The 2026 AFS Grant for Feature Films and the Harrison McClure Endowed Film Fund are now open for submissions via Submittable and will close on May 20, 2026, at 6 PM CT.
The AFS Grant for Short Films is now closed and will reopen in the summer of 2026.
The AFS Grant awards funds annually to Texas-based filmmakers working in any style or genre. The AFS Grant aims to ensure that promising Texas artists have access to funding opportunities right here in their home state. AFS is committed to providing equitable funding opportunities for artists, and filmmakers of all identities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Since its inception in 1996, the AFS Grant has awarded more than $3 million in cash grants and more than $340,000 in-kind goods and services to 570+ Texas filmmakers to date, creating life-changing opportunities for artists, many from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the film industry and working outside large industry centers. In addition to grants for development, production, and post-production, we provide cash stipends to Texas filmmakers traveling to prestigious film festivals through our AFS Travel Grant program.
The AFS Grant is highly competitive. Over the last five years, on average, 12% of applicants received funding per cycle. Each project is reviewed by a different combination of statewide reviewers and a panel of nationally-recognized industry experts. Reviewers and panelists include film programmers, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
If you have any questions regarding the grant, please email us at filmmakersupport@austinfilm.org.
Check out past grant recipients here.
ONLINE INFO SESSIONS
Austin Film Society’s Filmmaker Support team will host free webinars on Zoom to inform and answer questions about the 2026 AFS Grant for Feature Films. Click the links below to register.
AFS Grant for Feature Films Webinar | April 22 at 6 PMAFS Grant: Harrison McClure Endowed Film Fund Webinar | April 23 at 6 PMAFS Grant for Feature Films Webinar | May 12 at 6 PM
If you are unable to attend the above webinars, a recording of the first webinar will be available on this page a week after the event.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 AFS GRANT PARTNERS
