The 32nd annual Austin Film Festival (AFF) is gearing up for an exciting return from October 23 to 30, 2025, promising a vibrant environment for cinema and storytelling enthusiasts.
Known for being a premier platform that champions the craft of writing for film, television, and new media, this year’s festival will feature an impressive lineup of 183 films from 32 countries.
In addition to the cinematic showcases, a robust Writers Conference will take place, filled with panels and discussions led by industry-leading experts and writers.
Badges for the festival are currently available for purchase, while individual tickets will be announced soon.
The festival will open with the highly anticipated film Christy, directed by David Michôd and starring Sydney Sweeney, who portrays the legendary boxer Christy Martin.
Presented as a true story, Christy chronicles Martin’s ascent in the boxing world and explores the personal challenges she faced outside the ring.
Both Michôd and Christy Martin are slated to make appearances alongside co-writer Mirrah Foulkes during the opening event.
The Centerpiece Film, Eternity, features a talented cast with Elizabeth Olsen and Miles Teller, and delves into themes of love, loss, and difficult choices faced in the afterlife.
Olsen is expected to be present at the screening, adding to the allure of the film.
AFF 2025 promises an engaging mix of world and Texas premieres, highlighting a diverse assortment of films.
World premieres include the dark comedy Forelock, featuring David Krumholtz, the survival drama Not Without Hope directed by Joe Carnahan, and the intimate documentary The Boy from St. Croix, which examines the life of NBA legend Tim Duncan.
The festival will also host several Texas premieres, showcasing major works such as A Private Life starring Jodie Foster, Dead Man’s Wire featuring Bill Skarsgård, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino, and Is This Thing On?, directed by Bradley Cooper with a cast that includes Will Arnett and Laura Dern.
Additionally, film lovers will be excited to see La Grazia from acclaimed director Paolo Sorrentino and Rental Family starring Brendan Fraser.
Retrospective screenings will further enrich the festival’s offerings, featuring a 4K restoration of A Knight’s Tale with director Brian Helgeland in attendance, along with a special showing of Se7en presented by writer Andrew Kevin Walker.
An impressive lineup of filmmakers, writers, and actors are set to attend the festival, including Rian Johnson, the recipient of this year’s Bill Wittliff Award, David Michôd, Christy Martin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Joe Carnahan, among others.
The festival organizers have hinted that more guests will be revealed in the weeks leading up to the event.
Running concurrently from October 23 to 26, the Writers Conference will provide a gathering space for both aspiring and seasoned storytellers.
Panels will feature discussions from notable industry voices covering various topics including The Naked Gun with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, The Art of Time Travel with Rian Johnson and Christopher McQuarrie, and Live From New York: It’s Saturday Night Live with former head writer Tim Herlihy.
Other notable panels will include On Writing A Great First Act with Academy Award winner Michael Arndt and On Sorry, Baby: A Conversation with Eva Victor.
Festival-goers are encouraged to check the festival’s website for the full conference schedule.
As a celebration of storytelling, the Austin Film Festival 2025 continues to attract cinephiles and creative minds alike.
With its diverse programming, star-studded premieres, and engaging discussions, the festival is set to bring a week of discovery, inspiration, and unforgettable moments to the heart of Austin.
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