AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
2011 FILM COMPETITION WINNERS
AUSTIN, Texas – October 23, 2011 – The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is pleased to announce its 2011 Film Competition winners. Each year, the Austin Film Festival holds film competitions in seven categories: Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Narrative Student Short, Animated Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, and Young Filmmakers Competition.
Winners received cash prizes up to $1,000, reimbursements for travel and lodging while at the festival and access to and recognition by some of the most important writers, agents, producers and filmmakers in the industry. All awards were presented to the writers of the winning films on October 22, 2011 during the Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon. The following winners were selected by category:
2011 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL FILM COMPETITION JURY WINNERS
Narrative Feature: Harold’s Going Stiff, written by Keith Wright
Documentary Feature: Darwin, directed by Nick Brandestini
Documentary Feature Special Jury Mention: Goold’s Gold, directed by Tucker Capps and Ryan Sevy
Narrative Short: Salar, written by Nicholas Greene
Narrative Student Short: Little Horses, written by Levi Abrino and Luke Matheny
Animated Short: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, written by William Joyce
Animated Short Special Jury Mention: Who Lasts Longer, written by Gregorio Muro
Documentary Short: Abuelas, directed by Afarin Eghbal
Documentary Short Special Jury Mention: Day at the Pool, directed by Eric Fulford and Ian Douglass
Young Filmmakers Competition: Behind the Sun, written by Konstantinos Chaliasas
The Festival is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the winning film in the Animated Short and Narrative Short categories are eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award.
To learn more, vist www.austinfilmfestival.com.
About Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.
The Austin Film Festival is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Special support is provided to the Austin Film Festival by Dos Equis, KVUE, KUT 90.5 FM, United/Continental Airlines, Esurance, and Wells Fargo Advisors.
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Friday, November 4, 2011
AFF 2011 AUDIENCE AWARDS
AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
THE 2011 AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS
Presented by Esurance
ALSO: AFF ANNOUNCES DATES FOR NEXT YEAR'S FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE: OCTOBER 18-25, 2012
AUSTIN, TEXAS (November 4, 2011) The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is proud to announce the 2011 Audience Award winners. Throughout the week of the Festival and Conference (Oct. 20-27) audience members were invited to numerically rate films by ballot following each films screening. The winners are as follows:
Out of Competition Feature:
THE ARTIST
Writer/Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Narrative Feature Competition:
RESTIVE
Writer/Director: Jeremiah Jones
Documentary Feature Competition: (Tie)
ECSTASY OF ORDER: THE TETRIS MASTERS
Director: Adam Cornelius
STORIES FROM AN UNDECLARED WAR
Director: Dennis Rice
Texas Independents:
SIRONIA
Writers: Brandon Dickerson, Thomas Ward, Wes Cunningham
Director: Brandon Dickerson
Comedy Vanguard:
FRED & VINNIE
Writer: Fred Stoller
Director: Steve Skrovan
Narrative Short:
MWANSA THE GREAT
Writers: Rungano Nyoni, Gabriel Gauchet
Director: Rungano Nyoni
Narrative Student Short:
BENNY
Writers: Evan Ho, Huay Bing-Law
Director: Huay Bing-Law
Animated Short:
THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE
Writer: William Joyce
Directors: William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg
Documentary Short:
ELLIOTT ERWITT: I BARK AT DOGS
Director: Douglas Sloan
The 2011 Film Competition and Screenplay/Teleplay winners have already been announced, and are available at http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/film_competition_winners_2011 and http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/screenplay_and_teleplay_winners_2011.
Last year's Audience Awards included Exporting Raymond, Dig, Make Believe, among others. The 2009 Out of Competition Audience Award Winner was Jason Reitman's Up in the Air, which was nominated for several Academy Awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director."2008 AFF Audience Award winner, Slumdog Millionaire, presented by director Danny Boyle, went on to win 8 Oscars®, including "Best Picture", "Best Director" and "Best Screenplay."
"There truly is no greater reward for a filmmaker than an Audience Award, which confirms their ability to tell a good story. Every filmmaker is a storyteller at heart, and you can't receive better validation than the approval of your audience," say AFF Film Programmers Stephen Jannise and Stephen Belyeu.
This year's Audience Award was sponsored by Esurance, the direct-to-consumer car insurance company. Esurance has been a longtime supporter of filmmakers and artists who help bring compelling stories to life.
