Austin Studios

Austin Studios provides approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of production space, including sound stages, flex stages, production offices, vendor warehouse space, and a dedicated parking area for base camp. The campus is a hub for the region's creative media ecosystem.

Austin Studios is home to filmmakers, production vendors, and small businesses, including Richard Linklater's Detour Filmproduction, Miscellaneous Rentals, MPS Camera and Lighting Austin, Beth Sepko Casting, Vicky Boone Casting, and others.

Location

• Street address: 1901 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723

General rental and availability inquiries

For additional information and to check availability of rentable spaces at Austin Studios, you can:

• Contact the Senior Studio Manager, Chris Engberg, at chris@austinfilm.org
• Submit the Austin Studios Rental Inquiries contact form on the Austin Studios website

The inquiry form typically asks for:

• Contact name and organization
• Phone and email
• Preferred rental dates or general time frame
• Length of rental and approximate schedule
• Brief description of the rental (production, event, concert, etc.)
• How you heard about Austin Studios

Stage rental for productions

If you work for a production interested in renting a stage or other facilities at Austin Studios, you can also:

• Email studios@austinfilm.org
• Call 512-322-0145, ext. 3208

With advance notice, staff can arrange appointments for facility viewings.

All productions are required to carry appropriate production insurance.

Public access and tours

• Austin Studios is not open to the general public.
• Guided tours are offered for classes and educational institutions that provide a film- or media-based curriculum.
• All tours must be arranged in advance; visitors should not arrive at the Studios without an appointment.

To inquire about educational tours, contact the Austin Film Society through the Austin Studios or AFS website using the relevant tour inquiry link or general contact details.

• Film, television, and commercial productions
• Event and flex-stage rentals (such as events, concerts, and similar uses, subject to availability)
• Long- and short-term office and vendor space leases

Rental options and availability can change; always contact Austin Studios directly for current options.

How to inquire about renting space

Rental inquiry form

Prospective renters can submit an Austin Studios Rental Inquiries form via the Austin Studios webpage. The form typically requests:

• Contact first and last name
• Production / organization / group
• Phone number
• Email address
• Preferred rental dates or general time frame (for example, preferred month(s) and days of the week)
• Length of rental and approximate schedule (for example:
• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM setup
• 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM event
• 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM strike / load-out)
• Brief description of the rental (production, event, concert, etc.)
• How you heard about Austin Studios

The form notes that if you are unsure about some details, you can provide what you know and staff will work with you to clarify the rest.

Direct contact for stage rentals

If you work for a production interested in renting a stage or other facilities at Austin Studios, you can contact the studio directly:

• Email: studios@austinfilm.org
• Phone: 512-322-0145, ext. 3208

With advance notice, staff can arrange appointments for facility viewings.

You may also reach out to the Senior Studio Manager, Chris Engberg, at chris@austinfilm.org for information about availability and rates.

Insurance requirements

All productions renting facilities at Austin Studios are required to have appropriate production insurance. Austin Studios does not serve as the insurer for productions and cannot waive insurance requirements.

Public access and tours

• Austin Studios is not open to the general public.
• Guided tours are available for classes and educational institutions with a film or media-based curriculum.
• All tours must be arranged in advance; visitors should not arrive at the Studios without an appointment.

To inquire about educational tours, contact the Austin Film Society through the appropriate tour inquiry link or general contact information on the AFS website.

How to get the latest information

Availability, rates, and policies can change. For the most up-to-date information about renting at Austin Studios, contact the studio directly using the email addresses and phone numbers listed above or use the online rental inquiry form.

Austin Public's programs are designed to help individuals and organizations create film and media projects that:

• Speak to the local community
• Support community building
• Diversify the media landscape

Austin Public operates cable channels 10, 11, and 16 (with channel 10 being the longest continually running public access station in the country) and simultaneously streams these channels. It also provides video-on-demand and over-the-top (OTT) distribution services.

Location and contact

Address

• 1143 Northwestern Avenue
• Austin, TX 78702

Email contacts

• General producer program and classes: austinpublic@austinfilm.org
• Equipment and studio reservations: equipment@austinfilm.org

Phone

• Main phone: (512) 322-0145
• Equipment room: extension 3241
• Admin / coordinator: extension 3235

Hours of operation (current schedule)

• Monday–Thursday: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Friday–Saturday: Closed

Hours and schedules can change; check the Austin Public page on the Austin Film Society website for the most current information.

Using Austin Public resources

To learn more about how to utilize Austin Public's resources and content distribution services, prospective producers can:

• Review the "Become a Producer" information on the Austin Public section of the website
• Read about Producer First Steps, classes, and equipment
• Contact Austin Public via the email addresses above for questions about programming, equipment reservations, and the Producer Program.

By utilizing emerging talent from AFS Creative Careers alongside experienced Production Services staff, AFS Production Services can support a wide range of video needs, from event coverage to awareness campaigns.

What AFS Production Services offers

Services are customized to each organization's needs and can include:

• Production of video and digital content for businesses and nonprofits
• Support for events where you need footage captured
• Projects designed to build public awareness for nonprofits and community initiatives
• Flexible support ranging from a single crew member to a small, full production team

In addition to direct production services, AFS Production Services can provide referrals to qualified local media professionals, including alumni of the Creative Careers program.

How it works

• Organizations fill out an intake form describing their project needs and goals.
• You will then hear from the AFS Production Services Manager to discuss the project and develop a plan that meets your needs and budget.

