Austin Film Society launches Texas Lights with $300,000 in grants
The Austin Film Society has put more than $300,000 behind Texas filmmakers with the launch of Texas Lights, a new funding programme.
The organisation announced the awards on 22 September 2026, according to Variety. The money covers a slate of new grants. It arrives as the Society's grant programme turns 30.
Texas Lights brings the Society's filmmaker support under one banner. At its centre is the AFS Grant, an open-application fund meaning any eligible filmmaker can apply rather than entering by invitation.
The first three Texas Lights Grants go to Margaret Brown, Annie Silverstein and Diffan Sina Norman. No project details were disclosed. The three names lead the inaugural list.
Alongside those awards, the 2026 AFS Grants for Feature Films gave more than $160,000 to 14 feature-length productions, according to Variety. That is separate money for longer films, typically those running over 40 minutes. Fourteen teams share that pot.
Texas Lights is led by chief executive Rebecca Campbell, head of film Holly Herrick and senior director of Texas Lights Liz Lodge Stepp. The founder and artistic director of the Austin Film Society is Richard Linklater. He has held that role since the organisation began backing filmmakers.
The scale is large by regional standards. Over 30 years the grant programme has paid out more than $3.3 million for independent films, according to Variety. That covers cash awards to directors, producers and writers working in Texas.
Short films have their own track. Applications for the 2026 AFS Grant for Short Films opened on 23 July 2026. That round is now closed for submissions and will reopen in summer 2027.
What makes this stand out for filmmakers is the structure. One programme now holds the invited awards and the open call together. For anyone shooting in Texas, there is a single door to knock on.
