By Laura Kroeger
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) kicks off each year with its Writers Conference, a four-day event of panels and parties exploring the craft and business of screenwriting. For screenwriters, this is heaven, where they can celebrate and commiserate with their peers and idols as they learn, network, and bond.
I attended for the first time last year, and quickly honed in on the things I wish I had known before arriving in Austin. I’ll be attending again this year, where my screenplay BIGGER IN TEXAS is a Second Rounder in the Drama Feature Competition, a hard-earned win that I will be shamelessly flaunting on my badge, as any self-respecting AFF attendee should! More on that below.
The festival has its own FAQ page, but here are ten tips for how to get the most out of the conference.
- Network before you arrive.
- Network after you leave.
- Know your work.
- Bring comfy shoes.
- Dress to impress your fellow writing nerds.
- Dress up your badge.
- Minimize travel.
- Maximize panel benefits.
- Bring a good notebook.
- Hydrate and pack snacks.
