Austin Film Festival announces Brad Bird as award honoree

The Austin Film Festival has announced several key honorees and premieres for its upcoming event, running from October 29 to November 5. Oscar winner Brad Bird will receive the 2026 Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award and will present the Texas premiere of his animated sci-fi noir, ‘Ray Gunn’.

Other featured filmmakers include Andrew Haigh, who will receive the Writer’s Writer Award and present the Texas premiere of the family drama ‘A Long Winter’. Additionally, Aleshea Harris has been named the recipient of the 2026 New Voice Award and will discuss her debut feature, ‘Is God Is’. The festival will also host its annual Writers Conference to connect emerging and established creators.