Moviemaking Magazine says Austin, Texas is the number one city in the country for filmmakers to work and live. The craft of filmmaking took center stage Friday evening in east Austin at the Salvage Vanguard Theater.  That was the location for the 3rd annual Austin Underground Film Festival.

"The movies are almost just an excuse to get people in here and having a fun time together so it's really just the catalyst for community involvement and all the local businesses get involved," says Andy Gately, local filmmaker and founder of the Austin Underground Film Festival.

The event featured 40 short films, music videos and live bands.  At the end of the night, an anticipated 250 to 300 attendees were expected to vote on the best short film of the festival.

Bryan Poyser with the Austin Film Society says this year there was $100,000 given to filmmakers across Texas, most of them right here in Austin.

Poyser says there are several reasons why Austin has a worldwide reputation as being a great place to make films.  The first he says has to do with two famous Austinites who have both made a name for themselves in Hollywood, Robert Rodriguez and Richard Linklater.

"We have certain companies that keep coming back here because they really enjoy what Austin has to offer in terms of locations and in terms of the talent also actors and stuff like that," says Poyser.

For more information on Austin Underground Film go to: www.AustinUndergroundFilm.com