Full Breakdown
Austin Film Festival Honors Nina Jacobson and Eric Kripke
4/1/2026, 8:43:34 PM
Recognition of Achievements in Film and Television
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) has announced that Nina Jacobson and Eric Kripke will be the first honorees for its 2026 edition. Jacobson will receive the Polly Platt Award for Producing, while Kripke is set to receive the Outstanding Television Writer Award. The awards will be presented during the festival’s annual awards luncheon on October 31, 2026. The 33rd Austin Film Festival is scheduled to take place from October 29 to November 5 in Austin, Texas.
Honorees' Contributions to the Industry
Nina Jacobson, founder of Color Force, is recognized for her significant contributions to both film and television, particularly for her work on the “The Hunger Games” franchise and the biographical film “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.” The Polly Platt Award, established in 2019, honors producers who have a strong track record of championing storytelling and emerging talent.
Eric Kripke, known for creating and showrunning Prime Video’s acclaimed series “The Boys,” is being honored for his contributions to serialized television. His notable works also include “Supernatural” and “Timeless,” and he has further expanded “The Boys” universe with spinoffs such as “Gen V.” Kripke has a history with the Austin Film Festival, having first gained recognition at the event in 1997 for his student short film “Truly Committed.”
Support for Emerging Talent
In addition to honoring Jacobson and Kripke, the Austin Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 industry-sponsored fellowships and awards aimed at supporting emerging writers and filmmakers. The festival will feature various screenplay competition honors, including the AMC One-Hour Pilot Award, The Donners’ Company Screenwriting Award, and the Enderby Entertainment Award. Other prizes include the Valhalla Entertainment Award and the William N. Collage Screenwriting Award, as well as the YMH Studios Comedy Feature Fellowship. These fellowships cover a range of categories, from drama pilots and comedy features to genre-driven projects and animated series. Submissions for the 2026 festival and screenplay competition are currently open.
Conclusion
The Austin Film Festival continues to celebrate excellence in storytelling and filmmaking, with the recognition of Nina Jacobson and Eric Kripke highlighting the festival's commitment to honoring impactful contributions in the industry. As the festival approaches, it also emphasizes its role in fostering new talent through its various awards and fellowships.
