AAIFF 2026: Deeper Into the Craft
What it is
The Austin AI Film Festival is a two-day festival for filmmakers working with AI. Now in its second year, AAIFF screens the year's best hybrid and generative films in Austin, where the filmmakers behind them walk through how the films got made: the workflows, the decisions, and the process behind every shot.
The festival brings together directors, writers, producers, animators, VFX artists, brand and advertising creatives, technologists, and the students coming up behind them. Screenings, keynotes and panels with the platforms shaping the craft, and a creator hackathon running across both days.
Films are curated by a committee drawn from the community. Selections screen October 16 and 17. Winners are announced at the awards show closing the second night.
What we believe
A generation of creators is building the craft of hybrid and generative cinema, and we believe they should be able to build careers doing it.
AAIFF exists as a platform for that ecosystem, a room where the craft gets shared openly, the community forms around the work, and the films reach the people who want to see them.
Who it’s for
AAIFF is for the creators building this art form: the directors, writers, producers, editors, animators, VFX artists, brand and advertising creatives, and technologists using AI to make the work today, along with the ones coming up behind them.
Some are shipping their first short. Others already have three commercials in market and are figuring out how to price the next one. They come to AAIFF to sharpen the craft, meet the people making it with them, and build the careers this new work makes possible.
Speakers
Billy Boman — Founder, Billy Boman AI Productions
Nik Kleverov — Co-founder & CCO, Native Foreign
Jason Zada — Founder & CCO, Secret Level
Davide Bianca — Co-founder & CCO/CTIO, GRAiL
Francesca Fini — Visual Artist & Filmmaker
C. Sean Yuksel — Executive Creative Director, Dreamspace
and more
Schedule
Friday: The Summit The how. Keynotes, panels, and live demos, all process. How a shot gets built, where the ideas come from, what failed before it worked. Every session led by someone making these films right now.
Saturday: The Screenings The lights go down. The year's best films on the big screen at Zach Theatre, with the filmmaker on stage after each one to talk through how it was made. Masterclass workshops run through the day. The night ends with the awards show, celebrating the year's best work with the people who understand what it took.
The Creator Hackathon A creator hackathon ahead of the main festival. Workshops with the platforms behind the work, live builds, and hands-on time with mentors and peers. The tools in your hands, not just on screen.
Tickets
All Access Pass — The best seats in the house, held for you. Front of the room at every session and every screening. First through the door at the masterclasses and networking sessions. Both days, plus the All Access lounge and bar.
Festival Pass — Both days. Every session, every screening, the masterclasses, and the awards show. Seating is first come, first served.
Summit Pass — Friday only. Keynotes, panels, and live demos from the people making these films.
Screening Pass — Saturday only. Films on the big screen, filmmaker interviews, masterclasses, and the awards show.
Check-in opens before the first session each day.
Location
Zach Theatre
202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA