2024 Feature Grant Recipients Announced by Austin Film Society
The Texas filmmaking community is buzzing with excitement as the Austin Film Society (AFS) recently announced the recipients of the 2024 AFS Grants for Feature Films. This year, 18 feature-length projects from talented Texas filmmakers have received financial and in-kind support totaling $122,000. The AFS Grants program has been a pillar of support for filmmakers since its inception in 1996, formerly known as the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund. Over the years, the program has distributed over $2.7 million to 533 filmmakers, making a significant impact on the industry as a whole. Past recipients of the grant include renowned filmmakers such as David Lowery, Kat Candler, Channing Godfrey Peoples, Annie Silverstein, and Keith Maitland, showcasing the program’s commitment to nurturing both established and emerging talent in the Texas filmmaking community.
Recognizable Names Among the Recipients
Among this year’s grant recipients are some of the most recognizable names from Austin’s indie filmmaking scene. Filmmakers like Bryan Poyser, known for films like “Lovers of Hate” and “Love & Air Sex,” have been awarded grants for their upcoming projects. Poyser recently completed a series of work-in-progress screenings for his first feature in 11 years, the academic comedy “Leads,” which not only received a grant but also earned the prestigious Stuck On On DCP award, covering the cost of DCP conversion for the final film. The program’s support extends not only to filmmakers with projects currently in production but also to those in the development stage, highlighting the diverse range of voices being championed by the AFS Grants program.
Diverse Stories and Filmmakers
The AFS Grants program is a testament to the rich tapestry of stories and talent present in the Texas filmmaking community. This year’s recipients hail from cities across the state, including Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, and Conroe, showcasing the program’s commitment to supporting filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and regions. The projects supported by the grant cover a wide range of themes and genres, from documentaries exploring historical communities like “Austin Black Freedom Communities” to narrative features like “Cohetes,” which follows a rookie pyrotechnician on a daring Fourth of July mission along the Texas Coast. The program’s inclusivity and support for filmmakers at all stages of their creative journey underscore its role as a vital resource for the Texas film industry.
The Austin Film Society’s CEO, Rebecca Campbell, emphasized the importance of the AFS Grant in fostering emerging talent and amplifying diverse voices within the regional film community. Campbell stated, “The AFS Grant is one of the few funding opportunities available to Texas artists working in any style or genre of film. By supporting emerging talent at a crucial stage in their creative journey, we aim to amplify important voices in our flourishing regional film community.” The AFS Grant serves as a cornerstone of the society’s mission, highlighting the essential role that artists play in shaping culture and the significance of community support in facilitating their creative endeavors.
The 2024 AFS Grant recipients represent a diverse array of projects in various stages of production and development. From documentaries shedding light on important social issues to narrative features exploring personal journeys and cultural heritage, the grant recipients showcase the breadth of storytelling talent thriving in Texas. Projects like “Immortal,” which follows a stem cell researcher accused of a murder-suicide, and “Not Fade Away,” an archive project chronicling San Antonio’s Mexican-American West Side, offer unique perspectives on complex themes and historical narratives. The AFS Grants program’s commitment to supporting filmmakers with distinct voices and visions underscores its role as a vital catalyst for creativity and innovation in the Texas film industry.
The AFS Grants program has not only nurtured established filmmakers but also provided a platform for emerging talents to showcase their work. Newcomers like Justin Jay Jones and William F. Reed have been recognized for their documentaries exploring themes of personal struggle and creative ambition. Jones’ project, “On Firm Ground,” follows individuals battling Parkinson’s disease on a journey of hope and resilience, while Reed’s documentary, “Teenage Supernovas,” offers a poignant exploration of friendship and aspiration through the eyes of two young filmmakers. The program’s support for emerging voices like Jones and Reed highlights its commitment to fostering a new generation of storytellers and expanding the horizons of Texas cinema.
In addition to supporting filmmakers from Austin, the AFS Grants program reaches across the state to empower storytellers from diverse communities. Projects like “El Tonto Por Cristo” from Dallas filmmaker Josh David Jordan and “Yren” from Austin-based Tania Cattebeke Laconich highlight the program’s commitment to celebrating regional talent and diverse perspectives. From narrative features exploring themes of faith and identity to documentaries shedding light on social issues and cultural heritage, the AFS Grants program serves as a platform for filmmakers to share their stories with a global audience. The geographical diversity of this year’s grant recipients reflects the program’s inclusive approach to supporting filmmakers from all corners of the Lone Star State.
The 2024 AFS Grant recipients represent a dynamic mix of established and emerging talents, each bringing a unique voice and vision to the Texas filmmaking landscape. From seasoned filmmakers like Bryan Poyser and Yen Tan to newcomers like Justin Jay Jones and William F. Reed, the grant recipients showcase the diversity and innovation that define the Texas film industry. The AFS Grants program’s ongoing commitment to supporting filmmakers at every stage of their creative journey underscores its role as a vital resource for nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and amplifying diverse voices within the regional film community. As the recipients embark on their respective projects, the AFS Grants program stands as a beacon of support and inspiration for filmmakers across Texas and beyond.
