WELCOME TO THE ACTION!!!!
Welcome to the Austin Action Fest, a film festival, Film Market, live action event and video game tournament all jammed into one! General Action, Kung Fu Flicks, Shooters, Thrillers and Horror Films are all welcome. As long as there is either kickin, stabbin, chasin, shootin, or jabbin, we don’t discriminate! Submit! If you are purchasing tickets, BEWARE that these films are unrated and some of the titles may be rated R. We are an officially listed IMDB Event so winning in one of our categories will be visible there as well.
We ACTIVELY work to put these projects in front of audiences but even more importantly, right in front of DISTRIBUTORS, SALES AGENTS and FINANCIERS. We attend events like the American Film Market and SXSW to directly contact and invite film professionals to our event for you! Our motto is #WhoYouFeedin? So we try to exemplify that in our approach to getting our filmmakers seen and most importantly, paid. We allow industry professionals to peruse catalogs from previous years to ensure your submission has the longest possible shelf life with us!
Join us for Austin Action Fest & Market 2025 August 14th, 15th and 16th
For A Unique Physical and Virtual Experience!
Here are a few of our physical and virtual industry guests from previous fests.We are constantly looking to bring you more opportunities so let us know if a distributor or sales agent you trust would like to attend!
Friday – We kick things off opening night at The Galaxy Theatre Austin, at 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752 with an action performance! Then everybody hits the Red Carpet. We’ll even provide props! We have our opening night screenings and then let loose at the after party/mingling event around the corner from the theatre at Zero Latency VR Gaming and Axe Escape Austin, at 6406 N. Interstate Hwy 35 Ste. 2760 Austin, Tx 78752
Saturday 8/15/25 – Saturday is full of film screenings, networking and educational panels. The screenings and trainings will be held at The Galaxy Theatre, Austin. We will end the night with another networking party event. After the films wrap prepare for another networking mixer event!
Sunday 8/16/2025 – Do not miss the Texas Stunt Intensive. There will be special perks given to those who attend this first event! Join us at the Jungle Movement Academy at 2701 Gattis School Rd #100C, Round Rock, TX 78664 for a day Full Of Action. The event begins at 9:00AM and ends at 10PM. Get action film ready with classes covering Stage Combat, Weapons Training, Basic Wrecks/Falls, Parkour, Tricking, Wire Training, High Falls, Tae-Kwon Do, Kali, Ving Tsun, Jiu-Jitsu, Pistol and Rifle Manipulation and more. Do not wait to get your ticket and take advantage of the discounts. There is also a ticket to audit the stunt intensive, scout talent and network if you don’t want to train. As a bonus, ANYone who has a ticket to the film screenings or stunt trainings may participate in the open casting call happening in the Jungle Academy from 12pm-2pm free of charge. See photos from the 2025 Intensive here!
Meet our Instructors for 2026!
(Specific teachers and classes are subject to change)
Janell Vela Smith - Master of Tukong Moosul, Award Winning Producer/CEO at Iron Dragon TV IDTVFLIX.COM
Janell Vela Smith is a renowned martial artist, stunt coordinator, and film industry veteran whose passion for action was sparked by childhood Saturdays glued to classic kung fu cinema and live wrestling matches with her dad. An athletic prodigy from age 4 in gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance, she later pursued serious training as an adult, earning her 1st Dan in Taekwondo and 3rd Dan in Tukong Moosul under the guidance of revered Korean monk Wonik Yi at Dae Yeon Sa Temple. Her expertise drew Hollywood attention, including director Robert Rodriguez, who selected her academy for authentic martial arts training on Sin City. Janell co-founded Austin's Fighting Stunts Association, where she trained actors and martial artists for film combat, produced shorts and features, and developed "The Next Dragon"—a platform to launch the next generation of action talent. With a career bridging traditional arts and cinematic stunts, her classes deliver insider techniques for safe, high-impact performance from a true industry powerhouse.
