AFF 2012: Introduction

The wide-ranging, screenwriter-centric Austin Film Festival & Conference boasts both famous names and fledgling filmmakers, and in our preview we've chosen to follow suit. A mega-talent who changed our relationship to TV? Check. A homegrown filmmaker keeping the Slacker tradition alive? Got that, too. Spotlights on under-the-radar docs and under-the-couch-cowering slasher films? Done, and done. And this is just the beginning: You can follow the Chronicle's continuing coverage at austinchronicle.com/austin-film-festival and @ACScreens.

The 19th annual Austin Film Festival & Conference runs Oct. 18-25 at various venues around town. Film passes and badges are still on sale (the screenwriting conference is restricted to badge holders); individual tickets for films may be purchased the day of at the theatre box office. See www.austinfilmfestival.com for purchase info and full lineup.

Alamo Drafthouse Ritz 320 E. Sixth

Alamo Drafthouse Village 2700 W. Anderson

Austin Convention Center 500 E. Cesar Chavez

Paramount Theatre 713 Congress

Rollins Theatre at the Long Center 701 W. Riverside

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum 1800 N. Congress

The Hideout Theatre 617 Congress