Austin Film Festival Announces Opening and Closing Night Films

With the 17th Annual Austin Film Festival just 15 days away, the majority of the schedule has already been announced. Today, the festival organizers unveiled their selections to open and close the festival.

Things will kick off on Thursday, October 21 at the Paramount Theatre with the World Premiere of Phil Rosenthal's documentary Exporting Raymond. Rosenthal will be on hand for a Q&A after the film, which follows his attempts to help adapt the long running CBS show "Everybody Loves Raymond" (which he created) into a Russian sitcom.

Director George Hickenlooper will close the festival with the Regional Premiere of his film Casino Jack. The film features Kevin Spacey as infamous Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and tells the story of the scandals that surrounded him. Hickenlooper and actor Jon Lovitz will be hand for this screening at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday, October 28.

Badges and film passes are available now along with the complete list of films, events and panelists at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by calling 512-478-4795.

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