AFS Travel Grant

AFS Travel Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Austin Film Society
Amount: US $500 - US $1,000
Last Updated: October 19, 2025

Summary

The AFS Travel Grant, offered by the Austin Film Society, supports Texas-based filmmakers by covering travel costs to competitive film festivals worldwide. Since its inception, the grant has provided crucial financial assistance, enabling filmmakers to gain exposure and foster industry connections. Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,500 for travel, helping them navigate the financial challenges of festival participation. This initiative strengthens the local creative community and promotes diverse storytelling in the film industry.

Overview

NOTE: AFS Travel Grant applications are open year-round. Founded in 1985 by filmmaker Richard Linklater, the Austin Film Society (AFS) creates life-changing opportunities for filmmakers, catalyzes Austin and Texas as a creative hub, and brings the community together around great film. AFS supports filmmakers towards career leaps, encouraging exceptional artistic projects with grants and support services. AFS operates Austin Studios, a 20-acre production facility, to attract and grow the creative media ecosystem. Austin Public, a space for our city’s diverse mediamakers to train and collaborate, provides many points of access to filmmaking and film careers. The AFS Cinema is an ambitiously programmed repertory and first run arthouse with broad community engagement. By hosting premieres, local and international industry events, and the Texas Film Awards, AFS shines the national spotlight on Texas filmmakers while connecting Austin and Texas to the wider film community. AFS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As it's mission, the Austin Film Society empowers the community to make, watch, and love film and creative media. AFS Grant Since its inception in 1996, the AFS Grant has awarded more than $2.8 million in cash grants and more than $340,000 in-kind goods and services to 550+ Texas filmmakers to date, creating life-changing opportunities for artists, many from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the film industry and working outside large industry centers. In addition to grants for development, production, and post-production, we provide cash stipends to Texas filmmakers traveling to prestigious film festivals through its AFS Travel Grant program. AFS Travel Grant AFS Travel Grant, one of the AFS Grants, is awarded to Texas-based filmmakers to assist with the costs of participation in competitive film festivals around the world. At AFS, we understand that independent filmmakers often have minimal access to financial support during this key moment to share work with future stakeholders and develop relationships in the industry. The goal of the travel grant is to help filmmakers towards career leaps by supporting their travel to festivals and events that could make a significant impact on their film’s reach and their career in general. After spending most of their funds on completing the film, even filmmakers who are selected for major festivals have little to no funds remaining for festival travel. The AFS Travel Grant aims to assist Texas filmmakers during this critical moment. Texas-based filmmakers with proof of travel and an official acceptance letter to a festival on the AFS Travel Grant list are eligible to receive $500 for festivals in the US, Canada, and Mexico and/or $1000 for festivals outside of North America. Filmmakers can receive TWO travel grants during the life of their film not to exceed $1,500.  These grants are intended to help offset costs for filmmakers traveling outside the state of Texas. AFS Travel Grant applications are open year-round.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants:Texas-based filmmakers with proof of travel and an official acceptance letter to a festival on the AFS Travel Grant list are eligible. Eligible Festivals:Criteria:Festivals must occur outside of Texas;Festivals are highly competitive;Festivals may lead to distribution, influential reviews, and/or industry connections for participating filmmakers.The following are a few of the events on the list of eligible events for the AFS Travel Grant (there are more on the list):Academy AwardsAFI FestAmerican Film Festival (Wrocław, Poland)Annecy International Animated Film FestivalAtlanta Film FestivalBerlinale – Berlin International Film FestivalBerlinale Talent CampusBig Sky Documentary Film FestivalBFI London Film FestivalCAAMFESTCamden International Film FestivalCannes Film Festival (Short Film Corner is not eligible)Festivals and Events Not on the AFS Travel Grant List:If a filmmaker has been invited to a festival or event not listed above, they can still apply for a Domestic or International Travel Grant. These applications will be reviewed by the AFS Filmmaker Advisory Committee and can be deemed eligible at the end of the fiscal year (August 31). Participants will be notified in October if they have been approved.

Ineligibility

Projects accepted for student categories with the exception of the Student Academy Awards, do not qualify for the AFS travel grant.Festivals:No consideration will be given to festivals or events that are non-competitive in nature, like the Cannes and AFM markets, or that aren’t primarily focused on film and video.These grants are intended to help offset costs for filmmakers traveling outside the state, so Texas festivals & events will also not be given consideration.