Austin Film Society

Last week, we gathered at AFS Cinema to celebrate the newest graduates of AFS Creative Careers at our annual Opening Credits Capstone Celebration. With over 120 job placements since the program started in 2021, the program boasts a strong success rate of kickstarting people on their professional journeys. Congratulations to all the graduates and to all the friends and families in attendance. And a special thank you to keynote speaker, AFS-supported filmmaker Jessica Wolfson. To learn more about applying to AFS Creative Careers or hiring Creative Careers-certified participants, visit https://lnkd.in/gFPuqHNm

On Wednesday, AFS unveiled its 2024 Creative Workforce Report at City Hall with speakers including Mayor Kirk Watson, film producer Elizabeth Avellan, Councilperson Natasha Harper-Madison (District 1), Councilperson Jose "Chito" Vela III (District 4), Councilperson Zohaib "Zo" Qadri, MPA, MA (District 9), and members of AFS Leadership. AFS’s 2024 Creative Workforce Report was developed to provide data and insights into the local creative industry through the lens of the programs administered by the Austin Film Society. Due to limited resources, regional data collection about the workforce can be underdeveloped, and insights into the creative workforce are not readily available in Central Texas. Therefore, AFS’s goal was to take a leadership role in offering this type of data to the public through its new report, which includes qualitative and quantitative data to highlight the impact of AFS programs. Read more about the City Hall event here: https://lnkd.in/gcsM67uE

AFS is thrilled to announce that Maury Sullivan will be joining our executive staff as Head of Marketing and Engagement. Maury will join a brilliant team that works daily to connect the community to storytelling opportunities, skills, and the power of film and creative media to change lives. With her background in the arts, media, and community building, Maury is the perfect leader to help AFS advance connections among the filmmakers, audience members, and supporters that form our incredible creative media community. We can’t wait to welcome her on October 29th!

Dedicated production assistant training can be hard to come by in Central Texas, but AFS and Austin Public are looking to change that with our AFS Creative Careers PA Training Workshop at Austin Studios. Currently offered through the AFS Creative Careers program, participants in this course are given hands-on training and instruction in the pivotal, entry-level role of being a production assistant on a film set. Learn more about Creative Careers (including how to hire our recent graduates) at: https://lnkd.in/ehZD_XHY Thanks to our training partner Miscellaneous Rentals.

Austin Film Society welcomes Los Angeles’ famed Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) for its second annual Austin series, presenting a selection of ten festival favorites at AFS Cinema. Read more below from CultureMap Austin.

AFS Cinema was voted as the Best Movie Theater in Austin by The Austin Chronicle readers! It’s an honor to see AFS Cinema and our CEO Rebecca Campbell recognized by the community in such a meaningful way. Thank you to all the members and film supporters who champion AFS in the community — we wouldn’t be here without you. See you at the movies!

Each March, AFS hosts Mission Control at Austin Public (in partnership with I Live Here I Give Here) where we select local nonprofits to use the space as their headquarters and broadcast live during Amplify Austin’s 24 hours of giving. Watch our recap of this year’s event featuring these local nonprofits: Austin Bat Refuge, Austin Free-Net, Rancho Alegre, Wayside Schools Foundation, Paws in Prison Texas, Pawsitively Reunited, AUSTIN GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE, Torch Literary Arts, AVAFEST VETERANS, Impact Arts, Inc.

What a night for Texas Film! Last Thursday, AFS hosted "A Toast to Texas Film," honoring Texas Film Hall of Fame inductee Glen Powell. Thanks to our host Troublemaker Studios, to our amazing sponsors, and to all those who gave in support of AFS's vision for supporting the Texas film community. 📸: Heather Leah Kennedy Special thanks to the night's sponsors: Wells Fargo Beacon Pointe Advisors Charles Schwab Austin Film Commission Texas Monthly Arts+Labor William Chris Vineyards Dulce Vida Tequila Meanwhile Brewing Company Still Austin Whiskey Co. Flavor Co. Catering + Events

The 2024 AFS Creative Careers Continuing Education Pathway kicked off last week at Austin Public. Help AFS welcome the Session 1 participants! This program pathway offers production and professional development courses beyond equipment certification to Austin professionals (18 or older) looking to expand their skills towards career advancement. Session 2 begins July 9. Hit the link below to apply and learn more about AFS Creative Careers. https://lnkd.in/ehZD_XHY