Austin Spotlight Film Festival

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Austin Spotlight Film Festival puts the spotlight on indie filmmakers! ASFF is an international film festival held at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX. We accept all types of short films, screenplays, features, music videos, & even trailers.

5 years & 16 showcases, ASFF is listed as one of the "TOP 100 BEST REVIEWED FESTIVALS ON FilmFreeway"!
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."

The international judge panel selects a wide array of films & screenplays for our annual showcase. All selections are promoted on our website & social media. Those films are also showcased at Southwest Theater Lake Creek, where audience members will vote for the top film to be featured on our website for the following year!
Following the screening, there will be an Award Ceremony - where we acknowledge the incredible efforts with over 30 awards.

The biggest awards go to the "AUDIENCE CHOICE OF THE YEAR" & "JUDGE'S CHOICE OF THE YEAR". Those winners are also highlighted on our website & social media all year.
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 CINEMATOGRAPHER
BEST ENSEMBLE
BEST EDITOR
BEST WRITER
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST SCORE
MOST ORIGINAL CONCEPT
& MANY 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

Miriam Pinedo

The work put into Austin Spotlight is impeccable. Every aspect of the festival is well thought out and executed with extreme professionalism. It's been a pleasure and an honor to be part of this festival. A wonderful experience I hope to repeat again. Thank you to the whole team at Austin Spotlight for the positive experience. Your hard work and professionalism are spot on and greatly appreciated.

October 2020

Helpful
Matt Rosenblatt

Austin Spotlight has always been a great time. They do a great job of communicating and always get a good crowd out for the screenings.

October 2020

Helpful
Meik V. Fischer

A great festival for any writer. There's a lot of communication so you're always "in the loop". Plus, they put a lot of effort in being present on social media. This enables a certain amount of exposure for the artist which is always a good thing. You also get to meet fun and interesting people. Thank you Austin Spotlight for this great experience.

October 2020

Helpful
Jonathan Zarantonello

Very pleasant communication with the director Ali, great festival, thanks!

October 2020

Helpful
Erica Bock

Great people! Very welcoming! Fun location!

October 2020

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

September 10, 2020
Opening Date
October 14, 2020
Earlybird Deadline 1
November 18, 2020
Earlybird Deadline 2
December 16, 2020
Earlybird Deadline 3
January 15, 2021
Regular Deadline 1
February 17, 2021
Regular Deadline 2
March 17, 2021
Regular Deadline 3
April 15, 2021
Late Deadline 1
May 19, 2021
Late Deadline 2
June 17, 2021
Late Deadline 3
July 22, 2021
Last Call
August 11, 2021
Notification Date
September 18, 2021
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Narrative Short
Narrative shorts must be under 40 minutes in length.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $27
- Gold Members: $24
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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
Feature
Feature length projects must be under 2 hours in length, but over 40 minutes. Features may fall into any genre.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $53
- Gold Members: $47
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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.
- Earlybird Deadline 1
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 2
- Standard: $20
- Gold Members: $18
- Earlybird Deadline 3
- 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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Miriam Pinedo

Matt Rosenblatt

Meik V. Fischer

Jonathan Zarantonello

Erica Bock