Austin Film Festival Announces Butter, Union Square as Opening and Closing Night Films

The finishing touches to the 2011 Austin Film Festival lineup have been revealed, and Butter, Jeff Who Lives at Home and Union Square will be the Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night films. In one quick breath, this means we'll be seeing Jennifer Garner as an ambitious butter sculptor, the new Duplass Brothers comedy starring Jason Segal and Ed Helms, and Mira Sorvino in an intense family drama.

Here's a little more about the films below, as well as when they'll be screening. Get your badges soon if you haven't already, and view the full Austin Film Festival lineup.

Butter
Writer: Jason Micallef
Director: Jim Field Smith
Thursday, October 20, 7:00pm ­ Paramount Theater

Jennifer Garner stars as an aspiring Iowa butter sculptor who first tries to step out of her famous husband's shadow and then finds herself in competition with a young upstart. With Clinton/Clinton, Clinton/Obama parallels and a Bachmann-like leading lady, this one's got political satire written all over it.

Jeff Who Lives at Home
Writers/Directors: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Saturday, October 22, 6:30pm ­ Paramount Theater

Jeff, played by Jason Segal, becomes motivated to change his loafer lifestyle (he lives in his mom's basement and doesn't have a job) when he comes across a strange sign. He meets up with his estranged brother (Ed Helms) to discover his fate, and Duplass-style charm and hilarity surely ensue.

Union Square
Writers: Nancy Savoca, Mary Tobler
Director: Nancy Savoca
Thursday, October 27, 8:00p ­ Paramount Theater

Speaking of estranged siblings, Union Square is set on Thanksgiving eve and focuses on the tumultuous reunion between two very different sisters. Shot on an extremely low budget in a mere 12 days, this one looks to have plenty of emotional intensity. (Star Mira Sorvino is scheduled to attend this screening.)