Grandmaster Ming Sam - Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) Grandmaster / Student of Grandmaster Moy Yat
Grandmaster Samuel Harris is an indoor student of the legendary Great Grandmaster Moy Yat of the Ip Man lineage. Together with his indoor students, Sifus Steven and Aly Nativi of Ming House Ving Tsun, they help preserve kung fu life for future generations. Grandmaster Ming Sam (Samuel Harris) is a senior indoor disciple of the late Grandmaster Moy Yat, who was himself a direct student of legendary Wing Chun master Ip Man—the same teacher who famously trained Bruce Lee in his youth.Ming Sam began his training under Moy Yat in New York City's Chinatown in October 1992, immersing himself for eight years, including extensive private instruction. He was formally accepted as an indoor student via the traditional bai-sze ceremony in February 1996, when Moy Yat personally gave him the Chinese name Ming Sam.Inspired by Moy Yat's philosophy of "Kung Fu Life"—integrating Ving Tsun principles into daily existence—he relocated to Maryland and founded Ming Sam Ving Tsun Kung Fu around 2000 to preserve and teach the authentic Moy Yat system.Today, as one of Grandmaster Moy Yat’s last active teaching disciples, he maintains close ties with the Moy family, earns respect from figures like Grandmaster Ip Ching (Ip Man's son), and continues passing the lineage to his students and family—carrying forward a tradition rooted in the same Ip Man lineage that influenced Bruce Lee's early martial arts foundation. 24 web pages
Paul Purvis - Stunt Coordinator/ Premiere Martial Arts Instructor
Paul Purvis is a dynamic Austin, Texas-based martial artist, actor, stunt actor, filmmaker, and certified instructor whose multifaceted career bridges real-world combat training with high-energy film action. As a Krav Maga specialist at Premier Martial Arts International, he brings practical, street-ready self-defense expertise alongside his work as a stunt performer and producer on projects like Payback: Movie 2024, Payback (2019), and Dr. Virginia's Island Paradise (2023). With a background that includes acting, stunt work, personal training, and EMT skills, Paul excels in choreographing intense fight scenes, safe stunt execution, and empowering performers to handle their own action sequences. His classes offer hands-on training in martial arts techniques, stunt fundamentals, and cinematic combat from an industry insider who's performed and produced in the field—perfect for aspiring actors, stunt enthusiasts, or anyone seeking elite-level conditioning and skills.
Cotie Domm - Military Tactics / Troop Movement and Room Clearing / Gun Manipulation /Jiu Jitsu
Cotie Domm is a versatile Austin-based actor and stunt performer with credits in projects like Esperanza, The Long Road Home, and The Great Escape, as well as appearances in films such as Lazer Team 2. A dedicated martial artist and coach at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Georgetown, where he teaches No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mentors young students, Cotie combines his on-screen experience with real-world military combat training and grappling expertise to deliver practical, high-intensity training in fight choreography, self-defense, and safe stunt techniques.
Mark Cabrera - MMA Fighter / Stunt Coordinator / Martial Arts Instructor
Mark Cabrera is a talented Austin, Texas-based actor and stunt performer whose hands-on experience in independent film and action projects makes him a key asset in stunt training. With credits including starring and stunt roles in Isolation, Predecessor of Phantoms, Hierarchy (2025), Evinced (as Detective and Futuristic Soldier), The Honey Trapper (2019), The Slaughter Creek Slasher of the Dead (2024), and Lullaby (2025), Mark brings authentic on-set expertise in fight choreography, physical performance, and safe stunt execution to his classes. Active in the vibrant Texas indie film scene, he excels at blending acting intensity with practical stunt techniques like combat, falls, and high-energy sequences—skills honed through real productions that demand precision, timing, and resilience. As part of the instructor team, Mark delivers insider knowledge from the front lines of filmmaking, empowering students (whether aspiring stunt performers, actors, or action enthusiasts) to master cinematic combat and professional-level movement with confidence and safety.
Matt Poitras - MP FilmCraft / Producer / Armorer / WWII Weapons Specialist
Matt Poitras is an accomplished Austin, Texas-based filmmaker, prop master, armorer, costume designer, and stunt contributor whose deep roots in the independent film scene make him an invaluable instructor for stunt training. As the sole owner and operator of MP Filmcraft, with over 25 years of expertise in crafting historically accurate leather armor, weapons, props, and costumes for film, TV, theater, and collectors—focusing on history, military, Sci-Fi, horror, and action—Matt has supplied and created gear for numerous productions. His hands-on film experience includes directing, editing, and cinematography on projects like the action parody No Chance (2020), WWII Sci-Fi pilot Desert Terror (2021), and Total Rewind (2023), as well as serving as prop master and armorer on features such as Blood Behind Us (starring Michael Madsen). He has also performed stunts in titles like What Did You Do?, bringing practical knowledge of on-set safety, weapon handling, combat props, and physical performance to his teaching. In his classes, Matt shares insider techniques for integrating authentic props into fight choreography, safe weapons work, costume-enhanced movement, and cinematic action from a true multi-hyphenate veteran who's built, directed, and performed in the Texas indie film world—perfect for actors, stunt performers, or enthusiasts looking to elevate their skills with real production-ready insight.
Cody Freelen - Stuntman / Collegiate Fencing Instructor / Lightsaber Combat Trianer
Cody Freelen is a dynamic Austin-based stunt performer and martial artist with a strong foundation in collegiate fencing, blending classical swordsmanship with innovative lightsaber choreography for film and stage. Drawing from his competitive fencing background, Cody has mastered precision footwork, blade control, and strategic combat, which he seamlessly adapts to high-energy stunt work. His expertise extends to lightsaber training, where he excels in styles like Makashi (Form II from Star Wars lore), teaching fluid, elegant dueling techniques that mimic cinematic battles while emphasizing safety and realism. As an instructor, Cody has contributed to workshops on wires, falls, trampolines, and specialized fight scenes, empowering aspiring actors and performers to execute thrilling action sequences. Whether drawing from traditional fencing or sci-fi-inspired saber arts, Cody's classes deliver hands-on skills for safe, film-ready stunts from a versatile pro who's bridging athletic prowess with Hollywood flair.
Stay tuned for updates
Stay tuned for updates
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