Austin Film Festival: Saturday Film & Panel Picks

The first weekend day of Austin Film Festival is jam-packed with goodies, and since there’s only a small chance that true fest-fatigue has begun to set in yet, you’re in the perfect position to enjoy a healthy array of films, panels and people-watching. Follow your bliss, of course, but here are a few offerings that look mighty fine to us.

Panel: They Can Kill You But They Can’t Eat You (9 a.m.)
Paul Feig, Mitchell Hurwitz and Michael Green discuss what it’s like to be the creators of critically-acclaimed television shows that ended up being canceled anyway. Does being the object of lifelong, fervent love from geeks around the world make up for having to shut down production prematurely?

(Also happening during this early time slot: A Conversation with Steven Zaillian, which offers the chance to see a screenwriting legend talk about a truly brilliant career.)

A Conversation with Mitchell Hurwitz (10:45 a.m.)
This year, Bluth family groupies have several chances to cross paths with their favorite AFF honoree and television mastermind, Mitchell Hurwitz (see previous panel blurb). This session focuses on the Emmy winner’s past work and is moderated by Paul Feig (cuz we know you love the Weirs, too).

Film: An Education (12:15 p.m.)
When a wise-beyond-her-years schoolgirl becomes the object of affection to a much older man, will society step in or will class and charisma persuade everyone to turn a blind eye? Written by Nick Hornby and starring Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson and newcomer Carey Mulligan, this last-moment addition to the AFF schedule looks thoughtful, engaging and (dare we say) topical.

Panel: A Conversation with Ron Howard (2 p.m.)
As the recipient of AFF’s 2009 Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award and the director of more than a few cinema successes, Ron Howard is the real deal. Now’s your chance to hear what he has to say about where he’s been and what he’s planning next.

Film: The Vicious Kind (6 p.m.)
This Marquee Screening features a darkly comic script about a family of men struggling to make sense of love and live in their small Rhode Island town. Co-presented with the Marfa Film Festival, we like the looks of this offbeat tale.

Film:Tenure (8:15 p.m.)
A college-themed comedy about competitive professors starring Luke Wilson and directed by Mike Million, this Narrative Feature apparently contains plotlines dealing with professorial woes, Big Foot and erotic poetry. Sounds like it has zany potential.

Film:Todd P Goes to Austin (10 p.m.)
This Off the Record entry illustrates that life as a DIY musician can be tough but amazing, especially when Brooklyn rock promoter Todd Patrick has anything to do with it. This locally shot doc features never before seen footage from a string of free shows (Dan Deacon, Matt and Kim and more) and director Jay Buim will be in attendance.

Party: Conference Wrap with Shane Black (11 p.m.)
Finish off the night at the Belmont for some recapping and schmoozing at this gathering hosted by screenwriter Shane Black. (Accessible to weekend badgeholders and up.)

Check out the full AFF schedule here and have fun, film fest lovers!