ATTENTION:

Musicians/Singers/Songwriters/Film Makers/Actors/Agents
Get noticed by having a listing in the Music/Film Issue coming in September for only $50!

The magazine will posted here and your link to your website will be accessible to thousands.

Deadline: August 20

Contact Renee Judkins at austinwideopen@aol.com or call 512-269-6865.

Austin Film Festival is proud to present a special screening of THE DRY LAND followed by a Conversation in Film with writer/director Ryan Piers Williams and lead actress America Ferrera!

Tuesday, August 10 @ 7:30pm
Texas Spirit Theater
at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Avenue – Austin, TX

A long-time friend and former staff member of Austin Film Festival, Ryan Piers Williams attended The University of Texas’ Radio-Television-Film program and was the recipient of an Austin Film Society TFPF grant for his short film, MUERTAS (AFF07). His talent and tenacity were rewarded earlier this year when his debut feature, THE DRY LAND, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to a sold-out theater and standing ovation. It has since played Atlanta Film Festival, Marfa Film Festival, Dallas International Film Festival where it received the Narrative Feature Award and Edinburgh Film Festival where it received the Best International Film Award.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a fascinating and informative discussion on Ryan’s unique journey to breaking into the industry and making his first film. He will be joined by lead actress America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”).

Non-member ticket: $12
AFF member ticket: $8

To purchase tickets, click here.
To purchase member tickets, call 512-478-4795.

ABOUT THE FILM
THE DRY LAND, starring America Ferrera, Ryan O’Nan, Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama and Melissa Leo, tells the story of a young soldier returning home from Iraq and trying to fall back into small town life. James (O’Nan) returns from Iraq to face a new battle—reintegrating into his small-town life in Texas. His wife (Ferrera), his mother (Leo), and his friend (Ritter) provide support, but they can’t fully understand the pain and suffering he feels since his tour of duty ended. Lonely, James reconnects with an army buddy (Valderrama), who provides him with compassion and camaraderie during his battle to process his experiences in Iraq. But their reunion also exposes the different ways that war affects people—at least on the surface.

This moving, taut story of redemption and reconstruction extends beyond a post-traumatic-stress-disorder narrative. THE DRY LAND is about one man’s fight within his own terrain—his country, home, and mind—and his journey to rebuild what he’s lost.

The UT Documentary Center and Screen Door Film are proud to present a special screening on June 16th of the independent feature comedy, `The Overbrook Brothers’ by Austin’s own John Bryant.

The Overbrook Brothers
Wednesday, June 16th
7:00 PM
free
@ Studio 4D on the UT Campus
2501 Whitis Ave

Screen Door is stoked to be presenting The Overbrook Brothers for the first time in Austin since it’s sold-out debut at SXSW ‘09. And join us for Q&A with director John Bryant, producer Chris Ohlson and actors Mark Reeb and Nathan Harlan.

About the film
Over the course of a ridiculously awkward Christmas reunion, two bitter, arch rival brothers discover they’re adopted, and the revelation sends the two adversaries on a hilarious, and sometimes bizarre, cross-country journey in search of their biological parents.

Says director/co-writer John Bryant, “I wanted to write a story about super competitive brothers who are always at ‘war’ with each other. Imagine sibling rivalry on steroids –– two guys that completely regress to a state of twelve year olds when they’re around one another.’ Bryant then hilariously explores this relationship, and how strange and unexpected developments in life propel two rival brothers – kicking and screaming – towards adulthood and maturity.

THE OVERBROOK BROTHERS explores sibling rivalry to the extreme, arrested
development, brotherhood, adulthood, and masculinity in the modern age.

Shot in Austin, Colorado, and New Mexico, and made by a group of Austin-based filmmakers and actors, director/co-writer/producer John Bryant has successfully crafted a rare film that marries an outrageous comedic improvisatory sensibility with broad commercial appeal, and has created cleverly caustic, yet believable characters, full of compassion and humor.

A panel discussion will follow the film with:

John Bryant – Director, The Overbrook Brothers
Chris Ohlson – Producer, The Overbrook Brothers
Nathan Harlan – “Jason” in The Overbrook Brothers
Mark Reeb – “Todd” in The Overbrook Brothers
Tom Borders – Executive Producer, The Overbrook Brothers

UPDATE:
After contacting the Texas Film Commission to get a comment on the status of Rodriguez’s funding for “Machete” this was their reply….

