Sound Unseen Austin

Here’s a brief guide for submitting to Sound Unseen Austin 2026: details on categories, runtime requirements, and the inclusion of student films. ⁠
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If your film utilizes music to drive the narrative, we’d love to showcase it. Notifications for selected entries will be sent out by June 30. Submissions are still being accepted via (link available in our bio).⁠
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The festival screenings are scheduled for August 6–9 at AFS Cinema .⁠
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Submissions for Sound Unseen Austin 2026 are open.  
 
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: Regular (Mar 31), Late (Apr 30), Extended (May 31). Notifications go out June 30.  
 
Submit via FilmFreeway (link in bio). 
 
   filmsubmissions

Submissions for Sound Unseen Austin 2026 are open.  
 
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬: Regular (Mar 31), Late (Apr 30), Extended (May 31). Notifications go out June 30. Submit via FilmFreeway (link in bio). 
 
filmsubmissions

A bare stage. One voice. Then the band arrives piece by piece until the whole show becomes its own choreography. That slow build is the point. STOP MAKING SENSE (1984) treats the concert itself as cinema, not as a documentary extra.

We’re co-presenting STOP MAKING SENSE with on Feb 25, 26, 28 and Mar 1. Code SUATX4 takes $4 off tickets at checkout (valid Feb 25 to Mar 1, 2026; limit two discounts per person). Link in bio

Tomorrow night in San Marcos. Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted screens with , followed by a post-film conversation with editor Paul Lovelace and producer Ben Wu.⁠
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Doors 6:15 PM. Film at 7:00 PM. Tickets via First Tuesday’s link in bio
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🎟️ This one’s for Talking Heads fans (so everyone). is hosting a giveaway with tickets to on February 13 and to the opening-night screening of Stop Making Sense at AFS Cinema @ on February 25.⁠
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⏰ Enter by Feb 6 at NOON. Presented with
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Link in bio ⁠
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This documentary moves the way does: digressive, cluttered, effortlessly cool. ⁠ 
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Co-Directed by Isaac Gale and David McMurry, Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted pays attention to gestures, timing, and lived-in spaces—and never rushes to organize a 70-year career into something neat.⁠ ⁠ 
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Screening Tuesday, February 3 at the Price Center & Garden in San Marcos with First Tuesday SMTX. Followed by a Q&A with editor Paul Lovelace and producer Ben Wu. ⁠ 
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Tickets and details via link in bio. ⁠ 
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Flatiron Film Project is a nonprofit doing something very real for independent filmmakers and theatermakers: getting resources into hands before momentum disappears. ⁠
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Their inaugural grants cycle closes Feb 4, supporting 3–5 projects with cash awards ($500–$5K) plus production support, festival access, and mentorship.⁠
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If you’re building a project and need support that goes beyond a check, spend time with and see if this round fits your work.⁠
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🚨Early Bird pricing ends January 31.🚨

If your film is driven by music, sound, or the culture around it, Sound Unseen Austin is where it belongs.

We champion documentaries, narratives, shorts, music videos, and experimental work that put music at the center of the story.

Submit by January 31 to save on Early Bird fees.
After that, rates go up. ⬆️

🎬 Submit now via link in bio.

Still buzzing from an incredible screening of AGE OF AUDIO.⁠
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This film traces the rise of podcasting from its origin to a cultural force that has reshaped how stories are told, voices are amplified, and communities are built. ⁠
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Sound Unseen Austin was proud to co-present this screening alongside our partners Austin Film Society and KUTX.⁠
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Photo 1: With filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón, whose vision and care brought this story to life.⁠
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Photo 2: Post-screening conversation with KUT's Jerry Quijano, digging into the cultural impact, craft, and future of audio storytelling.⁠
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Grateful for the collaboration, the conversation, and a city that continues to show up for films about music, media, and the people behind them. Stay tuned for more great films like this to come!⁠
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🎧 THE AGE OF AUDIO

“The story of podcasting, told by the people who started it all.”

The Age of Audio explores the rise of podcasting from basement mics to billion-dollar deals, examining how a DIY movement became a global industry — and what gets complicated along the way.

Sound Unseen Austin is thrilled to kick off our year by co-presenting this screening with Austin Film Society, and proud to partner with KUTX to bring this conversation to Austin.

🗓 Sunday, January 18
⏰ 4:15 PM
📍 AFS Cinema

An AFS Grant-supported film
Followed by a post-screening Q&A with filmmaker
Shaun Michael Colón

🎟 Tickets available now.
Link in bio. See you there!

🎬 Sound Unseen is back. Austin, we missed you. 🎶

After a brief pause, Sound Unseen Film + Music Festival is officially returning to Austin, bringing together two passionate audiences who believe the best stories are driven by sound.

Founded in Minneapolis and celebrated nationally for over two decades, Sound Unseen sits at the intersection of film, music, and culture showcasing music documentaries, narrative films, shorts, conversations, and live experiences made for true fans.

We are proud to relaunch this next chapter with renewed energy, bold programming, and a deep love for the creative community.

🎥 Submissions are now open
🎶 Filmmakers, musicians, and music fans welcome
📍 Austin, TX
🔗 Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/SoundUnseenAustin

This is The Film Festival for Music Fans.

Let’s do this!