Update from the AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL
So we've been rather quiet from the festival. And here's why!
On Wednesday I arrived in the afternoon and attended the Austin Film and Food party to rub elbows with the filmmakers and writers at the festival. There was tons of free food and beer supplied, so I was up late. Thursday I hopped in my little car2go - which is really a great service and we're very proud to have them as a sponsor for Ultraween - and adventured around Austin. I found my way into the opening night screenings of THE HUMBLING, starring Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig, and then saw Richard LaGravenese's THE LAST FIVE YEARS. I enjoyed both films with the former playing along similar lines as BIRDMAN, and the latter as an adventure in music. The movie, sung from beginning to end, is based on the musical written by Jason Robert Brown featuring the talent of Anna Kendrick (PITCH PERFECT) and Jeremy Jordan.
On Friday I went to see an episode of MAD MEN presented by its showrunner and creator Matthew Weiner. Then I went to see 21 YEARS RICHARD LINKLATER, a love-letter to the much beloved Austin filmmaker of such greats as DAZED AND CONFUSED, BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET, and many others including his most recent BOYHOOD - which was fantastic. Then came Saturday which was filled with wonderful panels, interviews with the crew from DAWN PATROL, including director Daniel Petrie Jr., writers Rachel Long and Brian Pittman, and actor Jeff Fahey and then the premiere of their movie that night. (Stay tuned for more about DAWN PATROL coming later this week!)
And since then have seen WILD, 7 MINUTES, 61 BULLETS, THE LAST TIME YOU HAD FUN, LOOKING FOR LIONS, THE HOMESMAN, PHANTOM HALO, TAKING IT BACK, some great shorts including THIS IS NORMAL, A DAY IN EDEN, and ENTRAIN, and finally tonight THE IMITATION GAME. It's been a whirlwind and my brain might be melting. But it's been amazing to be here with the filmmakers and writers.
Stay tuned - but don't hold your breath - for more stuff heading your way including reviews and my conversations with the crew from 7 MINUTES and director of TAKING IT BACK.
Austin Film Festival 2014 Slate Announced
Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference announced their slate for 2014 to take place October 23-30.
The festival was founded in 1993 and was the first of its kind to focus on the contribution of writers in filmmaking. It initially started as a conference for screenwriters, providing a place for professionals and screenwriting hopefuls to network and work on their craft. Since then it has grown to incorporate a film festival, which this year plays host to 15 World Premiers with films from 20 countries. Past participants include Wes Anderson, the Coen brothers, Russell Crowe, Bryan Singer, Oliver Stone, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and many, many others.
This year’s conference and festival hosts writers from last years big movies (Guardians of the Galaxy, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, Dallas Buyers Club) and will feature television creators, writers, and producers from shows such as Mad Men, True Detective, Breaking Bad, Fargo, Justified, and Orange is the New Black. In attendance this year: True Detective director Cary Fukunaga, closing night presenters Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari, writer/director Jay Duplass, Rita Wilson, Scott Eastwood, Jason Ritter, Alex Anfanger, Glenn Morshower, and others.
If you’ve taken a look at our Fall Preview you’ll recognize two films - Wild and The Imitation Game. We’ll have updates, reviews, and recommendations on those two films and also others including AFF’s marquee selections Escobar: Paradise Lost, The Sound and the Fury, The Homesman, Black and White, Big Hero 6, Red Army, 21 Years: Richard Linklater, and Dawn Patrol which is based on a script out of the Screenplay Competition.
For further info and cool happenings around the festival check out onstory.tv and austinfilmfestival.com
You can find the full schedule of films and conference events here.
We’re very excited to head down to Austin this year and cover the festival for all of you!