The best thing a writer can do to become a better writer is to read, watch, listen to and embrace other genres of storytelling, ones that are different from his or her own. Screenwriters who see plays, playwrights who read or listen to fiction, or prose writers who watch movies – you can bet their own stories are elevated to a higher level by taking off the blinders and soaking up other breeds of writing. The Austin Film Festival recognizes that and has expanded its corral to include not only screenwriters and television writers but also playwrights, fiction podcast writers and digital series writers. The Conference and Festival offers participants the perfect environment to open up the creative senses to more forms of storytelling. It will also offer an action-packed arena for networking and crossover events that can lead to exciting new job opportunities.