One of the most popular events in the film industry is underway in Austin. The 13th Annual Austin Film Festival takes center stage in theaters around town over the next eight days.

Screenwriters, filmmakers and fans of motion pictures will get to take part in a number of events at the festival, including parties, screenings, and conferences.

But it's the aspiring filmmakers that enjoy the event the most -- showing off their work in Austin for the first time.

"We've been coming here for years, even before we had a film here. So it's a real honor to have our film, Chalk, our first full length feature, in competition, in our home town," said Mike Akel, co-writer/director of Chalk.

The festival does not just include film screenings. Attendees have the opportunity to attend a number of workshops and talks with other filmmakers.

On Saturday, director/producer Sydney Pollack will be presented with an award for Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking at the festival's awards luncheon.

Pollack, who is a director, producer and actor, has had 19 of his films nominated for Academy Awards. Out of Africa (1985) took home seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for Pollack.

Pollack's other films include Tootsie and The Way We Were. His production company, Mirage, has produced The Fabulous Baker Boys , Searching for Bobby Fischer, and Cold Mountain, among others.

Filmmakers will be able to hear from Pollack during a Saturday afternoon session at the Driskill Hotel.

The Austin Film Festival runs through October 26.