Austin Film Festival Will Expand Its 2026 Slate
The festival runs from October 28 to November 5, 2026, with new additions.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Science Fiction
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The Austin Film Festival has unveiled additional film screenings and panels ahead of its start on October 28, 2026. This year's lineup features a mix of world premieres and notable features to anchor the multi-day event.
Why it matters
The festival brings together filmmakers and fans for a week of programming that shapes the local cultural calendar. Attendees can now plan their schedules around the recently confirmed opening night and Centerpiece titles.
The festival's expanded program includes new titles like the world premiere of Remote and the feature film Elsinore. These additions complement a schedule featuring recurring industry veterans, including figures with three decades of experience.
The players
Austin Film Festival
An annual event in Austin that celebrates film and screenwriting.
Steven DeGennaro
The director of the world premiere film Remote.
Mike Leigh
A director whose final feature film Tender Loving Care is included in the lineup.
Ian Charleson
An actor whose 1990 Hamlet performance is depicted in the film Elsinore.
Adrianne Palicki
An actress who stars in the world premiere film Remote.
The details
The festival kicks off with The Debut as its opening night selection and features Behemoth! as the 2026 Centerpiece. In addition to screenings, the Writers Conference will host sessions for attendees looking to dive deeper into the craft of screenwriting. All events are hosted in Austin, with the conference portion of the festival running for four days.
Timeline
The Austin Film Festival begins on October 28, 2026.
The Writers Conference sessions run from October 29 to November 1, 2026.
The festival concludes on November 5, 2026.
The Texas Context
This expansion follows the programming pattern established by the annual Austin Film Festival. The event continues to serve as a cornerstone for local film culture by balancing world premieres with historical cinematic retrospectives.
Attendees should check the updated schedule to finalize plans for the events starting October 28. Festival goers can now secure their access to the newly announced screenings and conference sessions.
The takeaway
Keep an eye on the official festival schedule as the start date approaches to ensure you do not miss newly added sessions. Check the website regularly for potential updates to the panelist lineup or venue information.
Further reading
You can find more details on upcoming screenings and panels on our Science Fiction page.
More information
For more information on the full lineup and to book your entry, visit the festival passes and schedule information.
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Do you prioritize attending local film festivals to support the creative arts in your area?
