By Liz Lopez
This year, three of Austin’s most anticipated events will coincide on Saturday, October 27. Austin Film Festival (AFF), Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva la Vida Festival and Parade and the Texas Book Festival will be teaming up to offer a full day of culture and activities in the heart of downtown Austin.
We Austinites are fortunate to have so many opportunities to experience arts and culture first-hand,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “We have three of Austin’s most iconic events taking place on Saturday, October 27—Austin Film Festival, Mexic-Arte Museum’s Vida la Vida Festival and Parade, and the Texas Book Festival. These venerable organizations—hosting annual events that have helped shape this city as a Festival town—are working closely together to maximize the day’s cultural impact for our citizens. It’s a Saturday downtown you won’t want to miss!”
Live music, children’s art activities, retail booths and food will be available along Congress Avenue from 4th Street to the Capital. The three organizations will also be teaming up to a host a free public screening of Disney•Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature Coco at 4:00 pm at the Paramount Theatre, which will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s co-writer Matthew Aldrich. At 2pm, Texas Book Festival and Mexic-Arte Museum will present author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson, Newbery Medal winners of Last Stop On Market Street, for a reading and signing of their new picture book, Carmela Full of Wishes, at the Festival’s Education Pavilion (at the Frost Bank Tower patio on 4th and Congress).
Capital Metro and the Austin Public Library invite you to park for free at six (6) different branch library locations and ride for free with a Transit Day Pass — so you can spend more time at the festivals and less time circling downtown for parking.
Check-In | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Go to the front desk of any of the participating branch libraries (below) between 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM to get a free Capital Metro Day Pass and a Travel Guide, so you can get to and from downtown with ease.
Recycled Reads | 5335 Burnet Road | Routes 3, 803
Pleasant Hill | 211 East William Cannon Drive | Routes 1, 801
Little Walnut Creek | 835 West Rundberg Lane | Routes 1, 801
Ruiz | 1600 Grove Boulevard | Route 20
Carver | 1161 Angelina Street | Routes 2, 6
Southeast | 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd | Route 7
Catch Capital Metro | All locations are served by high-frequency transit lines — arriving every 15 minutes or faster — that will drop you within blocks of the festivities (by Republic Square Park or the Austin History Center ). New to transit? No worries! Capital Metro will provide you with a Travel Guide to help you get to and from the events. Use the CapMetro App to help plan your trip when you head towards Republic Square to catch a ride back.
The 25th annual Austin Film Festival will take place October 25 – November 1, Mexic-Arte Museum Viva la Vida Festival and Parade on October 27, and the Texas Book Festival (TBF) runs October 27 – 28.
About Austin Film Festival
Austin Film Festival is an annual film festival and writers conference dedicated to furthering the art and craft of storytelling. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this October, AFF transforms the city into a haven for writers and creators, playing host to over 200 panelists including 2018 honorees Roger Corman, Tony Gilroy, Daniel Petrie, Jr., and Larry Wilmore. Accompanying the Conference is a slate of more than 175 films set to screen during the eight day Festival along a slew of networking parties and events for film fans, creators, and industry professionals alike.
About Mexic-Arte’s Viva La Vida Festival and Parade
Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva La Vida Festival and Parade is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Entering its 35th year, the annual celebration includes a Grand Procession, the Education Pavilion—with hands-on art activities and artist demos—as well as lively festivities featuring traditional foods, local artist and retail booths, a low-rider exhibition, live music, and performances throughout the day.
About Texas Book Festival
More than 270 writers, including chefs, photographers, activists, and more, make up the exciting 2018 TBF lineup. One of the nation’s premier literary events and longest-running book festivals, the Festival continues to be free and open to the public thanks to its generous and dedicated sponsors and volunteers. The Festival brings together more than 50,000 attendees, live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, book signings, sales, and 100 exhibitors in and around the State Capitol over two full days.
Sources: Austin Film Festival, Mexic – Arte Museum, Texas Book Festival, Capital Metro