUDGE'S CHOICE".
We give several other awards, including:
BEST SCREENPLAY (FEATURE & SHORT)
BEST NARRATIVE (FILM & SCREENPLAY)
BEST COMEDY (FILM & SCREENPLAY)
BEST HORROR (FILM & SCREENPLAY)
BEST ANIMATION
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
BEST DOCUMENTARY
BEST MICRO-SHORT
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST ENSEMBLE
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
MOST ORIGINAL CONCEPT
& MORE...

NO WAIVERS!
All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
Films must be original works.
By submitting the material, the applicant hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the festival & its employees from any liability, claims, and damages in connection with the submission and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

I/We understand that failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

I/We agree to hold the Austin Spotlight Film Festival harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any film submitted to the Festival.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Alisha Banks

I really want to thank the team at Austin Spotlight for their thoughtful curation, excellent communication and inclusivity. This was the first festival that I have attended with my own work - I had a great time and felt so welcomed. An all around great experience and thank you so much for the award!

October 2022

Helpful
Neil Goodchild

Special thanks to the Austin Spotlight Film Festival for nominating my script 'Alive And Well' for Best Narrative Screenplay. The experience was a first, extra kudos to Ali for the quick responses, fast notifications and updates. Looking forward to trying again next year!

October 2022

Helpful
Chad Trudgeon

A wonderful festival with a great selection of films. Ali and his team do a fantastic job of celebrating cinema and involving the filmmakers!

October 2022

Helpful
Jason-Christopher Mayer

Everything was great! Can’t wait to submit next year!

October 2022

Helpful
Darren Haskins

Although unable to attend just happy to know Ali and his team are having live events for filmmakers to network and see other creative projects in person. Great communication and very appreciative to have been a selection for best horror short script with Hard As It Gets. Keep up the good work.

October 2022

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

August 9, 2022
Opening Date
October 14, 2022
Super Earlybird Deadline
November 18, 2022
Earlybird Deadline
December 16, 2022
Earlybird Deadline
January 15, 2023
Regular Deadline 1
February 17, 2023
Regular Deadline 2
March 17, 2023
Regular Deadline 3
April 15, 2023
Late Deadline 1
May 19, 2023
Late Deadline 2
June 17, 2023
Late Deadline 3
August 6, 2023
Last Call
August 9, 2023
Notification Date
September 24, 2023
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Narrative Short
Narrative shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Comedy Short
Comedy shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Sci-fi Short
Sci-fi shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Horror Short
Horror shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Documentary Short
Documentary shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Music Video
Music Videos must be under 20 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Experimental Short
Experimental shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Animation Short
Animation shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Smartphone Short
Film must be shot entirely on a smartphone.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $37
- Gold Members: $33
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $42
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $47
- Gold Members: $42
- Last Call
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
Submit Now
Micro Short
Micro Shorts must be under 2 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Student Short
Student shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Feature
Feature length projects must be under 2 hours in length, but over 40 minutes. Features may fall into any genre.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Gold Members: $47
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $57
- Gold Members: $51
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $65
- Gold Members: $58
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $67
- Gold Members: $60
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $70
- Gold Members: $63
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $75
- Gold Members: $67
- Last Call
- Standard: $80
- Gold Members: $72
Submit Now
Trailer
Trailers must be under 10 minutes in length.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Feature Screenplay: Narrative
Narrative Feature Screenplays must be over 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Last Call
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
Submit Now
Feature Screenplay: Comedy
Comedy Feature Screenplays must be over 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Last Call
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
Submit Now
Feature Screenplay: Horror
Horror Feature Screenplays must be over 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Last Call
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
Submit Now
Short Screenplay: Narrative
Narrative Short Screenplays must be under 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Short Screenplay: Comedy
Comedy Short Screenplays must be under 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Short Screenplay: Horror
Horror Short Screenplays must be under 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Short Screenplay: TV Pilot
Horror Short Screenplays must be under 40 pages.
- Super Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Regular Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Regular Deadline 3
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Late Deadline 1
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 2
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Late Deadline 3
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Last Call
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now

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