Austin Spotlight Film Festival

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Austin Spotlight Film Festival

Austin Spotlight is an international film festival held in Austin Texas. We accept all short films,

Austin Spotlight is an international film festival held in Austin TX. We accept all short films, music videos, docs, & even kickstarters.

06/12/2026

🏆 AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
🎬 Be Like Betty — Directed by Traci Symone Dargan

Stylish, sharp, and thought-provoking, Be Like Betty blends vintage flair with modern commentary on womanhood, identity, and self-worth. Audiences connected deeply with its wit, creativity, and heart — earning it the Audience Choice Award for its unforgettable voice and bold perspective.

06/05/2026

🏆 BEST TWIST SHORT SCREENPLAY — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
✍️ UnChristmas in Bethlehem — Written by Bret Thurman

Blending humor, history, and a clever reimagining of the Nativity story, UnChristmas in Bethlehem turns a familiar tale on its head with wit and heart. Bret Thurman’s inventive storytelling and sharp dialogue deliver a refreshing twist on biblical drama — earning the Best Twist Short Screenplay award.

05/29/2026

🏆 BEST MUSIC VIDEO — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
🎬 East Texas Son — Directed by Annie Gunn

Hauntingly poetic and visually mesmerizing, East Texas Son blends raw emotion with hypnotic black-and-white cinematography. Annie Gunn’s direction captures both the intimacy of Amy Annelle’s performance and the mystique of the Texas landscape — earning the Best Music Video award for its stunning artistry and storytelling depth.

05/22/2026

🏆 BEST TV PILOT (SHORT FORM) — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
📺 Tunguska — Written by Lorenzo Vega

Set against the eerie backdrop of 1968 America, Tunguska is a haunting descent into madness, memory, and military conspiracy. Lorenzo Vega crafts a gripping, cinematic pilot that merges psychological tension with supernatural dread — earning the Best TV Pilot (Short Form) award for its originality and atmosphere.

05/15/2026

🏆 BEST COMEDY SHORT — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
🎬 Basil King — Directed by Daryl Della

Dark, absurd, and hilariously self-aware, Basil King turns mob-movie tropes upside down with razor-sharp timing and gleeful chaos. Daryl Della delivers a slick, blood-soaked comedy that’s equal parts Scorsese and slapstick — earning the Best Comedy Short award for its killer mix of style and wit.

05/08/2026

🏆 BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
✍️ A House for the Flowers — Written by Juliana Philippi

A poetic and deeply human story of grief, rebirth, and connection to nature, A House for the Flowers intertwines personal loss with environmental reckoning. Juliana Philippi’s evocative writing and emotional honesty create a cinematic experience that blossoms long after reading — earning her the Best Feature Screenplay award.

05/01/2026

🏆 BEST NARRATIVE SHORT — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
🎬 Three Charlies — Directed by Maddox Finkel

A beautifully layered exploration of memory, grief, and perception, Three Charlies masterfully blurs the line between truth and illusion. With sharp direction and emotionally charged performances, Maddox Finkel delivers a story that lingers long after the credits roll — earning the Best Narrative Short award.

04/24/2026

🏆 BEST ARTHOUSE FILM — AUSTIN SPOTLIGHT FILM FESTIVAL 2025
🎬 The Girl With No Face — Directed by Mei Hua

A haunting meditation on identity and memory, The Girl With No Face unravels the psychological weight of trauma and self-discovery through dreamlike visuals and bold narrative choices. Poetic, unsettling, and beautifully crafted, Mei Hua’s vision earns the Best Arthouse Film award for its fearless storytelling and emotional depth.

04/23/2026

A look back at the people who make this festival what it is.
Filmmakers, storytellers, and a room that actually shows up.

Austin Spotlight Film Festival returns September 12.
Extended Deadline this Friday (4/24)

04/21/2026

10th Annual Austin Spotlight Film Festival is just around the corner.
Extended Deadline is this Friday (4/24).

Address

13729 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX
78750

Telephone

(309) 251-0749

Website

https://www.austinspotlightfilmfestival.com/

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