Austin Spotlight Film Festival | Austin TX

Austin Spotlight 2023: Shining Bright on the Best Indie Films & Screenplays

Austin, Texas – In a dazzling display of creativity and talent, the 7th annual Austin Spotlight Film Festival (ASFF) took center stage and left a lasting impression on attendees. This year's festival defied all expectations, selling out faster than ever and drawing a dynamic crowd of over 250 enthusiastic film aficionados throughout the day.

From the outset, the response to the festival's program was nothing short of electric. ASFF earned accolades not only for the extraordinary talent on display but also for the sheer diversity of its selections. Festival-goers and judges alike couldn't help but be captivated by the exceptional lineup.

As the week unfolded, ASFF unveiled a treasure trove of captivating snapshots from various festival highlights, offering attendees and fans a chance to relive the magic. Here's a glimpse of what made ASFF 2023 truly remarkable:

A Charitable Triumph: The festival raised over $2,000 for the Autism Society of Texas, a testament to the outstanding support and promotion it received. Attendees not only enjoyed a sell-out event to an exceptional audience but also made a significant contribution to a remarkable cause.

Global Impact: The Best International Screenplay award went to "Zariya," a powerful narrative that transported viewers to 13th-century Turkey. This tale of transformation and evolution left a lasting impression.

Short and Hilarious: The Best Short Screenplay accolade was claimed by "Wolfe Pack," a wickedly funny cult classic in the making, written by the talented Lindsay Heiman.

Feature Excellence: "Tati (Aunt)," crafted by Thalia Badio, emerged as the Best Feature Screenplay, captivating audiences with its compelling story.

Judges' Pick: "Deep Down," directed by Skyler Schanen & Zack Scott, dazzled as the Judges-rated Best Film, leaving audiences enthralled.

Audience Choices: The festival gave its attendees a voice, with "Ghosted" in Block A, "Mad Stork" in Block B, and a tie between "Pete & Re-Pete" and "In Observance of the Most Sacred of Promises" in Block C claiming Audience Choice awards.

A Remarkable Achievement

What sets ASFF apart is the sheer magnitude of talent it attracts. This year, ASFF faced fierce competition, reviewing an astonishing 1,200 submissions and selecting only about 13%. The talent on display was truly staggering, leaving festival-goers and participants in awe.

Looking Ahead

As the curtain falls on ASFF 2023, organizers are already gearing up for Austin Spotlight 2024. The festival eagerly anticipates welcoming back its remarkable alumni for another exceptional year.

Festival-goers are encouraged to explore the discount codes arranged with partner festivals:

- [LA Under the Stars] - 20% discount: Spotlight20LAUTS
- [Austin Under the Stars] - 20% discount: Spotlight20AUTS

Your Voice Matters

The festival has ignited creative souls and left participants eagerly anticipating their next artistic odyssey. ASFF expresses gratitude to all those who shared their work in the ASFF showcase and eagerly awaits the incredible projects that will emerge in the future.

2023 Awards

FILM SELECTIONS

Directors

Chloe Linscomb

David Shen Miller

Joël Gibbs

Bon Blossman

Emeril Lester

Emil Lozada

Quenne Eric Nonde

Chantelle James

Clytze Sun

Zack Scott, Skylar Schanen

Jonathan Jagdeo

Sam Milman, Peter Vass

Taylor Zachary Butler

Paulina Manseau

Tom Procida

Youngjae Lee

Lucy Owens

Alejandro Emanuel Hendricks

Laura Sweeney

Amadeus Gonzalez

Isaac Rodriguez

Ela Yürekli-Gorkay

Billy Cano

Samuel Aaron Bennett

Daniel E. Catton

Gabriel Tick

Damian Wisniewski, Betty Wisniewska

Daniel Gold

Jeff Hilliard, Joey Danger

Alina Pasok, Ilia Prusikin

Karla Odette Armendariz, Ben Root

Sean Breitkreutz

Esther Shpigelman

Michael Payton

Shihan Fé

Jenet Kiefer

Jackie Pardue Scripps

David Over

James Sunshine

Mia King

Andrew Kallimani, Olivia Benedict

Lynn Forney, Corey Trahan

Matthew Fitch

Olivia Benedict, Griff Orme

Samantha Bennett

Tim Sanderson

Saskia Lynge, Danny Zanelotti

Tiana Stuart

Fumiya Hayakawa

Lauren Musgrove

Raven Carter

Edwin Raul Oliva

Lorena Chiles

Ryan Ward

Brandon Herrera

Liberty Joy

Kristina Palukaititie

Destin Gerek

Megan Lynn Blanchard

Spencer Flynn

Edwin Raul Oliva

Oliver Kane

Michael Skanes

Raine Mara Hopper

Ven Scott

Joseph Santa Cruz

Luke Van Garza, Elizabeth Lloyd

Martha Van Garza

Drew Schwemer

Renetta G. Amador

Project Title

Nature's Bounty

The Cocoon

The Moon Followed Me To Falmouth

Switch

The Signs

Grey Horse

Roaring Whispers

A Thousand Times A Day

Back To Us

Deep Down

Free of You

Ghosted

KID

Mors Bonum

My Dear Aunt Sally

Rage

The Magician

The Outskirts of Time

Tina

Vivian

The Astral Woods Official Trailer

The Birthday Trailer

Baker Hotel

Caroline Rose - The Art of Forgetting

Closer

Elvis Presley - Unchained Melody

Forgotten

In The Background

Jeff Hilliard - Consensual

LITTLE BIG - GENERATION CANCELLATION

Make It Work

mavi / willpower

Meir Levine - Wherever I Run

Mother of Exiles

Now I Know

Ruthie Craft - Nineteen

When I Take My Eyelashes Off (You Forget That I'm Pretty)

Bran-Don of the Dead

Curiosity

Find That Fido

Hot Mess!

