And now from Austin...

Austin is great! Got in late on Saturday due to weather delays with flights, but got to get my badge, meet up with a few people who filled me in on films and what's "hot" so far. Then back to Amy Rich's home. Amy is an Easton High School buddy to add to the CFF connection!

Plotted my course for Sunday. Started with narrative shorts as they provide surprises and good panels with new talent. Liked one called Kelp.

I then met up with indie agent Deborah MacIntosh from William Morris Endeavor to see what might be possible for us to bring to CFF. They represent two great possibilities. First, Barry Munday and secondly Saturday Night, which has John Malkovich hosting a documentary about what it takes to make the Saturday Night Live show. Also funny and cool behind the scenes. So, she will stay in touch about those as well as send other ideas in case these films get caught up in distribution restrictions.

Then I met up with Suzanne Weinert, an indie writer/producer who used to run Julia Roberts company in NYC. Found out she is an advisory board member of SXSW. She had a film in SXSW last year that is a dark comedy that we could maybe showcase, though it will be in limited release by May. We spoke of others as she called people over to introduce me and hear of their films. It was great, plus, she was introducing the film And Everything Is Going to be Fine, the story of Spalding Gray directed by Steven Soderbergh. This film is not necessarily for CFF, but met good people to open more doors.

I then saw Helena From the Wedding, a narrative comedy but too much suburban whining and not clever enough. We'd seen these yuppies a million times. Finally off to bed and ready for Monday. Suzanne is taking me to the parties tonight, so hold onto your hats….

Liza