Austin Film Society

Name

Austin Film Society

Legal name

Austin Film Society

Website

https://austinfilm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts & Cultural Services (Film Society and Community Media)

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent & Art-house Cinemas (MPADAKAB), Non-Theatrical Distribution (Educational, Airlines, Cruise, Community) (MPADAJAJ), Campus & Educational Screenings (Universities, Schools) (MPADAKAI)

Keywords

• Arthouse cinema screenings
• Filmmaker grant funding
• Community media training
• Public access television
• Film society programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: AFS offers various membership levels providing discounts and benefits at all three facilities (AFS Cinema, Austin Studios, and Austin Public).
2. Cinema Screenings & Events: Revenue from ticket sales for film screenings at AFS Cinema, including special events and premieres.
3. Classes & Education: Continuing education courses and workshops for professional skills development in film, TV, and digital media.
4. Production Services: Video and digital content creation services for local businesses and nonprofits.
5. Donations & Grants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by donations, corporate sponsorships, and grant funding from foundations and government arts agencies.
6. Producer Program Subscriptions: Yearly subscription at $120/year or month-to-month at $12/month for access to production resources within the Producer Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Austin Film Society operates three interconnected facilities that together form a community media ecosystem: AFS Cinema (a repertory and first-run arthouse theater), Austin Studios (a 20-acre production facility), and Austin Public (a community media center operating cable channels 10, 11, and 16, plus streaming/VOD distribution). The organization supports filmmakers through grants (up to $20,000 for features), training, equipment access, and the Creative Careers workforce development program, while serving the public with film screenings, classes, and production services.

Product overview

Austin Film Society operates as a multi-facility film arts organization comprising three core locations: AFS Cinema (repertory and arthouse theater), Austin Public (non-exclusive media studio with cable channels 10, 11, and 16, streaming, and video-on-demand), and Austin Studios (20-acre production facility). The organization supports filmmakers through AFS Grants (feature films up to $20,000, shorts up to $10,000, travel grants), the Producer Program (subscription-based equipment access and training), and Creative Careers workforce development. Educational programming includes the Summer Education Series and community classes. Signature events include the Texas Film Awards and Texas Film Hall of Fame. Film programming spans multiple curated series including Essential Cinema, Big Screen Classics, World Cinema Classics, Fright Club, Doc Nights, and the Pan African Film Festival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Austin Public: A space for Austin's diverse media makers to train and collaborate; operates as the City of Austin's public access television station with cable channels 10, 11, and 16
• AFS Cinema
• Austin Studios
• Texas Film Awards
• Pan African Film Festival Austin Series

Products and services

• AFS Cinema Repertory and first-run arthouse cinema for the Austin community, hosting curated film series, premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and international industry events. Aimed at general audiences and film enthusiasts.
• Austin Public Community media center providing low- and no-cost training, production equipment, facilities, and content distribution via public access cable (channels 10, 11, 16), streaming, and VOD. Targeted at Austin-area residents ages 15+.
• Austin Studios 20-acre production facility offering stages, infrastructure, and rentals for professional film, TV, and commercial production. Targeted at production companies, studios, and filmmakers.
• AFS Grants Annual grant program awarding cash to Texas-based filmmakers for feature development/production (up to $20,000), short films (up to $10,000), travel, and specialized awards. Targeted at independent Texas filmmakers.
• Creative Careers Workforce development program offering stipend-paid internships (6-month for ages 18-24), immersive 3-month training, and continuing education pathways with industry job placement support.
• Producer Program Subscription-based access ($12/month or $120/year) to production resources including cameras, audio, lighting, grip, studios, and edit bays, with required resource certification classes. Available to Austin-area residents in Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Hays, and Bastrop Counties.
• AFS Summer Education Series Week-long intensive continuing education classes in directing, writing, and other film craft topics taught by industry professionals. Targeted at aspiring and working filmmakers seeking skill development.
• Production Services Professional video and digital content creation services for local businesses, nonprofits, and institutions in Central Texas, utilizing trained talent from the Creative Careers program.
• Texas Film Awards Annual fundraising gala celebrating Texas film artists and industry icons, featuring red carpet events, awards ceremony, Texas Film Hall of Fame inductions, and a fundraising auction.
• Film Series Programming Curated film series and signature programming including Essential Cinema, Big Screen Classics, World Cinema Classics, Avant Cinema, Fright Club, Doc Nights, and partner festivals like the Pan African Film Festival.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ interns got their first industry job through Creative Careers program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Troublemaker StudioscoreOthers · 5 March 2026Austin-based production studio serving as venue for 2026 Texas Film Awards event at 4900 Old Manor Rd.
• Pan African Film Festival (PAFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFS hosts the fourth annual Austin series presenting films from Los Angeles' Pan African Film Festival, established in 1992 by Danny Glover, Ja'Net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu. Festival takes place July 30 - August 1, 2026.
• Wells FargomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of 2026 Texas Film Awards.
• Arts+LaborminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia production company sponsor for Texas Film Awards.
• 26 Keys ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProduction company sponsor for Texas Film Awards.
• Texas Film CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState film commission supporting Texas film industry and AFS programs through sponsorship.
• Stuck On OnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides DCP (Digital Cinema Package) awards to grant recipients in post-production.
• MPS StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides camera and lighting equipment rental awards to grant recipients valued up to $10,000.
• TBD PostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustin post-production facility providing color and conform award valued at $12,000 for short film grants.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Austin Film Society