Movie lovers and aspiring filmmakers alike congregate annually at the Austin Film Festival. This year’s festival runs from October 22 -29th.

AFF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts of filmmaking and screenwriting by introducing new talent alongside the works of established professionals. Founded in 1994, AFF was created with a focus on writers’ contributions to film and soon included the art of filmmaking. Every year professional and amateur filmmakers come together with producers, agents and screenwriters to share their art with the Austin public.

This year’s festival will be displaying a total of 175 feature-length films and hundreds of short films showing at 8 different venues around Austin. In addition, the festival is also hosting screenwriting conferences for writers eager to learn more about getting into the business. The festival also provides an opportunity to network with people in the film business for those who are interested.

“I’ve been interested in film for quite a while now and someday hope to be successful in the industry,” said freshman Callie Chiang, a festival volunteer.

The festival will also hold panels with experts in the field, such as “What Gets Producers Excited,” “Breaking Into (and Writing for) Animation,” “The Art of Storytelling,” and many Roundtable discussions for aspiring writers, producers and directors.

The most anticipated films at this year’s festival include Lee Daniels’ “Precious” based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire about a young African-American girl’s troubled life, and Cheryl Hines’ “Serious Moonlight” about high-powered Manhattan lawyer Louise (Meg Ryan), who holds her husband captive because he committed adultery.

Past participants of the Festival & Conference include Wes Anderson, Joel & Ethan Coen, Oliver Stone, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson, among others.

Many students at St. Edward’s University have been attending the festival for years and are anxiously awaiting the festivities.

“I’m most excited about attending the discussion with Ron Howard,” said freshman Shannon Nisley. “I absolutely love the festival, it provides so many opportunities for young people who are interested in the film industry.”

The collaboration of professionals that participate in AFF often helps newcomers get a leg-up in the business. One of the festival’s goals is to foster and promote long successful careers.

“It just makes sense to learn from the best,” said Chiang.

Some AFF events are free to the public, while most require festival badges or passes. Individual tickets to screenings are sold when space permits. AFF provides many non-profit and group discounts.

For more information regarding passes and event schedules, check out the AFF website at www.austinfilmfestival.com.