Why You Should Tune In to the 2020 Virtual Austin Film Festival from your Living Room

When Austin Film Festival started planning their 2020 Fest & Writers Conference, intending this year to be bigger and better than ever, they had no idea that meant making their 27th Annual Fest completely virtual. But, as the first time AFF has ever focused exclusively on digital platforms, they’re taking this opportunity by the horns.

The Festival is still packed with 5 days of virtual panels and 8 days of virtual film screenings, October 22 through 29, and with badge options for the casual viewer and the dedicated cinephile, alike, it’s now more accessible than ever.

“We’re excited and confident that this year’s Festival — while it might have a different look — will still be all the things that our audience has grown to love about AFF,” says Kelly Lafargue, Marketing Director for the Fest.

The decision to go all virtual certainly wasn’t easy, but AFF thinks you’ll really like how they’ve brought all the usual suspects from the Festival (like panels, films, roundtables, networking opportunities, and pitch competitions) into the virtual realm, with two ways for you to enjoy this year:

VIRTUAL BADGE – This one gets you access to the full Film Festival and Writers Conference.

VIRTUAL FILM PASS – Or, skip the panels and workshops from the Conference side, and just go the film route.

How to Best the Fest

With a virtual festival, it can be hard to know where to jump in! Austin Film Fest has put together this handy guide to answer all your questions so that you can truly best this fest.

Get familiar with the platforms involved, how your Virtual Badge or Virtual Film Pass works (lookout students, there’s a Badge for you, too!), and make sure you’re prepared to watch in the way that fits you best.

Fest Schedule Highlights

With so much to absorb, dive right in to AFF’s full film schedule and start planning your week for ultimate enjoyment. Among the many premieres, watch out for:

MARQUEE FEATURES
Dave Not Coming Back, by director Jonah Malak
Golden Arm, written by Ann Marie Allison, Jenna Milly, and directed by Maureen Bharoocha

WRITERS CONFERENCE PANELS
Featuring conversations with Gina Prince Bythewood (The Old Guard, Love & Basketball), plus Alec Berg and Bill Hader (Barry) and so many others.

INTERNATIONAL FILMS
The world, North American, and US Premieres of films from Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Cameroon, Iran, France, and Poland.

And of course, some sizable Texas talent!

Dig in to that film schedule and decide what Badge is right for you. And, just for reading, Austin Film Festival would like to save you $15 off a Virtual Badge with the code LC15 — enjoy this 2020 virtual AFF experience unlike any other!