MPS Studios Sponsors Austin Film Society Grant Supporting Independent Filmmakers

At MPS Studios, we believe great stories deserve the tools to be told well. That’s why we’re proud to support the next generation of filmmakers through the MPS Camera & Lighting Austin Award, an in-kind grant presented in partnership with the Austin Film Society.

This award is part of the AFS Grant program, one of the most respected funding initiatives supporting independent filmmakers in Texas and beyond. The program awards grants twice each year—once for feature films and once for short films—helping emerging and established storytellers bring ambitious projects to life.

Supporting the Creative Community

The MPS Camera & Lighting Austin Award provides filmmakers with a multi-day camera and lighting package rental valued at up to $10,000. By providing professional-grade equipment, the award helps filmmakers elevate production quality and execute their creative vision.

Independent filmmaking often depends on collaboration and community support. By contributing equipment resources, MPS helps bridge the gap between creative ideas and the practical tools needed to produce them.

The award includes:

• A camera and lighting package rental from MPS Studios valued up to $10,000

• Professional cinema equipment suitable for narrative, documentary, or hybrid productions

• Support from a team experienced in film and television production workflows

Strengthening the Texas Film Ecosystem

Texas continues to grow as a vibrant hub for film and television production. Organizations like the Austin Film Society play a crucial role in nurturing that ecosystem by providing financial resources, mentorship, and industry recognition to filmmakers working across the state.

By partnering with AFS on this grant, MPS Studios aims to help filmmakers access the professional equipment needed to tell powerful stories and expand the reach of independent cinema.

Award Guidelines

Recipients of the MPS Camera & Lighting Austin Award must use the package for the selected project and may not transfer or sell the award. Grantees are required to meet MPS Studios’ minimum insurance requirements, and equipment availability is subject to scheduling.

Award recipients must also acknowledge MPS Studios in the film’s credits.

Empowering Filmmakers

For decades, independent filmmakers have relied on community partnerships to help bring their projects to life. Programs like the AFS Grant demonstrate how collaboration between filmmakers, nonprofits, and industry partners can create real opportunities for creative voices.

MPS Studios is honored to support the filmmakers who continue pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

To learn more about the Austin Film Society grant program and current recipients, visit the Austin Film Society website.