AFFF Special Guests
Eric Heisner
We are thrilled to welcome filmmaker, writer, and actor Eric Heisner to the Abilene Frontier Film Festival this October!
Eric is an Austin-based filmmaker and member of the Algonquin Cowboys — a group of film industry professionals dedicated to the Western genre. He's a Columbia College Chicago graduate who spent two decades working in Hollywood before returning to Texas to make films on his own terms.
At AFFF this year, Eric will be sharing the story behind his latest feature film Lonesome Are the Wicked — a true Western made the right way — and diving into what it takes to shoot an authentic Western in the modern era, the challenges that come with it, and what the Texas film scene looks like from the inside. He'll also be talking about Gemini Movie Ranch, his rural Texas property that is becoming one of the premier movie locations in Texas film country.
If you love film, the Western genre, or just want to hear from someone who is out there doing it in Texas — you do not want to miss this.
Panel Discussion
Ai in The Directors Chair
This year’s panel discussion, AI in the Director’s Chair, will explore one of the most pressing and controversial topics in the film industry today: the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. As AI tools rapidly evolve, filmmakers and audiences alike are asking—how much should AI be allowed to influence the creative process? Can a film directed entirely by AI hold the same artistic value as one crafted by human vision, or does it risk losing the soul of storytelling? Our panel of filmmakers, technologists, and industry voices will dive into these questions, sparking a conversation about the future of cinema, creativity, and the balance between innovation and human artistry.