Mining Austin for CFF

Please accept my apologies for not blogging more often. I was running from screening to screening (and a few parties), so was not back at my base where the Internet was. I wish I was a better blogger. So sorry!

To catch you up, I did get a chance to see nine feature films and many shorts (only listed the two I liked below) in total out here. All really truly interesting in their own way. Our festival was promoted and many an idea for other films to bring to CFF was sprung with filmmakers. I will certainly write more analysis after digesting them all and reviewing with Doug and Tom what they saw at Sundance to try and complete a well-rounded offering, but Austin was a great place for making relationships that will last for us and finding unique films to show our town.

Cigarette Candy (short)—about soldier returning home from war with a burden to bear.

Kelp (short)—funny relationship comedy.

And Everything is Going Fine—the Spalding Gray story.

Helena from the Wedding—situational comedy ensemble piece.

Some Days Are Better—what is the meaning of life? X-generation funny.

A Different Path (doc)—unique discussion about urbanization and cars.

The Happy Poet—funny about success and morality. Possible?

Dance With the One—best drama for me. Two brothers try and make their way in life after being raised by hippies.

Tiny Furniture—mother/daughter/sister comedic drama also trying to find out who you are.

Lebanon, PA—every decision we make leads us a certain direction…sometimes home.

Barry Munday—comedy about a man who literally has to lose his “manhood” to learn to be a man. Has stars like Cybill Shepherd, Malcolm McDowell, Chloe Sevigny. If we can work it out with distributor, we could have this come to CFF. It was funny. My agent is their agent, but we must wait and see what distributor ends up on board.

Met or knew someone (thanks to great introductions from my Austin friends) so we can access these all pretty easily. Plus, six degrees from others…fingers crossed for good filmmakers to attend again.

Attended the Austin Chronicle Film Party (who sponsored the festival with others).

Attended the premier party for Dance With the One.

Have much follow-up with people met including some wonderful actors, writers, producers and others.
There are also a few films I missed but heard great things about that I will follow up with and get copies sent. I mean really, a couple of great looking films to chase down.

Also, heard that Ed Norton owns land (an island?) in our Easton area. True? His film Leaves of Grass was SXSW Friday night opening movie. Richard Dreyfuss also in it. He is also a fan of our area. Anyway, something for us to check into making a fundraiser event out of or something. He is an environmental activist and we could mix that into the fundraiser or something.

Will be at airport at 4 a.m. for my 5 p.m. departure. Thanks for the opportunity to represent CFF and bring back some gems. Great stuff all around!! And best of all was Amy’s House. (Thanks Amy and Pete!)

Goodnight.
Liza