Article and Pictures by Mark Saldana
While the South by Southwest Film Festival doesn’t officially kick-off until today, March 8, the signature event which has always begun the fest is the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards, hosted by the Austin Film Society, honoring Texans who have had successful careers in acting and filmmaking.
This year’s inductees included the cult classic Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused, in time for its 20th anniversary. Director Linklater, and stars Joey Lauren Adams, Anthony Rapp, Marissa Ribisi, Michelle Burke-Thomas, and Wiley Wiggins attended to celebrate. Also attending were inductees Annette O’Toole, her husband and award presenter Michael McKean, Stephen Tobolowsky, his presenter Julie Hagerty, Henry Thomas of E.T. fame, actress Robin Wright and her award presenter Rob Reiner, who directed Wright in The Princess Bride. Director Quentin Tarantino attended the event to present the Star of Texas Award to Dazed and Confused. Unfortunately, for the press working the Red Carpet, the director shied away from us.
Other guests included Austin based director Robert Rodriguez, producer Elizabeth Avellan, musician/composer Graham Reynolds, Austin musician Ray Benson, and many other familiar faces of Austin arts and entertainment. The event was emceed by the lovely actress Dana Wheeler-Nicholson. An Austin Film Studios hangar was converted into a beautiful lounge for guests and stars to mix it up until the show began. It certainly was an awesome mix of glamour and glitz, but with that casual, down-home Austin feel. With this event concluded, the 2013 SXSW Film Fest can officially begin.
Dana Wheeler-Nicholson Michael McKean & Annette O’Toole
Joey Lauren Adams
Henry Thomas
Marissa Ribisi, Anthony Robert Rodriguez
Rapp, & Michelle Burke-Thomas
Rob Reiner