Y’all, we are so excited for the Austin Film Festival this year (October 24th – 31st) but don’t take our word for it. Take it from ColdTowne hero, Lane Ingram (1/2 of the married duo CHLANE), who starred in an early promo for the fest (sorry Lane, can’t ever resist posting this. You’re so good!!).
We’re especially excited to be partnering with the fest this year after collaborating with them on events like First Three Pages Live at ColdTowne, in which writers showcase the first three pages of a script-in-progress with the help of performances from local talent. We’ll be clueing y’all into some of the ways ColdTowne will be involved with the fest later on this week. For now though, we want to take a minute and highlight a few of the indie films we’re most excited to see this year.
Man Camp a film by Dan Cummings and Scott Kruse
Playing
Thursday, October 24th at 7:10 PM – Alamo Drafthouse Village
Tuesday, October 29th at 5:30 PM – Galaxy Highland, Theater 6
Synopsis
Years after losing their father as kids, 3 man-children defend the family legacy by putting their mom’s new fiancee through an epic gauntlet of manhood at their dad’s old cabin.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/333241938
Why We’re Pumped
Mention men-children having to face themselves for real and you’ve got our attention. Make their journey funny and full of heart (okay, but mostly funny) and you’ve got us checking dates and times. Also! The filmmaker, Daniel Cummings, will be performing with Stool Pigeon as their monologist on October 27th at 8:30 PM. As always, Stool Pigeon is free and BYOB!
The Planters a film by Alexandra Kotcheff and Hannah Leder
Playing
Friday, October 25th at 9:30 PM – State Theater
Wednesday, October 30th at 3:45 PM – Alamo Drafthouse Village
Synopsis
Martha lives a solitary existence planting buried treasure and attempting to sell air conditioners until she takes in Sadie and her multiple personalities.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8CbCkDqwSA&feature=youtu.be
Why We’re Pumped
Everything about this trailer is a vibe, from the desert landscape and dreamy costumes, to the opposites-attract adventure duo and funky, surprising claymation. If that wasn’t enough, the two leads also make up *the entirety* of the film’s crew, handling the sound, costumes, directing, producing, and starring roles themselves. The creative control — swoon. We can’t wait to see how it all comes together.
The VICE Guide to Bigfoot a film by Zach Lamplugh and Brian Emond
Playing
Friday, October 25th at 9 PM – Alamo Drafthouse Village (WORLD PREMIERE)
Tuesday, October 29th at 9:15 PM – Galaxy Highland, Theater 5
Synopsis
When a jaded VICE clickbait reporter is sent to the Appalachian foothills to follow a cryptozoologist on the trail of Bigfoot, he’s forced to answer the question, “is a good story worth dying for?”
Why We’re Pumped
An early review of the film (which makes its official debut at this year’s fest), sites it as “a fun little trip for fans of Adult Swim’s weirder stuff.” Bingo! The venn diagram between me and this film is now a circle.
I’ve Got Issues a film by Steve Collins
Playing
Friday, October 25th at 10 PM – Rollins Theater (WORLD PREMIERE)
Wednesday, October 30th at 9:45 PM – State Theater
Synopsis
A quirky comedic collage of intertwining stories about characters swallowed in darkness, yet still finding hope.
Why We’re Pumped
Girl, this cast is stacked. Jim Gaffigan makes the cut, but more interestingly (to us) are performances from local legends and ColdTowne friends John Merriman, Byron Brown, and Sam Eidson. It’s also an official selection of the festival. John Merriman will be the guest monologist telling dating + love stories for Loverboy on Friday, 10/16!
That’s it for now. Make sure to grab your pass or badge before the festival kicks off Thursday, October 24th!