Film Society of Austin Inc
Film Society of Austin Inc is an Austin, Texas-based public charity that supports filmmakers and brings the community together around film and creative media. Its activities include filmmaker grants and professional development, film exhibition, and operating creative-media facilities.
Film Society of Austin Inc at a glance
In short: Film Society of Austin Inc gave $272K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $272,399
- +17.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,700
- -11.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,400
- Total assets
- $15,379,177
- -8.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Film Society of Austin Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1901 East 51St Street, Austin, TX 78723
Phone: (512) 322-0145
Website: https://austinfilm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Film Society of Austin Inc
AFS Grants
Film Society of Austin Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
AFS Short Films Grant
Film Society of Austin Inc
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
AFS Travel Grant
Film Society of Austin Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Film Society of Austin Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Sugarloaf Pictures LLC (Andrew Richey) ($71K). Together the top 10 received $254K.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 44 grants of 50 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website describes the AFS Grant as supporting Texas-based filmmakers. In the 2025 filing, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas, 8% to North Carolina, and 4% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Film Society of Austin Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $22K (2022) to $427K (2023). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $272K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sugarloaf Pictures LLC (Andrew Richey) Austin, TX | Sponsored Project | $70,716 |
| TTJ LLC (Margaret Brown) Austin, TX | Sponsored Project | $48,000 |
| Sunspots Production (Bryan Poyser) Austin, TX | Sponsored Project | $36,432 |
| Beef and Pie LLC Austin, TX | Sponsored Project | $24,826 |
| The Glades Comm Media (Patrick Bresnan) Asheville, NC | Sponsored Project | $23,125 |
| PJ Raval LLC Austin, TX | AFS Grant | $10,500 |
| Iliana Sosa LLC El Paso, TX | AFS Grant | $10,300 |
| The Direct Line LLC Austin, TX | AFS Grant | $10,000 |
| All Tea No Shade Productions LLC Los Angeles, CA | AFS Grant | $10,000 |
| The Daedalum Company USA LLC Dallas, TX | AFS Grant | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,379,177 | $7,383,401 | $8,486,130 | $272,399 | 12 | $174,292 |
| 2024 | $16,871,220 | $8,810,132 | $7,891,663 | $231,809 | 9 | $78,341 |
| 2023 | $15,704,497 | $7,918,111 | $7,607,667 | $427,249 | 10 | $15,687 |
| 2022 | $13,064,742 | $7,593,358 | $6,419,903 | $21,676 | 2 | $10,561 |
| 2021 | $10,649,086 | $5,415,056 | $4,494,888 | $212,434 | 17 | $8,224 |
| 2020 | $9,640,077 | $4,847,421 | $4,927,913 | $226,942 | 16 | $9,148 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Austin Film Society’s website says it creates opportunities for filmmakers, helps develop Austin and Texas as a creative hub, and brings the community together around film. Its programs include grants and support services for filmmakers, educational and professional-development activities, film exhibition, and operation of Austin Studios and Austin Public.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes a film-exhibition program featuring contemporary global cinema, classic films, independent U.S. and international works, repertory series, documentaries, and experimental films. The filing also describes professional development for filmmakers, including fiscal sponsorship, workshops, networking events, works-in-progress screenings, and cash and in-kind support through its annual grant program. It describes the Texas Film Awards as honoring people who have contributed to film culture and the industry.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 12 grants totaling $272,399. Grant amounts ranged from $8,500 to $70,716, with a median of $10,400. The largest grants included $70,716 to Sugarloaf Pictures LLC, $48,000 to TTJ LLC, $36,432 to Sunspots Production, $24,826 to Beef and Pie LLC, and $23,125 to The Glades Comm Media. The filing labels the first five as “Sponsored Project” grants. Other reported grants included awards labeled “AFS Grant,” ranging from $8,500 to $10,500.
The website describes the AFS Grant as annual support for Texas-based filmmakers and says it has supported development, production, and post-production. The filmmaker FAQ describes approximately $100,000 in cash and $40,000 in in-kind goods and services for independent films. A separate Travel Grant provides a flat $500 toward travel expenses for Texas filmmakers whose films are accepted into competitive festivals or film-development programs.