The Texas Film Commission only gives funding to projects that have been completed. Troublemaker Studios has applied for funding for three projects: the first, called Shorts, has been completed and is in the audit process in our office. The other two, Machete and Predators, are still in production. Determinations regarding state funding are not made until the Film Commission reviews the final product. At this time, no funds have been released to Troublemaker Studios.

Original story below. Check back for more updates.

May 2010 — The news this week has been buzzing about the new Robert Rodriguez film “Machete.” On May 5th, also referred to as Cinco De Mayo, a trailer featuring the main character of the film (an ex-Federale called Machete) calling out a warning to Arizona about their recent anti-immigration legislation was illegally released. Very soon after the trailer was available online, it was taken down by Fox Entertainment (the distributor backing the film). If you google the “Arizona” version of the trailer on youtube the message in place of the video is: “This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Twentieth Century Fox.”

Members of Rodriguez’s crew have come forward on a local Austin radio show claiming to be Hispanic and being very concerned about the radical tone of the film, especially in light of the controversial immigration debate in the US. However, this individuals did not give names. The fears they stated were that it would make Hispanics look bad and cause the public to fear them and cause derision.

The trailer available for viewing is very violent and is not something that should not be viewed by minors. The individuals that contacted the local Austin radio show claimed that the actual film is far worse than the trailer. The murders in the film take place in the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Further problems with the film from a funding issue is that apparently Machete was supported by Austin Film Studios which receives taxpayer money in the State of Texas through Texas Film Commission. The purpose of allotting money for Austin Studios is to promote Texas filmmakers. Does Machete and its “anti-white” message pose a problem, since it is taxpayer funded? Devil’s advocate here, but what about the Texas Hate Crimes laws? Does this film fall into hate speech or is it protected speech guaranteed by Rodriguez’s First Amendment Right of free speech? Technically, constitutionally speaking, Rodriguez is protected in this regard of free speech, unless someone disagrees in the DA’s office. This opens up an interesting conundrum. If the film is designed to insight violence and sedition against the government… The situation is a bit muddy and Rodriguez is hopefully considering all of this in his final cut of the film.

Rodriguez has been a respected director, for his talent and his struggle through adversity to become a huge success, for years.

Watch the Arizona Version on Ain’t It Cool News Beware. Ain’t It Cool News uses explicit language.

May 2010 — The news this week has been buzzing about the new Robert Rodriguez film “Machete.” On May 5th, also referred to as Cinco De Mayo,  a trailer featuring the main character of the film (an ex-Federale called Machete) calling out a warning to Arizona about their recent anti-immigration legislation was illegally released. Very soon after the trailer was available online, it was taken down by Fox Entertainment (the distributor backing the film). If you google the “Arizona” version of the trailer on youtube the message in place of the video is: “This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Twentieth Century Fox.”

Members of Rodriguez’s crew have come forward on a local Austin radio show claiming to be Hispanic and being very concerned about the radical tone of the film, especially in light of the controversial immigration debate in the US. However, this individuals did not give names. The fears they stated were that it would make Hispanics look bad and cause the public to fear them and cause derision.

The trailer available for viewing is very violent and is not something that should not be viewed by minors. The individuals that contacted the local Austin radio show claimed that the actual film is far worse than the trailer. The murders in the film take place in the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Further problems with the film from a funding issue is that apparently Machete was supported by Austin Film Studios which receives taxpayer money in the State of Texas through Texas Film Commission. The purpose of allotting money for Austin Studios is to promote Texas filmmakers. Does Machete and its “anti-white” message pose a problem, since it is taxpayer funded? Devil’s advocate here, but what about the Texas Hate Crimes laws? Does this film fall into hate speech or is it protected speech guaranteed by Rodriguez’s First Amendment Right of free speech? Technically, constitutionally speaking, Rodriguez is protected in this regard of free speech, unless someone disagrees in the DA’s office. This opens up an interesting conundrum. If the film is designed to insight violence and sedition against the government… The situation is a bit muddy and Rodriguez is hopefully considering all of this in his final cut of the film.

Rodriguez has been a respected director, for his talent and his struggle through adversity to become a huge success, for years.

Watch the Arizona Version on Ain’t It Cool News Beware. Ain’t It Cool News uses explicit language.

Lucky Rabbit Reel 2010 from Lucky Rabbit Films on Vimeo.

Brand new, 2010 Lucky Rabbit Films REEL just released…