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 8/14/26 – Do not miss the Basic Texas Stunt Intensive! 9am – 3pm. Get into the swing of things with the basics of falls, stage combat, wires, bladed weapons and firearms. This is a great primer for the Advanced Stunt Intensive happening on Sunday and is included in the advanced ticket.
Then we kick things off opening night at The Galaxy Theatre Austin, 5pm – 11pm, at 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752 with an action performance at 5pm! Then everybody hits the Red Carpet! We’ll even provide props! We have the World Premiere of Jonah Weddle’s “Predecessor of Phantoms as well as a special screening of “Son of the Soil” by Chee Keong Cheung.
Later we 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 8/15/26 – Saturday is full of film screenings, networking and educational panels, 10am – 11pm. The screenings and discussions will be held at The Galaxy Theatre, Austin. We will end the night with another networking party event. Location TBD. After the films wrap prepare for another networking mixer event!
Sunday 8/16/2026 – Do not miss the Advanced 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. Take your stunt training to the next level with Advanced Combat Choreography, Weapons Training, Combo Wrecks/Falls, Parkour, Wire Training, High Falls, Tae-Kwon Do, Kali, Advanced Pistol and Rifle Manipulation and more. Do not wait to get your ticket! 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)
Da'Mon Stith - Ex President, Historical African Martial Arts Association
Da'Mon Stith is a renowned martial artist, instructor, researcher, and pioneer in the revival of Historical African Martial Arts (HAMA). As the founder and former President of the Historical African Martial Arts Association (HAMAA), he has dedicated years to studying, reconstructing, and teaching combat systems rooted in ancient and medieval African traditions, as well as those of the African Diaspora.
With expertise spanning unarmed techniques, traditional weaponry—including the Ethiopian shotel (sickle sword), spears, shields, machete fighting, stickfighting, and more—Da'Mon blends historical research, practical training methods inspired by HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) principles, and cultural preservation. He is also the Chief Instructor at Austin Warrior Arts and associated with the Guild of the Silent Sword, where he offers classes, workshops, and demonstrations that emphasize fluid footwork, rhythmic timing, strategic displacement, and warrior heritage.
Da'Mon will be instructing on movement and combat with sword in conjunction with shield. These will be more complex techniques and bridge different combat systems uses of both. We highly recommend having refreshed your weapons training before attending this class.
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.
Cotie will be instructing on:
Room Clearing
Systematic entry and clearance techniques for confined spaces, emphasizing team coordination and threat assessment.
Team Tactics
Small-unit movement, communication protocols, and coordinated response procedures for dynamic environments.
Movement Coordination
Efficient movement under stress — transitions, positioning, and spatial awareness in tactical contexts.
Weapon Manipulation
Safe, disciplined handling and manipulation drills focused on efficiency, consistency, and operational readiness.
Situational Awareness
Developing the ability to read environments, assess threats, and make decisions under time pressure.
Scenario-Based Drills
Practical exercises that simulate real-world conditions, building experience and confidence through repetition.
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.
Paul will be instructing advanced choreography for camera. This will focus on working with angles, a camera operator and ensuring that the combat "sells". There will be a camera and monitor for immediate feedback.
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.
Mark will provide instruction on a variety of styles and techniques frequently used in mma fighting so that the students can create more effective and real world based sequences. This includes Boxing, Muay Thai, Judo, CQC and more.
Lindsay Walker - Capoeira Practitioner / Stunt Woman
Lindsay Walker is a professional stunt performer, aerialist, and movement specialist with extensive training in parkour, acrobatics, Capoeira, and performance-based movement disciplines. Known for combining athletic precision with creative expression, she has dedicated years to mastering the physical skills that bring action and adventure to life on screen and on stage. Today, she shares her expertise in dynamic movement, aerial performance, and body mechanics, helping performers develop the confidence, control, and versatility demanded by modern action productions.
Lindsay will be teaching a variety of acrobatic and exotic combat techniques to add diversity to your choreography. She will specificlly focus on styles from the African diaspora.
Lexter Santana - Born Fighting / Stunt Man / Actor / Producer
Lexter Santana is a seasoned stunt performer and actor whose credits include major productions such as Fear the Walking Dead, Snowfall, Swagger, Runaways, and Alita: Battle Angel. Known for his expertise in wire work, fight choreography, falls, and high-impact action performance, Lexter has spent years bringing Hollywood-level stunts to screens both large and small. Today, he's sharing the techniques, safety principles, and professional secrets behind dynamic wire-assisted action sequences in this hands-on workshop.
