Bring Your Story to the Heart of Texas – Submit to the 11th Indie Meme Film Festival

Since 2013, the Indie Meme Film Festival has been championing bold, authentic storytelling from South Asia—connecting filmmakers with engaged, passionate audiences in Austin, Texas. Our 11th edition will take place April 22–26, 2026, with in-person screenings and special events at the Austin Film Society Cinema (AFS Cinema).

Named “Best International Passport” by The Austin Chronicle, IMFF has become a go-to platform in the U.S. for powerful, distinctive voices from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and beyond.

We curate films that move, challenge, and inspire—spanning social dramas, family sagas, comedies, documentaries, genre films, and experimental shorts. If your project tells a story rooted in the South Asian experience or perspective, we want to see it.

As a filmmaker at IMFF, you can expect:

-A highly engaged audience that values independent cinema and global perspectives.

-Q&As, panels, and networking with peers, industry members, and the vibrant Austin film community.

-A platform in one of America’s fastest-growing creative hubs, where your work won’t get lost in the noise.

Your film deserves to be seen. Let’s bring your vision to the big screen in Austin.

Awards & Prizes

IMFF@Austin has the following awards:

JURY AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary
Best Short

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary
Best Short

Note: The films which qualify for the awards cannot be special/ exclusive screenings and must be open to the general public.

Rules & Terms

We prefer working with Digital DCPs and would be requesting those rather than hard drives shipped.

We are looking for particular deliverables in terms of publicity material - which will be shared once the film is selected.

The IMFF@Austin 2026 programming will be finalized by end of February 2026 - which is when the IMFF2026 Programming Team will inform submissions received through FilmFreeway.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Vivek Menon

    We were so lucky to have our Texas premiere of Showtime at Indie Meme this year- the festival was organized and executed at the highest level, and every event was curated around helping filmmakers create a community to share our stories. Thank you so much for such an unforgettable experience and can't wait to come back next year!

    May 2026
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  • vaishali Sinha

    This was my second Indie Meme festival. I was here in 2018 with my feature documentary ASK THE SEXPERT. The festival organizers, volunteers and audiences alike provided one of the most memorable experiences. I was a returning filmmaker this year with GIVE IT A SHOT, another feature documentary, Not only was I blown away by the festival again, but also AFS theater, projectionist, the social media team, practically everyone worked so hard to elevate each film and filmmaker. Thrilled to share we won the Jury award for Best Documentary. This was such a wonderful surprise and means the world to our film's journey! The Jury was thoughtful and excellent. We're so proud to call IndieMeme our home in Texas!

    April 2026
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  • Tejal Desai

    I love this festival. Great for Asian American filmmakers!

    April 2025
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  • Sushanth Nallapareddy

    Great film, Great audience and and Great festival. Love the whole team. Like Anurag Kashyap said - 'Thanks for Existing'

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Sushanth! Appreciate your review! Wishing you and "Fragments of Us" all the best for your festival run!

  • Sasan Golfar

    It's an honor for me and the "Remember Its Flight" to take part in your beautiful festival and also a very good experience. Thank you Indie Meme.

    April 2024
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