Austin Film Festival
Panel of Speakers

Our next #NAMixer on Wednesday, September 11^th at Opal Divine’s Austin Grill features up to 4 speakers from the staff of the Austin Film Festival (AFF).

Every October something big and wonderful happens here in Austin: AFF’s Annual Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference. Founders Barbara Morgan & Marsha Milam created AFF to celebrate the art of storytelling through film in 1993, bringing writers, filmmakers, and the community together to further the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists using the language of film to tell a story. It was the first event of its kind to take the lead in bringing professional and amateur screenwriters — and now filmmakers — together to celebrate the role of the screenplay in filmmaking and discuss the considerable creative possibilities of writing for film and television. Going a step further, it brings producers, agents, and screenwriters together to foster the sale of screenplays and launch long-term successful careers.

And did you know that AFF also offers an array of amenities throughout the year?

Classes Workshops Summer Camps Filmmaker Q&As Networking Events Festival Scholarships Conversations in Film Student Opportunities Audience Award Series Youth Filmmakers Program Podcasts, Radio Programs, Television Series
Membership Program with advance screenings, film premieres, script readings, exclusive parties, discounts around town, and more

So come to Opal Divine’s on September 11^th to learn more from our fine panel featuring:

• Marissa Padden, Theater Operations Manager
• Brittany Falk, Executive Administrator
• Corbin Heinchon, Production Manager
• Samantha Levine, Marketing Director

Last Month

We want to extend our warmest gratitude to the one and only Bill Kirchenbauer for guest speaking on Wednesday August 14, 2019!

An intensely talented and creative actor, stand-up comedian and much sought-after entertainer, Bill kept our audience mesmerized for over an hour as he delivered his, well, thing: presenting enlightening and informative insights highlighted with tasteful doses of spontaneous humor and brilliant entertainment. Because that’s what he does, and does so well. Thanks again, Bill! You are always a superb speaker and entertainer.

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

Come on the 11^th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Beware both rush hour traffic and current construction! From IH35,

heading south, slight right with construction cones veers off the frontage road to get to the businesses just north of Oltorf, including Opal Divine’s at the Best Western Plus Hotel

heading north, turn left onto Oltorf, then turn right immediately after crossing over the southbound frontage road of IH35 onto East Live Oak Street, and turn right into the Best Western Plus Hotel parking lot where Opal Divine’s is situated

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Program @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking

Austin Film Festival
Panel of Speakers

 
At our next mixer on Wednesday, August 8^th at Opal Divine’s Austin Grill we present up to 4 speakers from the staff of the Austin Film Festival (AFF). Celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year, AFF is recognized as one of the best and most important film festivals, offering movies galore of every genre (many first releases), as well as panels and workshops with industry specialists discussing filmmaking, screenwriting, production, casting, financing, greenlighting, and much more. Come learn lots about it and wish AFF a Happy 25^th Anniversary at this month’s #NAMixer.

Spanning 8 jam-packed days & nights, this year’s Austin Film Festival & Conference features film screenings, workshops, roundtables, panels, parties, special events, and numerous networking opportunities. Find out about submitting, volunteering, interning, and everything there is to know about AFF’s Festival & Conference on October 25 – November 1, 2018 from these fine staff people of AFF:

Samantha Johnson – Executive Administrator (manages the script readings and is always looking for actors)
Born and raised in Texas, Samantha graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in English. Her passion for writing and storytelling led her to the Austin Film Festival where she began as an intern in the Conference Department before taking on the role of Film Marketing & Events Coordinator. Most recently Sam served as the Office Manager and she is thrilled to now be taking over the position of Executive Administrator at AFF. Out of the office, you can find Sam in the Red River District enjoying live music or binge-watching movies over queso and champagne.

 

Gabbi Lindgren – Script Competitions Coordinator (manages the volunteer readers)
Originally from Eagan, Minnesota, Gabbi moved to Austin in January of 2015. Since her move she has filled a number of roles within AFF from starting as an intern in the Development Department to eventually serving as the Registration Director for the 2015 Festival before transitioning to her role in the Screenplay Department in which she coordinates all things administrative for the Competition. In her free time she enjoys throwing the Frisbee for her dog, Jasper, eating breakfast tacos, and of course, watching movies.

 

Samantha Levine – Marketing Director
Originally from Chicago, Samantha attended the University of Texas at Austin and has stayed in the city ever since. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance with a concentration in RTF. Samantha originally joined AFF as an Office Management Intern for the 2013 Festival and has also filled the roles of Event Coordinator, Office Manager, Theater Operations Coordinator and Script Reading Coordinator. Samantha is looking forward to furthering the mission of AFF through marketing efforts. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys yoga, going to see live music and theatre, performing and sleeping.

 

Rob Gonzalez – Volunteer Manager
Raised in the Treasure Valley and Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Rob came to Austin by way of Tucson after graduating from the University of Arizona. He began interning with Austin Film Festival in 2016 and was hired shortly after as the Volunteer Manager. With his varied work experience as a white water raft salesman, ski patroller, independent theater manager, and kombucha brewer, Rob continues to serve as the head of volunteer operations. You can find him outside of work in the middle of nowhere enjoying the harshest nature he can find, or at home on his couch, sipping a homebrewed drink, and playing video games.

 
So check out the AFF Filmmakers Roundtable: Meet The Crew at the 4^th Tap Brewing Co-op on Tuesday, August 7^th, and the next night be sure to join us at this month’s Network Austin Mixer on Wednesday, August 8^th at Opal Divine’s for insights and info about AFF and its upcoming Film Festival and Conference.

Get there early to take advantage of Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

 

Last Month

We extend our deepest thanks to writer, producer, filmmaker, sound engineer (and more) Andrew Garrison for his excellent presentation at our Wednesday July 11^th Mixer! Andrew showed some clips of his work, explained his processes and creative approaches, and answered a multitude of questions from our audience. Andrew is continuing to make movies right here in Austin, where he teaches production and is the Audio Area Head of Radio-Television-Film at The University of Texas at Austin.  Thank you, Andrew, for your time, insights, professionalism, and inspiration!
See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

 

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Speakers @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking