Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference Speakers Revealed

AUSTIN, TX — Organizers of the 26th annual Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference on Thursday revealed more panelists for the upcoming event scheduled in October.

The lineup:

Dayo Adesokan writer Superstore, Downward Dog, Young & Hungry.
Tawnya Benavides-Bhattacharya Founder, TV Writing School, Script Anatomy; writer/co-executive producer Ginny & Georgia, A Million Little Things, Famous In Love, Perception, The Night Shift, The Client List, Fairly Legal.
Julie Benson writer Wu Assassins, The 100, DC Comics Batgirl, Birds of Prey comic, Green Arrow comic; co-producer Untitled Star Trek Animated Series for Nickelodeon.
Shawna Benson writer/co-producer Wu Assassins, The 100; writer DC's Batgirl, Birds of Prey comic, Green Arrow comic; co-producer Untitled Star Trek Animated Series for Nickelodeon.
Krista Carpenter manager/co-founder, Fictional Entity.
Tripper Clancy writer Stuber, Four Facing the Bank.
Bob Dearden writer Play It Again, Dick; iZOMBiE, Cobra Kai.
Alex Freedman writer/creator TV Calling; co-host Paper Team.
David Gleeson writer Tolkien, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Grimm Legacy, Down to a Sunless Sea; writer/director Don't Go, The Front Line, Cowboys & Angels.
Amy Louise Johnson writer Tyrant, The Long Road Home, Messiah, Nightflyers.
Jayme Lemons executive producer The Tale; producer Enlightened, Antiquities, Shine On with Reese.
Attica Locke author of five books; writer/producer When They See Us, Little Fires Everywhere
Ashley Miller writer Thor, X-MEN: First Class, Red Sonja; writer/producer Fringe, Black Sails, Lore.
Alvaro Rodriguez writer From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series; co-creator/executive producer Seis Manos.
Nick Watson writer Final Space, Littlest Pet Shop: World of Our Own; co-host Paper Team.

In other news, festival organizers announced details of a memorial service for Bill Wittliff. The service to which the public is invited will occur on Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Paramount Theater, 713 Congress Ave. Wittliff died on June 9, 2019 at his Austin home. He was a photographer, novelist, book publisher, storyteller, co-founder of the Wittliff Collections dedicated to the creative life of Texas and the Southwest, and screenwriter and filmmaker. His credits include the Lonesome DoveMiniseries, Perfect Storm, Legends of the Fall, Honeysuckle Rose, Raggedy Man, Barbarosa, The Black Stallion, and many others.

Event organizers also revealed details related to a an awards luncheon retrospective focused on Eric Haywood.

"Available to Conference & Producers Badge Holders, AFF's Awards Luncheon has had the honor to host some of the greatest storytellers of all time. From names like John Singleton, Ron Howard, Roger Corman, and more," officials wrote in a press advisory. "AFF's Awards Luncheon has always allowed attendees the opportunity to rub elbows with their storytelling heroes and peers."

This week, AFF officials cast a spotlight on Eric Haywood, 2013 AMC One Hour Teleplay Pilot Competition Winner and 2016 Screenwriter to Watch, who spoke about his humble expectations towards his festival entry, and his feelings throughout the competition. "He also confirms what we all know: everybody loves Vince Gilligan," officials wrote. "Since then, Eric has gone on to write for popular television series such as Empire and Power. We are excited to see where his storytelling journey will take him next!"

Courtesy image.