Hot Sauce

Mad Stork

Midway

Muffy & Bette

Superfan

The Fourth Assassin

Twinsies

Together, Alone

Blossoming

White Washed

Ghost on the Dance Floor

All My Friends Are Dead

Darkroom

The Student Film

Dinner with Demons

First Love

Seductive Devotion

Burn Barbie Burn

Popped Culture

A Haunting Across The Galaxy

V838

Mamu

Bleeder

Made of These

Night Visit

Spectral Wind

Pete & Re-Pete

In Observance of the Most Sacred of Promises

Gummies

Genre

Animation Short

Smartphone Short

Documentary Short

Narrative Short

Trailer

Music Video

Comedy Short

Student Short

Experimental Short

Sci-fi Short

Horror Short

SCREENPLAY SELECTIONS

Project Title

Bob's Best Friends

Down At The Val

Mountain Boomers

Pal's Quest for the Silly Woman

Recognition

The Gotaways

Vivian's TV Dinner

Wildwood

As Scared As You

BLOOD OF ANGELS

BOX OF GLASS

David

DEMONCODE

Heuelensmond (Heulen's Moon)

HOSPICE

Milton and Myrna

Morituriosis

Social Suicide

SVEN

The Four Of Us Are Dying

The Guy

Vampire Math

The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music

Big Whiskey

CARRIE CATCH THE MOON

Curbside Service

Daywake

Donavan Emery, The Android & Himself

Fade In, Fade Out

Float Back to Me

For Everyone, Everything

Little Africa - A Tale of Tulsa's Black Wall Street

No Address

Opus

Screenplay FEATHER & BONE

Something Beautiful

Tati (Aunt)

Ten Miracles

The Circuit Breaker

The Family Secret

THS Theatre Club

Two Kgs of Marmalade

Winter White Wedding

Zariya

Behind Closed Doors

Bitters

Even Sadder This Time

Fallacy

Louie Luis

Pop!

Reseda

That's So Gay

The Unicorn

Sight Specific

"Enter the Room" Screenplay

Answering The Call

Bitters

Deep Cover

Destiny By Fortune

Inner Child

Marshall and MacArthur

Rue du Louvre

South for Winter

The Etruscan

The Gambler Script

They're HERE

Thicker Than Water

Too Many Faces

When it Pours

Yolk

A Lost Lady - Pilot: "A Spark"

Bumblefuck

THE ORPHANS

Basil King

Off The Path

Wolfe Pack

Writers

Bill Redding

Neil Goodchild

Trevor J Miller

Jeffrey Fong

Suzanne McDaniel VanDeMark

Christan Van Slyke

Karena T. Stoner

Damon Fabbo

Jesse Dorian

Kevin J. Howard

Samantha Jean Talley

Corey Jason Trahan

J.K. Zepeda

Paul Gonzales, Todd Biggerstaff

Rick Brooks

Jesse Dorian

Kevin Lopez

Jesse Dorian

John Goode

ron stillman

Cynthia Freeman Gibbs

Lisa VanNatta

Michael Dardis Walsh

Christan Van Slyke

Hannah Scofield

Jesse Dorian

Rob Levinson

Darien Pitts

Patrick Ross

Curtis R Adair

Julia Verdin, James Papa

Dylan C. Brown

Robert Browne

J.K. Zepeda

Thalia Badio

Harry Tyler Kleinman

David Ethan Sanders

Alix Lindbergh

Shannon Yocum

Megan Mazer

Amanda Pfeiffer, Sara Henderson

JASHANPREET KAUR GILL

George Casey Brown

Joe Bigler

Mia King

Atlas Woods-Smith

Eric Gonzales

Brian Gregory

Justin Sirkin

Dr. Tamecca Rogers

Spencer Clinton Bolanos (Kirby Bendito)

Peter Hardy

Harry Waldman

Chase Myers

Joe Bigler

Trevor J Miller

Lisa Beth VanNatta

Victoria Tamez

Robert F. Redmond, Jr.

Jacob Moniz

Jill Ferrari

E.C. Belli

JOHN J. LYNCH

Debora Perez

Leah A Pollack

Jeffrey Rembert, Chet Hall, Natasha Samreny, Tony Taylor

Erin Elizabeth Rider

Natalie Houchins

Holly Swenson

Lindsay Heiman

Johnny Galvan

Taylor Fredricks, Ryan Castro, Isaac Scego, Chico Mejia

Richard Redlo

Lindsay Heiman

Genre

Feature Screenplay: Comedy

Feature Screenplay: Horror

Feature Screenplay: Narrative

Feature Screenplay: Horror

Feature Screenplay: Narrative

Short Screenplay: Comedy

Short Screenplay: Horror

Short Screenplay: Narrative

TV Pilot (Long Form)

TV Pilot (Short Form)

Selections

Austin Spotlight 2023: Shining Bright on the Best Indie Films & Screenplays

FILM SELECTIONS

SCREENPLAY SELECTIONS

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