Due to familial obligations and other responsibilities, my coverage of this year’s film festival was limited. I did make it a point to watch this intriguing documentary, which reveals a relationship between a charming but lonely man and the combination of a love doll/artificial intelligence. Though the idea sounds disturbing and unnerving, I was nevertheless… Continue reading AFF 2024 Review: *smiles and kisses you* Delivers A Stranger Than Fiction Portrait
Category: Festivals
AFF Movie Review: American Spirit – University Students Face Relationship Choices and Decisions
American Spirit, a film based and filmed in Austin, World Premiered at the Austin Film Festival in October. This movie is the feature directorial debut from Christopher Yates. It explores questions of identity and evolving iterations of self and timely conversations around the transition from youth into adulthood. Yates is the writer/director for American Spirit,… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: American Spirit – University Students Face Relationship Choices and Decisions
AFF Awards Winner News: Champions of the Golden Valley Wins Audience Award – Documentary Feature
Following a successful World Premiere at the Tribeca International Film Festival this year, the multiple award-winning documentary Champions of the Golden Valley recently arrived at the Austin Film Festival for the Texas Premiere. On the way to Austin, the documentary won Heartland’s Overall Audience Choice Award. At the Austin Film Festival, Champions of the Golden… Continue reading AFF Awards Winner News: Champions of the Golden Valley Wins Audience Award – Documentary Feature
AFF 2024: Time Travel is Dangerous
‘Time Travel Is Dangerous!’ is a delightful yet imperfect British sci-fi comedy that mixes absurdity with a generous dose of nostalgia. Directed by Chris Reading and co-written by sisters Anna-Elizabeth and Hillary Shakespeare, the film follows real-life best friends Ruth (Ruth Syratt) and Megan (Megan Stevenson) as they run a vintage bric-a-brac shop in Muswell… Continue reading AFF 2024: Time Travel is Dangerous
Austin Film Festival 2024: To Kill a Wolf – a haunting exploration of human frailty
‘To Kill a Wolf’, directed by James Remington, is a haunting exploration of human frailty, resilience, and unexpected companionship set against the brooding landscape of the Oregon wilderness. This introspective drama follows two fractured souls—a reclusive woodsman (Ivan Martin) and a teenage runaway, Dani (Maddison Brown)— brought together by fate and necessity. It’s a story… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: To Kill a Wolf – a haunting exploration of human frailty
AFF Movie Review: To Kill a Wolf – Hunting and the Hunted, A Film Not to Miss
To Kill a Wolf has been in several film festivals since August of last year, starting in the UK, then the US, and now arriving at the 2024 Austin Film Festival. It is a terrific film with a great story and performances that is perfect for the “writer’s festival” as it is known. Written and… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: To Kill a Wolf – Hunting and the Hunted, A Film Not to Miss
AFF Movie Review: Silent Notes – World Premiere of Crime Thriller Stars CODA’s Daniel Durant
Daniel Durant starred in the Oscar-winning film CODA as Leo Rossi, a teenager whose sister is the only hearing member of the family. The film featured international filmmaker Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included) as the music teacher. CODA (2021) won three Academy Awards, and audiences everywhere learned of this great cast. Now, Durant stars in… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: Silent Notes – World Premiere of Crime Thriller Stars CODA’s Daniel Durant
Austin Film Festival 2024: Color Book- a tale of love and loss
‘Color Book,’ directed by David Fortune, is a poignant exploration of love, resilience, and community through the bond between a father and son. The story follows Lucky, a recently widowed father played with remarkable depth by William Catlett, as he embarks on a journey with his son Mason, portrayed with authenticity by Jeremiah Alexander Daniels,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Color Book- a tale of love and loss
Austin Film Festival 2024: Black Dog -a slowburn Western-esque man and his dog tale
In ‘Black Dog’, director Guan Hu brings his lens to the edges of the Gobi Desert, capturing a dusty, desolate town in northwestern China where modernity and isolation clash with striking visual detail. The story follows Lang (Eddie Peng), an ex-con returning to his hometown after serving time for an alleged murder. Lang’s homecoming isn’t… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: Black Dog -a slowburn Western-esque man and his dog tale
AFF Movie Review: Artifact War – Eye-Opening Documentary Uncovering Another Art Theft
By now, people may have viewed feature films such as Monuments Men and Woman in Gold (2014) about stolen artworks in Europe. These films were shown in theaters and are likely available for streaming. These films were about art theft during WW II, and now a documentary film about a more current theft has been… Continue reading AFF Movie Review: Artifact War – Eye-Opening Documentary Uncovering Another Art Theft