Learn from a performer who's not just taught the action—he's lived it.
Lexter will be providing intermediate and advanced wirework instruction, utilizing wires in conjunction with other combat related movements to create more realistic sequences.
Hector Gonzales - Kali/Filipino Boxing/Stunt Coordinator/
Hector Gonzales is a seasoned stunt coordinator and fight choreographer based in Austin, Texas, with over 20 years of experience in film, television, and live action productions. As a key figure at Faux Fighting, Hector brings his expertise as an award-winning filmmaker and producer. He has worked on several high-profile projects with Rooster Teeth Productions, multiple independent features, and countless student shorts at The University of Texas at Austin. He has also lectured at institutions like UT-Austin, The University of Pittsburgh, and Austin Community College having created a course for student filmmakers to understand the aesthetics and demands of action filmmaking.
His dynamic background in stunt coordination and fight choreography has made him a trusted name in training SAG-AFTRA professionals, aspiring actors, and filmmakers in the art of on-camera combat, delivering safe yet thrilling performances.At Faux Fighting, Hector draws on his almost 20 years of training in Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Filipino Boxing, Kickboxing, Vale Tudo & more to offer specialized stunt training that combines technical precision with creative storytelling, tailored to elevate performers and filmmakers alike. His classes, rooted in his extensive experience managing high-pressure sets and choreographing complex action sequences, empower students to master fight performance techniques while fostering a collaborative environment for networking and growth. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, Hector’s hands-on approach and industry insights will equip you with the skills to shine in the world of action-packed productions.
Find out more about Hector -
www.linkedin.com/in/hector-gonzales-m-a-2529175
Hector will be teaching advanced Kali and Filipino Boxing combination movements and concepts. There will be a heavy emphasis on efficacy and real world application as well as for film.
Cody Freelen - Stuntman / Collegiate Fencing Instructor / Lightsaber Combat Trainer
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.
Cody Freelen will be teaching advanced light saber combat with dynamic movement and some fencing concepts as well. This class will involved high level techniques and combinations, hand to hand, jumps, dodges, feints and of course the force and include footage for reels.
Jeff Colangelo - Stunt Coordinator/Producer
Jeff Colangelo is a director, producer and stuntman who has performed on Equalizer, Saturday Night Live, Matchbox, and Mayor of Kingstown. Working with such talents as Chuck Liddell, Jason Kelce, Queen Latifah and Beau Allen. He recently won the 87N Action Design Competition with his team Code 10-10 Productions.
As a director and producer he has worked on short films and commercials with Code 10-10 Productions. He has also worked in live entertainment as a director for the Goodman Theater, Lone Star Circus, and Dallas Theater Center. He’s also the director and writer of the critically acclaimed Lucha Teotl which will premiere off Broadway in 2026.
Jeff will be teaching:
House of Flying Daggers - Combines Filipino martial arts and real world combatives to create fast and furious knife fights. If you can pick up choreography quickly come test your mettle.
Fists of Fury - This will focus on boxing combos and mitt work. All skill levels welcome and all will be challenged accordingly.
Teo Naranjo - Tae Kwon Do Instructor
Teo is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Head Instructor at Master Yang’s World Class Taekwondo in Cedar Park, Texas. A decorated martial artist, he has competed and performed at a high level, including:
2018 Taekwondo Festival Champion (Demonstration Team)
2022 Dallas Open International Champion (Demonstration Team)
2024 KNSU President’s Cup Taekwondo Championships – 1st Place in Sparring
He has spent years refining not only his technical precision but also his ability to adapt real-world martial arts into dynamic, visually compelling action for film and live performance.
Outside of on-screen work, Teo regularly travels with his demonstration team, performing at events and exhibitions across the country.
Teo will be instructing on advanced level kicks and combinations with an emphasis on speed and form.
Matt Poitras - MP FilmCraft / Producer / Armorer / WWII Weapons Specialist
Matt Poitras is an accomplished Austin, Texas-based filmmaker, prop master, armorer, costume designer with deep roots in Texas. 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).
Matt will be showcasing an armor display from the bronze age through the 11th century and discussing these pieces.
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