Day 03 — The Front Festival’s Annual Independent Film Showcase
HOT, TEXAS FILMS.
Meet us on The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria sculpture garden grounds for The Front Festival’s 2025 Film Showcase. Arrive before sunset for a panel and performance, exploring the stories that shape us.
Then, under the stars and by the lake, watch a curated selection of independent films, featuring 12 works by women and LGBTQ+ directors and filmmakers in Texas.
Pre-sale passes are available now. Scroll for details.
2026 FILM SCHEDULE
7 PM — Community Panel
Ahead of the film screenings, join us for a candid community conversation and dynamic panel co-presented by The Contemporary Austin and Future Front around the museum's upcoming exhibitions.
8 PM — Sunset Performance
As the sun sets and you wait for the films to roll, plan your picnic spot and catch live music by the lake.
8:45 PM — The Front Festival Film Showcase
Gather in the outdoor amphitheater for our two-hour short film showcase, featuring 12 films by women and LGBTQ+ directors, editors, producers and talent in Texas. This year’s lineup coming soon.
ALL NIGHT — Good Food & Big, Texas Skies
Explore the Laguna Gloria grounds, soaking up all The Contemporary Austin’s shop, sculptures and art installations have to offer.
Stop by the Future Front shop for merch and ways to support what we do year-round.
Pack your own picnic with a blanket, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. You can pair your picnic with our festival menu, too, which includes:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Thirstday cocktails
Liquid Death sparkling water and teas
HOW TO ATTEND
One-day passes*for the Film Showcase range from $20 to $40.
Weekend passes* for the entire festival are $50 to $100 and include access to both the Music and Film Showcases, as well as opening and closing pool parties. *All passes are free for Future Front members.
All donations throughout the festival will support our local arts and culture programs. This year, all proceeds will directly benefit our recent loss of federal funding. We appreciate your support!
Reserve passes below.
*If you are a Future Front member, please provide your name at the door for entry or head to members.futurefronttexas.org or futurefrontmembership.squarespace.com to access member rates for event tickets, applications & other perks at anytime.
MEET THE LINEUP
Our official lineup will be announced in July 2026. To have your music or film considered for this year’s showcases, submit your work by June 29, 2026.
BEHIND THE FRONT FESTIVAL
The Front Fest is an end-of-summer festival, featuring independent music film and art in Austin, Texas.
Curated by Future Front, we put Texas women and LGBTQ+ artists at the front of our lineups.
Returning for four days (August 27 to 30, 2026), this year’s festival will take place at at iconic venues across the city, including The LINE Hotel Austin pool, the Red River Cultural District and The Contemporary Austin—Laguna Gloria. A portion of all ticket sales support Future Front’s programs, which have distributed $1M in creative commissions and honorariums since 2015.
Since 2016, the festival has seen more than 6,000 guests and showcased more than 550 women and LGBTQ+ artists, musicians, filmmakers and cultural leaders. Learn more at thefrontfest.com/why.
To become a sponsor in 2026, email hello@futurefronttexas.org.
PREPARE YOUR VISIT
VENUE LOCATIONS + ACCESSIBILITY — The Front Festival will be held across three venues in 2026: The LINE Hotel Austin, the Red River Cultural District and The Contemporary Austin—Laguna Gloria. All activities at all venues will occur on the ground floor and can be accessed by a wheelchair and other walking devices. If you have questions or need support with navigation, please email info@thecontemporaryaustin.org.
PARKING — We highly encourage utilizing rideshare or carpooling as there is limited self-parking available onsite. Both venues are easily accessible by Austin public transportation, too.
WHAT TO BRING — Bring a blanket or a fold-out chair to sit on. You’re welcome to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, too! Picnic vibes encouraged.
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES — ASL interpreters can be provided upon request. Si necesita traducción al español para participar en este evento, envíenos un correo electrónico a hello@futurefronttexas.org.
OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY GUIDELINES —
All Future Front staff, volunteers and guests will be required to practice mutual respect, as well as demonstrate an alignment with Future Front’s code of conduct and values.
Capacity is limited to reduce crowding of any kind and all events will be held in primarily outdoor and open-air spaces or have access to proper ventilations and well-maintained A/C systems.
At Future Front events, all guests are expected to follow Austin-local health and safety guidelines for gatherings, as well as practice consideration with the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and any other legal, mind-altering or dangerous substances and objects. This includes:
As Future Front strives to be a good neighbor, we also discourage the use of tobacco products on the property of nearby businesses and residences, to improve air quality, throughout our events.
Tobacco use and electronic smoking device use are not permitted at any time within Future Front properties and event spaces at least 15 ft from entrances, exits, operational windows, or ventilation system intake vents.
Littering of tobacco-related products on the grounds or parking lots is also prohibited.
Concealed or open weapons and firearms (including handguns) are not allowed at any Future Front venues.
If you have a question about the building's accessibility or anticipate needing assistance, shoot us a line at hello@futurefronttexas.org. We're happy to help and will get back to you.
BEHIND FUTURE FRONT
HOMEGROWN IN AUSTIN, FUTURE FRONT IS AN AWARD-WINNING CULTURE SPACE AND EXHIBITION SERIES—WITH WOMEN AND LGBTQ+ CREATIVES AT THE FRONT.
As an arts and culture nonprofit, we produce two community-led exhibitions, The Front Market and The Front Festival. Beyond our flagship showcases, we host year-round shows and workshops at our creative space in historic East Austin, welcoming 20,000+ visitors per year.
Through these programs and collaborations, we invite the public to dream of a future where creativity, curiosity and intersectional design thrive in Texas—where we see ourselves and our cultures reflected in our communities. Learn more at futurefronttexas.org.
BEHIND OUR PARTNER VENUE
The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria is a historic landmark site located only five miles from downtown on beautiful Lake Austin.
Known for artist-centric exhibitions and collaborations, The Contemporary Austin invites exploration at its lakeside location Laguna Gloria (3809 West 35th Street), which includes the museum’s Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the historic Driscoll Villa, a cafe and shop, as well as The Art School at The Contemporary.
Amongst its growing program of commissions, temporary projects, and a permanent collection, the 14-acre park features outdoor sculptures by artists including Ai Weiwei, Terry Allen, Carol Bove, Sarah Crowner, Tom Friedman, Anya Gallaccio, Ryan Gander, Liam Gillick, Nancy Holt, Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler, Paul McCarthy, Wangechi Mutu, Clare Rojas, Tom Sachs, Monika Sosnowska, Jessica Stockholder, SUPERFLEX, Marianne Vitale, and Ursula von Rydingsvard.
FUTURE FRONT IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY an Elevate Grant from the Austin Arts, Music, Culture and Entertainment, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Texas Commission on the Arts, The LINE Hotel Austin, Pease Park Conservancy, Preservation Austin, Movability, ART FOR ALL, Partiful, Moontower Rentals, Distribution Hall, Miscellaneous Rentals, Thirstday Tequila, the Red River Cultural District, Topo Chico, as well as Future Front’s donors and members.