The AFF has announced its dates for the 19th Annual Austin Film Festival and Conference, October 18-25, 2012. For information or to purchase a Badge, please call 1-800-310-FEST (3378) or visit the website at www.austinfilmfestival.com.
About Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.
The Austin Film Festival is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Special support is provided to the Austin Film Festival by Dos Equis, KVUE, KUT 90.5 FM, United/Continental Airlines, Esurance, and Wells Fargo Advisors.
About Esurance
Esurance, an Allstate company, provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select agents, including sister company Answer Financial. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices. For more information, visit www.esurance.com and www.answerfinancial.com.
THE 2011 AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS
Presented by Esurance
ALSO: AFF ANNOUNCES DATES FOR NEXT YEAR'S FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE: OCTOBER 18-25, 2012
AUSTIN, TEXAS (November 4, 2011) The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is proud to announce the 2011 Audience Award winners. Throughout the week of the Festival and Conference (Oct. 20-27) audience members were invited to numerically rate films by ballot following each films screening. The winners are as follows:
Out of Competition Feature:
THE ARTIST
Writer/Director: Michel Hazanavicius
Narrative Feature Competition:
RESTIVE
Writer/Director: Jeremiah Jones
Documentary Feature Competition: (Tie)
ECSTASY OF ORDER: THE TETRIS MASTERS
Director: Adam Cornelius
STORIES FROM AN UNDECLARED WAR
Director: Dennis Rice
Texas Independents:
SIRONIA
Writers: Brandon Dickerson, Thomas Ward, Wes Cunningham
Director: Brandon Dickerson
Comedy Vanguard:
FRED & VINNIE
Writer: Fred Stoller
Director: Steve Skrovan
Narrative Short:
MWANSA THE GREAT
Writers: Rungano Nyoni, Gabriel Gauchet
Director: Rungano Nyoni
Narrative Student Short:
BENNY
Writers: Evan Ho, Huay Bing-Law
Director: Huay Bing-Law
Animated Short:
THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE
Writer: William Joyce
Directors: William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg
Documentary Short:
ELLIOTT ERWITT: I BARK AT DOGS
Director: Douglas Sloan
The 2011 Film Competition and Screenplay/Teleplay winners have already been announced, and are available at http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/film_competition_winners_2011 and http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/screenplay_and_teleplay_winners_2011.
Last year's Audience Awards included Exporting Raymond, Dig, Make Believe, among others. The 2009 Out of Competition Audience Award Winner was Jason Reitman's Up in the Air, which was nominated for several Academy Awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director."2008 AFF Audience Award winner, Slumdog Millionaire, presented by director Danny Boyle, went on to win 8 Oscars®, including "Best Picture", "Best Director" and "Best Screenplay."
"There truly is no greater reward for a filmmaker than an Audience Award, which confirms their ability to tell a good story. Every filmmaker is a storyteller at heart, and you can't receive better validation than the approval of your audience," say AFF Film Programmers Stephen Jannise and Stephen Belyeu.
This year's Audience Award was sponsored by Esurance, the direct-to-consumer car insurance company. Esurance has been a longtime supporter of filmmakers and artists who help bring compelling stories to life.
The AFF has announced its dates for the 19th Annual Austin Film Festival and Conference, October 18-25, 2012. For information or to purchase a Badge, please call 1-800-310-FEST (3378) or visit the website at www.austinfilmfestival.com.
About Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.
The Austin Film Festival is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Special support is provided to the Austin Film Festival by Dos Equis, KVUE, KUT 90.5 FM, United/Continental Airlines, Esurance, and Wells Fargo Advisors.