According to the current website information, intake requests open on March 1, 2027. Until then, organizations may contact AFS Production Services for referrals.

Contact

For more information or to inquire about production support or referrals, email:

• production@austinfilm.org

AFS Production Services will work with you to determine whether direct production support or a referral to a local professional is the best fit for your project.

Key AFS filmmaker support programs include:

AFS Grant

• An annual production grant for Texas residents.
• Provides approximately $100,000 in cash and $40,000 in-kind goods and services.
• Supports pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution for independent films.

AFS Travel Grant

• A fund for Texas residents whose films have been accepted into competitive festivals or film development programs.
• Offers a flat $500 to help cover travel expenses for filmmakers.

AFS Artist Intensive

• An invitation-only annual lab/retreat for narrative feature projects in development or pre-production.
• Participants are selected via the AFS Grant application process.

AFS Doc Intensive

• An invitation-only annual lab/retreat for feature documentary projects in development or post-production with a working rough cut.
• Participants are selected via the AFS Grant application process.

Educational programs and classes

AFS offers community events, educational programming, and professional development opportunities for filmmakers at all career stages, primarily through its Community Media programming at Austin Public.

Classes may include topics such as:

• Production tools (camera, lighting, grip, TV studio, audio, field production)
• Post-production tools (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro X, DaVinci Resolve, Pro Tools)
• Directing and producing (masterclasses, business of film, marketing and distribution)

Panels, workshops, and moviemaker dialogues on various professional development topics are offered regularly.

Membership-related benefits for filmmakers

AFS members receive benefits that can support their filmmaking, which may include:

• Free and discounted educational programs
• Discounts on equipment rentals at Austin Public
• Access to the AFS MAKE Newsletter, a monthly e-newsletter highlighting opportunities for filmmakers and the Texas filmmaking community

Specific benefits and eligibility details can change; filmmakers should refer to the AFS membership information and filmmaker support pages for current program guidelines and application deadlines.

General membership benefits

While specific benefits vary by level, AFS members typically receive:

• Discounts on film screenings at AFS Cinema
• Discounts on classes and educational programs
• Access to exclusive invitations and events

Members should consult the current membership page on the AFS website for a full, up-to-date list of benefits by level.

Digital membership cards

• AFS offers digital membership cards.
• Members can retrieve their digital card using a provided link (accessible on a smartphone).
• A member's phone number functions as their membership number.
• Once the digital card appears, it can be added to the member's mobile wallet.
• It may take up to 24 hours for a new or updated digital card to appear in the system.

Printed membership cards

• Printed membership cards are available upon request.
• Members can request a printed card by emailing membership@austinfilm.org.

Tax deductibility

• AFS memberships are generally tax deductible.
• AFS provides information about the value of goods and services for members' tax records.

Payment options

• Installment payment options are available starting at the LOVE single membership level and above.
• Members can select installment payments in the payment options section of the online sign-up page.

For the most current details on membership levels, pricing, and benefits, members and prospective members should refer to the AFS membership page or contact the membership team directly.

Stages and vendor spaces

Stage 1 – Vendor Space

• 11,539 sq. ft. of hot warehouse area
• 4,508 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• Approximate clearance: 22 ft to ceiling
• Card access entry
• Half stage available (availability subject to change)

Stage 2 – Flex Stage and Office

• Open-span space
• 17,731 sq. ft. of mill / stage area
• 3,923 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• Listed as currently under rental agreement (availability subject to change)

Stage 3 – Sound Stage

• Sound-isolated walls and ceiling
• 12,525 sq. ft. of filming area
• 230 sq. ft. of office area
• Approximate clearance: 29 ft to ceiling
• 50-ton AC available
• 28.5 ft motorized rolling doors
• Listed as available now (availability subject to change)

Stage 4 – Flex Stage and Office

• 27,921 sq. ft. of mixed offices and studio spaces
• Fully conditioned
• Flex warehouse space
• Approximate clearance: 24 ft to ceiling

Stage 5 – Sound Stage

• Sound-isolated walls and ceilings
• 16,599 sq. ft. of filming area
• Approximate clearance: 22 ft to ceilings
• 20 ft motorized rolling doors

Stage 6 – Vendor Space

• 4,347 sq. ft. of hot warehouse space
• Conditioned private office
• Approximate clearance: 20 ft to ceiling
• 60 ft motorized door

Stage 7 – Flex Stage and Office

• 13,775 sq. ft. of filming / mill / flex space
• 1,973 sq. ft. of attached flex / storage area
• Approximate clearance: 26 ft to beams, 32 ft to ceiling
• 75 ft motorized rolling doors
• Packaged with the Creative Media Center (see below)

Office and creative media spaces

Creative Media Center

• 16,800 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• 11 private suites
• Additional private offices can be added at tenant expense
• Kitchenette and locked mail room
• Dedicated parking lot with 2 EV fast-charge stations
• Packaged with Stage 7

Red Building – Executive Suites and Offices

• 10,000 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• 24 private suites of varying sizes, configurations, and price ranges
• Keypad doors
• Current home of the AFS main office as well as MPS Austin, Beth Sepko Casting, and Vicky Boone Casting
• Two offices listed as available (availability subject to change)

Bungalow A

• 2,670 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• 9 private suites

Bungalow B

• 900 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• Includes a kitchenette

Bungalow E

• 4,200 sq. ft. of conditioned office area
• 12 private suites

For current availability and rates for any stage, vendor space, or office space, contact Austin Studios directly using the rental inquiry contacts.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.