A variety of genres are being showcased at the Austin Film Festival, from comedies to dramas to science fiction. The Austin Film Festival runs October 26 – November 2. The movie roster this year includes some titles that have done well at other festivals, as well as those independent films that don’t have as much name recognition. Below we’ve made a shortlist of some of the movies to get excited about this year.
“Lady Bird”
Opening the festival, “Lady Bird” is a film written and directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Saoirse Ronan, and distributed by indie film darlings A24 Studios. The woman-centric comedy has gotten a lot of buzz on the festival circuit so far, and it’s easy to see why from the quirky trailer.
Screening: Thursday, October 26 at 7:00 PM at the Paramount Theatre.
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Don’t let the lengthy title scare you away from this one – Frances McDormand stars in this dark comedy about a mother seeking justice for her murdered daughter by erecting three billboards with messaging aimed at the police and facing the public. Woody Harrelson also stars as the police chief, adding yet another reason to check this one out.
Screening: Saturday, October 28 at 8:30 PM at the Paramount Theatre
“Sun Dogs”
Jennifer Morrison directs and co-stars in this 2017 comedy-drama that follows an unlikely pair on their misadventures. The failed Marine and his partner, a young runaway portrayed by Melissa Benoist, work together to track a group of men they mistake for terrorists. “Sun Dogs” also features Allison Janney, who no doubt brings plenty of comedy to the mix.
Screening: Thursday, October 26 at 9:45 PM at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Bethell Hall and Wednesday, November 1 at 10:00 PM at Hideout Theatre
“Call Me By Your Name”
Despite the lack of big-name stars, “Call Me By Your Name” has gotten plenty of press in 2017. The film follows two young men in Italy in the 1980s who form a passionate bond and develop a relationship. It’s a coming-of-age romance like few before it, and the cinematography promises to deliver, if the trailer is any indication.
Screening: Monday, October 30 at 9:45 PM at the State Theatre
“Chappaquiddick”
This is the festival’s closing film and it tells the story of the 1969 car accident in which Ted Kennedy’s campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne, is killed. A dramatic political and crime story, “Chappaquiddick” stars Jason Clarke, Kate Mara, Ed Helms, Jim Gaffigan and more. This will surely be one of the most talked-about films this year.
Screening: Thursday, November 2 at 9:10 PM at the Paramount Theatre
The Austin Film Festival furthers the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story. You can get tickets and more information on the full schedule of films, panels and more here.
Originally hailing from Pennsylvania, Jackie has called Austin home since choosing to attend the University of Texas, where she graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism. She loves spending time with her dogs, writing about pop culture in all its forms and spending time with friends – eating, drinking and doing trivia.