"SXSW Presents" Tonight

It's like attending a film festival in your pajamas. And the popcorn is free.

“SXSW Presents” premieres tonight on KLRU. The purpose of the show is to “share festival-circuit gems with television audiences.” Produced by SXSW, in conjunction with Austin-based company, Beef & Pie Productions, the show endeavors to bring the film festival to you.

Tonight’s first installment will feature Robert Brinkmann’s film, Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday Party. The film is a performance-based documentary that follows an evening of storytelling hosted by legendary character actor (and Texas native), Stephen Tobolowsky.

“Stephen Tobolowksy’s Birthday Party is a great way to kick-off this third season of the show,” says SXSW Film Festival Producer, and “SXSW Presents” host, Matt Dentler. “It’s the kind of film that deserves a larger following, and should find an easy one, in the comfort of our audiences’ living rooms.”

[from the release]

The third season of “SXSW Presents” will differ from previous years in two major ways: 1. The show will now air weekly on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and 2. Each episode will include a taped discussion with local film experts as they chat about the films selected. The line-up of “SXSW Presents” panelists include: Marjorie Baumgarten (film writer, The Austin Chronicle), Marc English (owner, Marc English Design), Kier-la Janisse (programmer, Fantastic Fest and Alamo Drafthouse), Jette Kernion (reporter, Cinematical), Liz Lambert (owner, Hotel San Jose), Lars Nilsen (programmer, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas), Janet Pierson (co-president, Grainy Pictures), Bryan Poyser (director, “Dear Pillow”), Paul Stekler (director, “Last Man Standing”), and many more.

Upcoming titles for the third season include the documentaries: Last Days of the San Jose, Viva Les Amis, Dreams of Sparrows, 24 Hours on Craigslist, State vs. Reed, Witches in Exile, Light from the East, BBQ: A Texas Love Story, Pedal, and several shorts that screened during the last few years of SXSW. The 2007 SXSW Film Festival takes place March 9-17, in Austin, TX.

Check out these former festival darlings tonight and then head over to SXSW's site and get your badge for next year's fest.

"SXSW Presents"
Stephen Tobolowksy’s Birthday Party
Tonight
KLRU (TV)
9pm