Driven by a passion for discovering bold voices and celebrating the artists who define music culture, Sound Unseen Austin is officially hunting for its next lineup. The festival is currently accepting submissions for its sixth annual film and music festival—but you'll need to act fast.
The final deadline to submit your project via FilmFreeway is this Sunday, May 31.
What they are looking for
Whether you are a first-time filmmaker or an award-winning director, Sound Unseen Austin wants to see your work. The festival is specifically seeking projects that explore the stories behind the sound, including:
- Music documentaries
- Narrative features
- Short films
- Music videos
Selected artists will be notified by June 30, ahead of the official 2026 festival running from August 6–9 at the AFS Cinema.
A festival built for genuine music fans
The event carved out a unique space in the local creative scene by focusing entirely on the deep connection between sound and screen.
"What drew me most to Sound Unseen was the opportunity to create a festival experience built for genuine music fans, like me. Music and film have always been central to how I connect with people, community, and culture, and some of the most meaningful moments in my life have happened in shared spaces centered around art and storytelling." > — Becky Arreaga, Sound Unseen Austin Festival Director
Joining an esteemed alumni lineup
By submitting your film, you have the chance to follow in the footsteps of incredible music cinema. Past festivals have screened acclaimed features like "Meet Me in the Bathroom" (featuring indie icons The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, and LCD Soundsystem), Alison Ellwood’s Cyndi Lauper documentary "Let the Canary Sing," and the Kathleen Hanna/Riot Grrrl movement doc "The Punk Singer".
Work from standout directors and creators like Andrew Reich, Don Hardy, Kathrine Popper, Bryan Poeser, and Megan Trufant Tillman (Megz of Magna Carda) have also graced the Sound Unseen screens.
How to submit & learn more
Don't miss the window to get your art in front of this music-loving community.
- To submit your film before the Sunday deadline: Head over to the official Sound Unseen Austin FilmFreeway Submission Page.
- For more festival details or to support their mission: Visit the main Sound Unseen Austin Website.
Deadline is Sunday
Deadline is Sunday