As of October 2, 2026, the website says the 2026 short-film grant cycle is closed and is expected to reopen in summer 2027. The feature-film grant and Harrison McClure Endowed Film Fund are also closed and expected to reopen in spring 2027. The Travel Grant is described as accepting applications year-round. For the short-film grant, applicants must be current Texas residents who spend more than 75% of the year in the state, and must be the project’s director or co-director. Eligible short films must be under 40 minutes and in pre-production, production, or post-production; the short-film program does not fund development or distribution expenses. The website provides separate eligibility requirements for the feature-film grant and student fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa Hickey as President, Kiki Lambden-Stout as Vice President, Lemel Humes as Secretary, and Adam Chibib as Treasurer. Richard Linklater is listed as Founder and Artistic Director. Other listed board members are Bart Knaggs, Beverly Dale, Celeste Quesada, Chale Nafus, and Charles Ramrez Berg.
Film Society of Austin Inc is led by Lisa Hickey, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 32 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lisa Hickey
President
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Linklater
Founder & Artistic Director
Board → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Founder & Artistic Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Campbell
Ex-Officio
CEO → Ex-Officio, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $189K (2025)
Holly Herrick
Head of Film & Creative Media
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024) → $114K (2025)
Jesse Greendyk
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $111K (2025)
Martin Jones
Head of Austin Studios
Head of Studios → Head of Austin Studios, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024) → $110K (2025)
Sarah Ann Mockbee
Chief Operating Officer
COO → Chief Operating Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024) → $112K (2025)
Adam Chibib
Treasurer
Treasurer → Board Treasurer, 2023
Board Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric DeJernett
Board Member
Board President → President, 2022
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
LinaPlath
Board Member
Director → Board, 2021
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Riki Rushing
Board Member
Director → Board, 2021
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
DanAllen
Board Member
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Page
Board Member
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Irene Shoghi
Board Member
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Pierson
Board Member
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lemel Humes
Secretary
Board Secretary → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Blizzard
Board Member
Board Member → Board Memberr, 2023
Board Memberr → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Rodriguez
Board Member
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ya'ke Smith
Board Member
Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bart Knaggs
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Ramrez Berg
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Rios
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katy Drake Bettner
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chale Nafus
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Evan Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Canally
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kiki Lambden-Stout
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Jackson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celeste Quesada
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Blackwell
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noah Hawley
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beverly Dale
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Charles Ramirez-Berg (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jane Schweppe (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kat Candler (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mehcad Brooks (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Artemio San Martin (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Shanaz Hemmati (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kiki Lambden Stout (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Chris Adams (2020–2021) — Board
- Former: Tracy LaQuey Parker (2020–2021) — Board
- Former: Cecilia Conti (2021) — Board
- Former: Chris Rios (2021) — Board
- Former: John Robison (2020) — Director
- Former: Kip McClanahan (2020) — Director
- Former: Mark Mckinnon (2020) — Director
- Former: Merrill Davis (2020) — Director
- Former: Nicolas Gonda (2020) — Director
- Former: Phillip Hardage (2020) — Director
- Former: Suzanne Weinert (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $189K, to Rebecca Campbell (Ex-Officio). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Film Society of Austin Inc
How much does Film Society of Austin Inc give each year?
Film Society of Austin Inc gave $272K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $232K across 9 grants.
What is Film Society of Austin Inc's typical grant size?
Film Society of Austin Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,400, and its average grant was $22,700, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Film Society of Austin Inc give grants?
Film Society of Austin Inc gives mostly in Texas: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (7 grants).
Does Film Society of Austin Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Film Society of Austin Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "AFS Grant" (7 grants) and "Sponsored Project" (5 grants).
Who are Film Society of Austin Inc's largest grantees?
Film Society of Austin Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Sugarloaf Pictures LLC (Andrew Richey) ($70,716), TTJ LLC (Margaret Brown) ($48,000) and Sunspots Production (Bryan Poyser) ($36,432), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Film Society of Austin Inc?
Film Society of Austin Inc reported $15.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.4M.
What does Film Society of Austin Inc fund?
The Austin Film Society’s website says it creates opportunities for filmmakers, helps develop Austin and Texas as a creative hub, and brings the community together around film. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Film Society of Austin Inc?
Film Society of Austin Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check austinfilm.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Film Society of Austin Inc's EIN?
Film Society of Austin Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2433823. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 3, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Film Society of Austin Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?