Storytellers, Get Excited—the New Season of 'On Story' Premieres Soon

I'll be honest, as a writer, the Austin Film Festival is one of my favorite fests.

It's so geared toward education and the sharing of ideas, and it puts aspiring creators in rooms with some of the most impressive working writers out there. I mean, is there anything more fun than listening to maestro Craig Mazin talk about his process on Chernobyl? What about getting screenwriting advice from Dave Kajganich? How about a seminar on Nora Ephron?

If you can't get to the fest or just want to relive past conversations, your education can continue with AFF's interview series, On Story.

The series will premiere its 11th season on Sunday, April 4, 2021, on public television stations across the country. (Check your local listings for channels and times.)

Season 11 will feature conversations between screenwriters, TV creators, and filmmakers from the 27th Annual Austin Film Festival & Conference. The new episodes feature Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), and more.

Liz Hannah said of the program, “Listening to how writers have forged their path and work through their process via On Story is consistently educational from the newest of writers to the most experienced. No path is wrong or right, it’s uniquely yours.”

On Story Executive Producer Maya Perez said in a statement, "On Storygives viewers the film festival experience in the comfort of their own homes and on their own time. It's a free front-row seat to engaging conversations from hundreds of filmmakers detailing their creative decisions and experiences creating the movies and TV shows we love."

This is a great opportunity for writers to continue to grow, even while the pandemic is going on. No festival pass needed!

In addition to the nationally distributed weekly television series, On Story content is available through the following outlets:

• A one-hour weekly radio program in collaboration with Public Radio Exchange (PRX) that includes such guests as Larry Wilmore (Insecure), Pamela Ribon (Ralph Breaks the Internet), Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (Avengers: End Game).
• Three books published by The University of Texas Press: On Story – Screenwriters and Their Craft, On Story – Screenwriters and Filmmakers on Their Iconic Films, and On Story – The Golden Ages of Television.
• A free podcast series available on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher.
• Archives from 27 years of Austin Film Festival housed at The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

To view episodes from previous seasons and learn more about the On Story Project, visitonstory.tv.