About Esurance
Esurance, an Allstate company, provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select agents, including sister company Answer Financial. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices. For more information, visit www.esurance.com and www.answerfinancial.com.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Movie Doc's Top Ten Films of AFF
1. THE ARTIST
2. PARIAH
3. I MELT WITH YOU
4. BUTTER
5. JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME
6. THE DESCENDANTS
7. UNION SQUARE
8. THE RUM DIARY
9. SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE
10. BELOW ZERO
Honorable Mention: SAL
Movies I wish I had seen: SHAME, HAROLD'S GOING STIFF, YOU HURT MY FEELINGS
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
2. PARIAH
3. I MELT WITH YOU
4. BUTTER
5. JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME
6. THE DESCENDANTS
7. UNION SQUARE
8. THE RUM DIARY
9. SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE
10. BELOW ZERO
Honorable Mention: SAL
Movies I wish I had seen: SHAME, HAROLD'S GOING STIFF, YOU HURT MY FEELINGS
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
Thursday October 27, UNION SQUARE
On my final night of AFF '11 I decided to go with the last screening at the Paramount theater, mainly because an old Hollywood crush would be in attendance. The Austin Film Festival closed their marquee screenings with a lovely film about family and dealing with loss. Written and directed by Nancy Savoca, UNION SQUARE stars Mira Sorvino (crush) and Tammy Blanchard as two estranged sisters who reconnect on Thanksgiving after not speaking with one another for some time. Lucy (Sorvino), upset after being jilted by a lover, looks up her younger sister Jenny (Tammy Blanchard). Originally from the Bronx, Jenny left home to get away from the family drama of her mother Lucia (Patti LuPone) and her older sister Lucy who's very much like their mother. Even though Jenny's life is more peaceful, the seemingly perfect life she has made for herself is not completely genuine. Both sisters awkwardly catch-up and the drama that ensues helps both of them face truths about themselves they had avoided for so long.
I was impressed by Savoca's incredible script and also by the performances of Blanchard and Sorvino. The film has a simple structure and limited locations which could translate well as stage play. Driven by realistic writing, character development, and amazing acting, the film exceeded my expectations and was a satisfactory conclusion to my coverage of the fest. Writer/director Savoca and actress Sorvino attended the screening and participated in the Q & A that followed. Savoca stated that her script was "strongly written, but had a breathing space for improvisation." This is clearly evident in the genuine performances by the cast which didn't feel staged at all. Savoca felt driven to capture a "raw emotion" which is often absent from movies. Sorvino claims that the two weeks she spent with Blanchard getting to know her well really helped with their chemistry. Sorvino also contributed all of her wardrobe from the film which is hyper-colorful and often loud. She attributes this to her Italian side. "My Italian side of the family wears strong loud colors which reflects their loud colorful personality." Mira clearly embraced this side for the Lucy character.
Because of the excellent writing and superb performance of Sorvino and Blanchard, I encourage audiences to seek out this film. I, honestly, am not aware of any theatrical video release dates, but recommend that people keep an eye out for it.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
Wednesday October 26, THE DESCENDANTS
When I first heard that the new Alexander Payne movie would screen at AFF, I nearly flipped. Starting with his film ELECTION and continuing with follow ups ABOUT SCHMIDT and SIDEWAYS, I became an ardent admirer of his filmmaking as well his taste in excellent stories. THE DESCENDANTS, like his last three films, is based an a novel. Payne usually selects genuine, true to life stories on which to base his films and his latest is no exception.
Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, Payne and his co-writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash tell the story of Matt King (George Clooney) and what becomes probably his most difficult time in his life. King, a successful attorney, has been coping with not only the emotion issues, but also the legal ones associated with having a spouse in a coma. His wife Elizabeth (Patricia Hastie) suffers a traumatic injury in a motor boat accident and her prognosis is terrible. At the same time, Matt has to juggle his responsibilities of his wife's care along with raising his daughters Scottie (Amara Miller) and Alexandra (Shailene Woodley). Finally, Matt, whose family sits on a prime piece of real estate in Hawaii, has to make an important decision regarding its sale.
While I didn't like this movie as much as his past two films (SIDEWAYS, ABOUT SCHMIDT), Payne still made an wonderful picture. He and his writers in his films have the profound talent to take often sad and depressing situations and highlighting the humorous, but real moments that can happen. As usual, he and his casting department assemble a wonderful cast to flesh out the characters beautifully. My only gripe with this film would be a small predictability factor regarding the subplot involving the property sale. The end result of that part of the story is pretty transparent. Still, this one criticism doesn't take much away from my enjoyment of the movie. I must highly encourage fans of Alexander Payne to go see this movie when it opens in theaters later this year.
DESCENDANTS actor and Georgetown native, Nick Krause attended the screening at the Paramount theater and did a brief Q & A following the movie. Krause, who plays Alexandra's friend Sid, has a hilarious part in the film. His facial expressions alone made me laugh hard. Krause seemed to really enjoy working with Payne who took the cast to Hawaii to spend some time preparing for the shoot. This helped Krause get into character as he observed the teenagers who live there and also got a tan to look the part. The preparation definitely worked as Krause often steals the show, even from Clooney.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH
After gushing with joy and with an almost permanent smile left on my face after THE ARTIST, I was not sure what to expect with my second feature of the night at the Paramount. Well, this thankfully short film left me a tad flat. Honestly, though, I'm not sure why the programmers thought an enigmatic and ambiguous art film could follow a classic-styled masterpiece and still expect to blow people away. This film especially plays out way too understated and brought many questions to mind, but didn't really develop the lead character well enough for me to empathize with him.
