The Austin Film Festival has announced the initial world premieres, Texas premieres and filmmakers slated for its 21st anniversary season this fall. This year's festival, which runs October 23-30, will spotlight an impressive mix of Hollywood A-listers and true Texas talent.
AFF’s 2014 Centerpiece Film is Black and White, starring Academy Award winners Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer who are battling against each other for custody of their granddaughter. Director Mike Binder will be in attendance to discuss the film with audiences.
Five world premieres will take place at the festival: 21 Years: Richard Linklater, 7 Minutes, Dawn Patrol, One-Eyed Girl and The Texas Promise.
21 Years: Richard Linklater is a unique tribute to the Texas director who's enjoying a successful year thanks to his critically lauded film, Boyhood. The documentary looks at the first 21 years of Linklater’s film career and features interviews with Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Billy Bob Thornton, Keanu Reeves and Jack Black. The films co-directors, Michael Dunaway and Tara Wood, will be in attendance.
Texas premieres include The Imitation Game, Tommy Lee Jones’ The Homesman, and James Franco’s adaptation of The Sound and the Fury. There's no official word yet on whether Jones and Franco will pop into the festival.
Along with numerous film premieres, AFF's annual Guest Programmer Series will provide extra fun for film buffs. Guest programmers include Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner presenting an in-depth look at The Twilight Zone, Irish filmmakers Jim Sheridan and Terry George presenting In the Name of the Father, John Patrick Shanley presenting Moonstruck, Randall Wallace presenting Braveheart and Tom Schulman presenting Dead Poets Society.
Film buffs can snag badges ($125 - $625) and film passes ($50) to the festival online.
The Austin Film Festival returns October 23-30.
