AUSTIN, Texas—February 5, 2014— Austin Film Festival (AFF) is pleased to announce the first slate of 2014 year-round event programming. Highlights include:
JASON REITMAN & UP IN THE AIR: LIVE FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 | 7PM
Texas Spirit Theatre at the Bullock Texas State History Museum
Coming off the success of his latest film, LABOR DAY, writer/director Jason Reitman will present a special screening of UP IN THE AIR with live commentary and will be joined by select members from the film crew.
Conversation in Film Series
BLOOD PUNCH
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH | 7PM
Alamo Drafthouse Village
A mysterious “bad girl” checks herself into rehab in hopes to corral someone to partake in her get-rich-quick drug scheme by cooking meth.
In attendance: director Madellaine Paxson, writer Eddie Guzelian
Audience Awards Series AFF 2013 Category: Dark Matters
BUILDING A HOUSE OF CARDS WITH BEAU WILLIMON
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 | 2PM
Harry Ransom Center
Only one week after the highly anticipated Season 2 premiere, Beau Willimon, creator of the Netflix sensation House of Cards, will sit down to discuss this beloved but wicked drama.
Conversation in Film Series
OPERATION: RAVEN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 | 7PM
Galaxy Highland 10
Sheila Raven is a hard-ass detective who won’t rest until the streets are safe. What happens when she goes up against a sadistic criminal mastermind with the whole city in his pocket?
In attendance: Director Jimmie Buchanan Jr, actor Amy McCollough and a majority of the cast
Austin Premieres Series – World Premiere
BOB’S BURGERS AND WRITING FOR TELEVISION: A CONVERSATION WITH JIM DAUTERIVE
SUNDAY, MARCH 2 | 2PM
Harry Ransom Center
A conversation on the various roles of a writer working in television with Jim Dauterive, co-showrunner of Bob’s Burgers. This discussion will be paired with a special behind-the-scenes look at a work in progress for the upcoming season of Bob’s Burgers.
Conversation in Film Series
BESIDE STILL WATERS
MONDAY, MARCH 3 | 7PM
Alamo Drafthouse Village
In this BIG CHILL for Generation Y, a group of childhood friends reunite at the scenic lake house where they all grew up, to comfort each other, rekindle old flames and drunkenly stumble down memory lane.
In attendance: writer/director Chris Lowell, writer Mohit Narang
Audience Awards Series AFF 2013 Category: Narrative Feature
Free ISOLATION/TRIBES Live Reading
TUESDAY, MARCH 4 | 7PM
Clay Pit
Chris Lowell and Mohit Narang, the team behind the 2013 Austin Jury and Audience Winner, BESIDE STILL WATERS, present a live script reading of their sophomore feature, ISOLATION/TRIBES. A teenage boy is arrested for robbing a pharmacy and is sent to a rehab facility in the wilderness where he must recount the events that led to his being arrested if he is to have any hope at a true recovery.
Live script reading – FREE (space available on a first come RSVP basis)
HAIR OF THE DOG BRUNCH
SUNDAY, MARCH 9
Austin Film Festival hosts this annual industry favorite event that combines great Tex-Mex, libations, local and visiting filmmakers and live music.
Open to AFF Members
HOUSTON
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 | 7PM
Galaxy Highland 10
Clemens Trunschka is a corporate headhunter and an alcoholic. On the hunt for a top CEO in Houston, Texas, his addiction takes him on a haunting journey into his own darkness.
Austin Premieres Series
MAKING YOUR SHORT FILM
SUNDAY, MARCH 30 | 2PM
Harry Ransom Center
Kat Candler (HELLION), David Lowery (AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS), and Miguel Alvarez (MNEMOSYNE RISING) will discuss the various elements of pre-production through post, along with how to overcome the hurdles that accompany getting your short film off the page and onto the screen.
Conversation in Film Series
AN EVENING OF AWARD WINNING SHORTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 | 7PM
Alamo Drafthouse Village
A collection of award Jury and Audience winning films from the 2013 Austin Film Festival, two of which went on to be Academy-Award™ nominated shorts.
Films: COOTIE CONTAGION, MIA, A CAUTIONARY TALE, MR. INVISIBLE, PISTACHIO MILK, FOOL’S DAY
Audience Awards Series AFF 2013 Category: Shorts (Narrative, Student, Animated)
FOR SERIOUS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 | 7PM
Galaxy Highland 10
Pete Pierson, a recently unemployed attorney, just started production on his first movie. With help from his flaky best friend, dead beat brother, and a rival director, Pete’s movie can’t miss…. assuming he ever figures out what it’s about.
In attendance: director John Sheehan and members of the cast
Austin Premieres Series – World Premiere
THE GOLDEN SCALLOP
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 | 7PM
Alamo Drafthouse Village
Three fried-fish restaurants’ struggles, passions and eccentricities are documented at the ultimate short order cooking contest, The Golden Scallop Championship. A food truck, a novelty eatery, and old favorite all vie for victory.
Audience Awards Series AFF 2013 Category: Comedy Vanguard
SPEAK NOW
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 | 7PM
Alamo Drafthouse Village
SPEAK NOW is a romantic dramedy about a group of high school friends reuniting for a wedding – one that will challenge the beliefs and change the lives of all in attendance forever. This feature film was shot in three days with all the dialogue improvised by the actors.
Audience Awards Series AFF 2013 Category: Doc Feature
CONVERSATION IN FILM SERIES
Austin Film Festival’s Conversations in Film program was created in 2007 and provides the public with the unique experience to interact with local and visiting screenwriters and filmmakers. Previous participants include Randall Wallace, John Lee Hancock, Polly Platt, Shane Black, Whit Stillman, Larry Wilmore, David Magee, Ted Tally, Brian Helgeland, and others.
Many of our Conversation in Film Series are recorded and produced for the PBS affiliated show, On Story®. “On Story®” is a half-hour TV series that takes a look at the creative process of filmmaking through the eyes of some of the entertainment industry’s most prolific writers, directors and producers. For more information visit: www.onstory.tv
Season 4 Premieres April 19th.
AUDIENCE AWARDS SERIES
Presented by Capital One Bank, the Audience Awards Series revisits some of the most popular films of last year’s festival, as voted by the audiences themselves at screenings. Offering comedy, horror, drama, and a collection of award winning shorts, this year’s selections will match great films with great food in the AlamoDrafthouseVillage.
AUSTIN PREMIERES SERIES
Want to find the next wave of great Austin filmmakers? Check out the new Austin Premieres series where Austin Film Festival will showcase works by locals that have yet to be seen in Austin, many of them World Premieres. From low brow comedy to art house drama, the Austin Premieres series gives audiences and filmmakers a chance to see fresh films on the big screen at the Galaxy Highland 10 Theatre.
MADE IN TEXAS SERIES
The Made In Texas Series focuses on films made in Texas or made by Texans, or both. This year’s program will bring together five distinct visions of the future, some frightening, some hilarious, some mind-altering. Great local guests will lend their thoughts on the films they helped to create in a classic Texas venue, the Texas Spirit theatre at the Bullock Texas History museum.
TICKET INFORMATION
The live script reading of ISOLATION/TRIBES is free with space available on a first-come RSVP basis. For all other events, become an AFF Member to receive discounted screening and conversation tickets. Ticket prices vary per event and can be purchased online at austinfilmfestival.com, over the phone at 512-478-4795 or toll free at 1-800-310-FEST. Tickets can be purchased at the event, space permitting. Call 512-478-4795 for discounted group rates and partnership information.