Ethan Hawke plays Tom Ricks, a socially awkward (the least of his issues) American author who travels to Paris to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Her protective mother prevents the two from spending much time together, so Ricks, desperate for work, reluctantly takes a job in an unusual and mysterious facility where he works the highly secure door. He also meets an odd, but alluring woman named Margit (Kristin Scott Thomas) with whom he begins a torrid affair. His everyday mysteries along with his sanity raise way too many questions, and by the "end" of the film, I lacked any real connection with his character to really care what it all means. Ethan Hawke offers a fine performance, but writer/director Pawel Pawilowski seems to do very little with the novel by Douglas Kennedy on which this film is based. I have not read Kennedy's book, but what I have read about it sounds much more thrilling and mysterious than this dull film version.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
Ethan Hawke plays Tom Ricks, a socially awkward (the least of his issues) American author who travels to Paris to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Her protective mother prevents the two from spending much time together, so Ricks, desperate for work, reluctantly takes a job in an unusual and mysterious facility where he works the highly secure door. He also meets an odd, but alluring woman named Margit (Kristin Scott Thomas) with whom he begins a torrid affair. His everyday mysteries along with his sanity raise way too many questions, and by the "end" of the film, I lacked any real connection with his character to really care what it all means. Ethan Hawke offers a fine performance, but writer/director Pawel Pawilowski seems to do very little with the novel by Douglas Kennedy on which this film is based. I have not read Kennedy's book, but what I have read about it sounds much more thrilling and mysterious than this dull film version.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
Tuesday October 26, Beginning with THE ARTIST
When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I became so excited for this film. As a fan of classic cinema, I have enjoyed several films from the silent era, particularly those by Charlie Chaplin. When I heard that AFF added this to the film roster, it rose to the top of the films I highly anticipated at the festival. I mainly had positive feelings going into this screening; however, my cynical side also worried that the movie would come across as too cheesy, sappy, and well, gimmicky. Well, I am overjoyed that my positive instincts were correct. THE ARTIST serves as a beautiful homage to classic cinema, particularly silent movies.
Writer/director Michel Hazanavicius takes audiences back to 1927 Hollywood, an era when silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) ruled the big screen. His reign is soon coming to an end though. Warned by his studio heads that talkies will take over, the prideful Valentin refuses to change with the times. Before he becomes obsolete, he meets a talented young dancer named Peppy Miller (the beautiful and radiant Berenice Bejo) whose own stardom eventually eclipses that of Valentin as she becomes the fresh face of the talkies.
I absolutely loved this movie. I not only consider this film one of my favorites of the year, but one of my favorites of all time. Hazanavicius does amazing work recreating that classic look and feel of movies in film's glorious younger days. I must applaud the gorgeous cinematography by Guillaume Schiffman and the music by Ludovic Bource which really add to the experience. The superb performances by Dujardin, Bejo, and their supporting cast which includes John Goodman, James Cromwell, and Penelope Ann Miller help Hazanavicius create a masterpiece which deserves to be dubbed as an instant classic. I must highly recommend this motion picture to all lovers of classic cinema.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
Writer/director Michel Hazanavicius takes audiences back to 1927 Hollywood, an era when silent film star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) ruled the big screen. His reign is soon coming to an end though. Warned by his studio heads that talkies will take over, the prideful Valentin refuses to change with the times. Before he becomes obsolete, he meets a talented young dancer named Peppy Miller (the beautiful and radiant Berenice Bejo) whose own stardom eventually eclipses that of Valentin as she becomes the fresh face of the talkies.
I absolutely loved this movie. I not only consider this film one of my favorites of the year, but one of my favorites of all time. Hazanavicius does amazing work recreating that classic look and feel of movies in film's glorious younger days. I must applaud the gorgeous cinematography by Guillaume Schiffman and the music by Ludovic Bource which really add to the experience. The superb performances by Dujardin, Bejo, and their supporting cast which includes John Goodman, James Cromwell, and Penelope Ann Miller help Hazanavicius create a masterpiece which deserves to be dubbed as an instant classic. I must highly recommend this motion picture to all lovers of classic cinema.
Mark Saldana
The Movie Doc
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