The 2026 Austin Film Festival will honour three filmmakers at its Oct 31 ceremony: animation director Brad Bird, writer-director Andrew Haigh and playwright-turned-filmmaker Aleshea Harris. The recognitions highlight the festival's focus on screenwriting craft across different career stages, from established Hollywood names to emerging voices adapting stage work for the screen.

Bird, creator of "The Incredibles" and director of "Ratatouille" and "The Iron Giant," will receive the Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award, alongside the festival premiere of his new animated feature "Ray Gunn," starring Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell. Haigh, known for "All of Us Strangers" and "45 Years," will get the Writer's Writer Award and a screening of his latest film "A Long Winter." Harris, who made her directing debut with "Is God Is," receives the New Voice Award and will join a panel discussing adapting her work from stage to screen. The festival, running Oct 29–Nov 5 in Texas, also announced several world premieres including "Chopin," "Omi" and "Tigermom Academy."