The Austin Film Festival (AFF) returns for its 32nd annual festival, taking place from October 23 to 30, and offering high-profile world premieres, Texas premieres, and the renowned Writers Conference, held from October 23 to 26. The festival celebrates the art of storytelling on both the screen and the page.

The writing and filmmaking partners Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar will receive the 2025 Writer’s Writer Award, presented alongside the Texas premiere of their latest film, Train Dreams. The film is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 4:30 pm to 6:37 pm at the historic Paramount Theatre on South Congress in downtown Austin.

Based on Denis Johnson’s beloved novella, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly changing America of the early 20th Century. In Attendance: writer Greg Kwedar. Writers: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Director: Clint Bentley, and cast: Joel Edgerton, Clifton Collins Jr., Felicity Jones, among others.

Below is a list of some of the World Premieres and Texas Premieres on the schedule:

You’re Dating a Narcissist – a romantic comedy starring Marisa Tomei, written/directed by AFF alum Ann Marie Allison.

Signing Tony Raymond – a sports comedy drama starring Mira Sorvino, Rob Morgan, and NFL star Marshawn Lynch, written and directed by Glen Owen.

The Boy From St. Croix – a documentary portrait of NBA legend Tim Duncan, directed by his brother Scott Duncan.

Rhythm Is A Dancer – a coming of age comedy drama written, directed, and starring Lauren Caster, with Amy Aquino and Tate Donovan.

Miles Away – a modern comedy drama feature from Jackie Quinones, co-starring Luis Guzmán.

Crystal Cross – a darkly comedic road trip feature starring Rubyrose Hill, Lukas Haas, and Luke Baines.

Spite – an atmospheric horror feature starring Masha Cima, written and directed by Carolynn Cecilia.

Texas Premieres

Eternity (A24) – Directed by David Freyne, co-written with Pat Cunnane, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, Callum Turner, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios) – From writer-director Nia DaCosta, starring Tessa Thompson, Imogen Poots, Nina Hoss, Nicholas Pinnock

Train Dreams (Netflix) – Adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella directed by Clint Bentley, co-written by Bentley and Greg Kwedar, starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix) – Written/directed by Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig with Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, and more.

AFF has an annual film competition designed to identify, empower, and celebrate top emerging filmmakers. Awards are presented across categories, including Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Dark Matters, Comedy Vanguard, and Texas Independent Feature.

The whole film and conference schedule is available online at their website, and to review the complete options on how to attend (badges/film passes), visit https://austinfilmfestival.com/product-category/festival-and-conference/badges-and-film-passes/

Source: Austin Film Festival, IMDb