Austin Film Festival shone for me this year. I’ve attended in previous years, and although there were noticeable changes this time, I left thoroughly impressed with the festival, its film selections, and especially the people who worked so hard to make it happen. Festivals make up the majority of my movie experiences these days, and AFF did not disappoint.
The lineup was excellent, offering a pleasing variety of films across a wide range of genres. There were dramas, documentaries, comedies, and some wonderfully unusual stories that are hard to categorize. I appreciate a festival that offers such a broad selection, especially when it includes films that might otherwise never make it to a theater near me. I found myself studying the schedule repeatedly, trying to decide which films to see and which I would unfortunately have to miss.
Although I didn’t attend any panels or workshops this year, I managed to see 20 films. That was quite an undertaking, and in the end, it wasn’t a lack of interesting films that limited my choices, but simply a shortage of time and energy to see everything I wanted to. I enjoyed the chance to see so many different films, some of which I probably wouldn’t have considered watching if they hadn’t been part of the festival.
One of the biggest differences this year was the distance between venues. The festival was considerably more spread out than in years past, and the logistics required a bit more thought. I wasn’t sure how well that would work, especially when trying to fit multiple screenings into a day. Fortunately, travel time between theaters was manageable, and with some planning, I was able to make it work. Austin traffic is Austin traffic, after all, and there’s only so much anyone can do about it!
In my eyes, the festival staff and volunteers deserve special recognition. They were absolutely excellent. Every theater I visited had a smooth, well-executed plan for managing audiences, and the staff members were consistently attentive, kind, and accommodating. I was impressed not only by the organization but also by the attitude of the people working at each location. They seemed genuinely pleased to help, and that makes a difference.
As a person with a disability, I was especially appreciative of how accessibility was handled. At every venue, the staff and volunteers ensured that those of us who needed extra time or assistance received it. There was no fuss, no sense of being hurried along, and no feeling that asking for help was an inconvenience. I can’t overstate how important that is. Attending a film festival can be physically demanding even under the best circumstances, and having people who understand that some of us need a little extra consideration makes the entire experience more enjoyable.
Looking back on the week, I have very few complaints and a great deal of praise. The quality and variety of the films, the organization at each theater, and the consistently wonderful treatment I received made this year’s festival especially memorable. After 20 films, I left the festival with plenty to think about, several reviews still to write, and every intention of returning next year.