Conference Director (Austin Film Festival)

Project Type: Industry
Pay Status: Paid
Production Company / Studio: Austin Film Festival
Location: Austin
Start Date: Friday, May 1, 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Conference Director’s role is to program the annual Writers Conference, work with the Film and Screenplay Department’s creative heads to develop and implement cross programming to ensure cohesion within Festival programming and across all Festival initiatives, market to both the general public and the established Conference and Festival registrant base, help create the Festival’s Program Book, and program and schedule additional year-round Austin Film Festival programs. The Conference Director will work with all departments in creating a cohesive program and to advocate the Festival’s mission throughout the year.

ENVIRONMENT: While working for this critically recognized organization, applicants are expected to be able to work efficiently and professionally in a fast paced, team-oriented production environment. In such an environment, the ability to work well under pressure, excellent communication skills and intense organizational skills are a must.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The responsibilities of the Conference Director include but are not limited to:

Create a program which fulfills AFF’s mission and goals while sustaining the reputation of the Festival’s programming.
Program, manage and oversee the Conference (more than 175 panels in four days):
Invite guest speakers
Program creative and timely panels, roundtables & workshops that cater to first-time Conference visitors about to write their first script, professional filmmakers seeking an inspirational boost and networking opportunities, as well as general audiences of film lovers. Work closely with ED, Development, Screenplay and Film Departments to ensure programming is furthering the Festival’s mission.
Maintain the excellence of the program, regardless of the strict budget limitations.
Demonstrate timely and effective written and verbal communication.
Communicate with all incoming speakers about expectations and panel schedules
Invite moderators; communicate with all moderators about expectations, moderator guidelines and schedules
Invite honorees and their award presenters
Facilitate hospitality handlers for honorees and special guests; provide itineraries for parties involved
Manage a Conference team which consists of a Conference Coordinator, interns, apprentice, and a large base of volunteers
Lead the Film and Screenplay Departments in cross programming and new Festival initiatives
Conduct weekly Creative Meetings with the Senior Film Program Director and Script Competition Director to brainstorm new ideas and ensure goals are being met
The Conference Director will be responsible for managing the Conference Department – while the Senior Film Program Director and Scripts Competition Director will maintain responsibility for managing their respective departments.
Facilitate and continue to build the slate of strong television premieres
Program all retrospective screenings and corresponding guest programmers
Assist with helping select jury members for all competitions
Focus on individuals and companies that can play a larger role in the Festival (panelists, mentors, fellowship deals, etc.)
Assist the Senior Film Programmer in creating a strong slate of marquee films for the Festival
Conduct ample research and outreach to distributors, producers, executives, and alum – executed and maintained year-round
Travel to LA and set meetings with distribution and production competitions
Help coordinate guests for each film to make every screening an event
Utilize the Festival’s history to help secure programming
Maintain the excellence of the program, regardless of the strict budget limitations
Demonstrate timely and effective written and verbal communication
Attend weekly staff meetings and marketing meetings w/ detailed weekly reports
Advocate for the Festival’s mission in all meetings
Create excitement throughout departments by communicating secured guests and programming
Collect and edit panelists’ photos, bios, addresses and all contact information; maintain Conference contact database
Make sure website has current Film and Conference information
Contribute to the blog and social media with panelist interviews and relevant posts
Coordinate honorees and panelists schedules, itineraries, travel arrangements and accommodations
Oversee registration, gift baskets, Festival bags for all panelist and moderators
Work with ED to secure all venues for Conference and oversee complete production of Conference including hotel BEOs, Conference signage, chairs and audio.
Write panel, bio, schedule content for the Program Book
Work with Marketing Director to create and execute marketing plan for the Film Festival, Conference, and year-round events, including outreach to past and potential new registrants, partner organizations, screenwriting and filmmaking groups, and schools & universities; and Call for Entries, Conference and other Festival brochures.
Work with Development Director to help determine strategic development partnerships and sponsored programming
Supervise interns and independent contractors
Event planning for year-round programs including but not limited to: Conversations in Film, screenplay readings, Young Filmmakers Program, writers retreats, and film screenings.

Visit https://austinfilmfestival.com/about/get-involved/job-opportunities/ for more information and to apply.

As with any workplace, the film and television industries can present a wide range of potential occupational health and safety hazards to workers. The Texas Film Commission expects all productions, regardless of budget to employ best practices such as establishing a workplace harassment prevention policy as well as maintaining overall industry safety standards in order to encourage and accomplish safety on set. Please visit the Safety On Set page for additional industry safety resources as well as information about employee rights and laws in Texas.

Project posted February 10, 2026