Opening with the crooning strains of Richard Hawley's "Tonight The Streets Are Ours" over a montage of clips featuring artists wheat pasting work, tagging walls, climbing buildings and running from the cops, Exit Through the Gift Shop immediately draws us into the world of street art, specifically the tale of Thierry Guetta's rise from fashion store owner to successful street artist, Mr. Brainwash. Billed as a Banksy film, we didn't realize until after the screening that there has been some minor speculation that the entire film itself may be another well-executed prank by the elusive street artist, who is famous for works displayed in locations spanning from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Even if Exit Through the Gift Shop is an elaborate hoax, it feels very real and doesn't necessarily have to be fact for us to gain wisdom and insight into this niche community. more ›

What do you think of when someone says the word "cowboy?" For us, we imagine leathered faces, dirty hands, saddles and the open range, but there is a different kind of cowboy that exists in America: the Professional Bull Rider—daredevils who put their neck on the line, literally, every night, entertaining crowds of eager fans with their feats of bravery, tempered with what we would consider insanity. In her newest documentary film, The Ride, Meredith Danluck encountered a culture that she never even knew existed and captured no only the thrill of competition, but also the quiet life of today's modern cowboy. We had the chance to chat with Meredith via phone last week about uncomfortable social issues, celebrity and of course, cowboys. more ›

MINE: Taken by Katrina, a 2009 SXSW Documentary Feature, explores issues of animal welfare against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina. Lives were turned upside down when the storm blew through, and in the wake of the hurricane pets, as well as people, found themselves displaced and disoriented. Many lost animals ended up being taken in by caring folks around the country, but when the original guardians wanted their pets back, ugly custody battles often ensued. more ›

Some of us know all too well what goes on in small-ish Midwestern towns, but for those who have no idea what the heck it's like to exist in a place where the barber shop is gossip central and a Judge's re-election is the season's biggest drama, 45365 will provide a glimpse. more ›

Photo by Will Pate on flickrInteractive + ScreenBurn The preliminary list of Interactive panels has been released, and includes topics like "The Great Debate: Is Web 2.0 Bulls#!t?", "The Porn Police: Know the Rules," and "The Suxorz: The Worst Ten Social Media Ad Campaigns of 2007." [Preliminary List] Additional, several panels for the gaming-centric ScreenBurn fest have been revealed. These include "The Future Virtual World Game Development: Rise of the Indies," "You Are Here: Gaming... more ›

US bands have less than two months to apply for a showcase slot at SXSW Music. Turn in your application before next Friday and you'll save yourself a little beer money. There are two ways to apply: through SXSW's site, or using Sonicbids. The latter is a great option for bands who already have an electronic press kit (EPK), as they'll just use this to evaluate the application. If you opt for the former,... more ›

If you’re a filmmaker, producer or distributor of films made about Latinos or native groups indigenous to North, Central and South America or Caribbean, Cine Las Americas is putting out a call to you for submissions. more ›

Tenacious D in 'The Pick of Destiny' Marquee Screenings Screening Info: 7:45pm October 26th at Paramount Regional Premiere. The legend of the fabled "Pick of Destiny" infuses every page of rock history. This is no ordinary pick, my friends, its sheer power could shake the pillars of Algernon. It is a thing of lore . . . a thing of magic. Since the dark ages, this supernatural pick has been passed down through many... more ›

• ABDUCTION: The Megumi Yokota Story

  Documentary Feature Competition
  Screening Info: 7:00 PM October 25th at IMAX
  Regional Premiere. Japan, 1977 - A dark, lonely road leads to the windswept shores. This is the remarkable story of a 13-year-old Japanese girl abducted on her way home from school by North Korean spies. Her parents had no idea what had happened to her or if she was even alive for 20 years. Then one day the whole world learned the shocking truth. This is an extraordinary tale of mystery, intrigue, and most of all love. The film is told through the eyes of the girl's mother and father, who have been searching for their daughter for nearly 30 years. The film begins with the day Megumi vanishes and traces the astonishing course of this personal tragedy, as it becomes a battle between two nations rising to a shocking climax. [ info]

• Solo Dios Sabe

  
  International Showcase: Mexico
  
  Screening Info: 7:00 PM October 25th at
  Paramount
  
  Solo Dios Sabe (Only God Knows), a film by Carlos Bolado starring Diego Luna and Alicia Braga, is the dramatic story of a young Brazilian woman who discovers her destiny within a mysterious spiritual tradition. As she travels across Mexico and returns to her native Brazil, she falls in love with a young Mexican journalist and struggles with more wrenching choices.
  [info]

• A Lobster Tale

  
  Narrative Feature Competition
  
  Screening Info: 7:15 PM October 25th at
  Arbor
  
  World Premiere. In a small Maine fishing town, struggling lobster fisherman Cody Brewer discovers a mysterious sea moss in one of his traps. Tension in the already-fragile Brewer family erupts when the supernatural quality of the moss is revealed. The moss seems like the answer to the Brewer family’s problems, but only after it’s affected everyone in town. Despite its magical elements, the film’s strong story remains grounded in its infinitely believable representation of a town of simple fisherman presented with an amazing discovery. [info]

The Garage Austin Screens Screening Info: 7pm October 23rd at Alamo Lake Creek Regional Premiere. Shot in and around Austin with a local cast and crew, The Garage tells the story of Matt, a young mechanic, who works at his father’s garage. Dreaming about leaving his small-town existence for grander ambitions, Matt struggles with his feelings for his new girlfriend and his loyalty to his parents and brother. Despite insistence that he leave from... more ›

The Austin Film Festival announced its jury award winners on Sunday. Check out the list below, including when you can catch them for a second time. more ›

Runners' High Documentary Feature Competition Screening Info: 2:30pm October 21st at Hideout Regional Premiere. The Toronto Star says, "It's pure inspiration every step of the way." The SF Bay Guardian raves, "Inspirational Sports Movies are hard to beat and this one is particularly potent." When teenagers from one of the nation’s toughest neighborhoods in Oakland, California sign up to train for a marathon, they begin the journey of a lifetime. Runners High is an... more ›

Stop by the Driskill Hotel to purchase movies passes or badges. Individual movie tickets can be purchased at the theatres. Sounds of Silence Documentary Feature Competition Screens: 7pm @ The Arbor [from AFF] Regional Premiere. Hidden beneath the alarming headlines from a totalitarian regime lies a bustling culture desperate for recognition at home as well as in the eyes of the wider world. This documentary offers a view inside Tehran and its burgeoning pop... more ›

South by Southwest (SXSW) has begun accepting applications for the 2007 music and film festivals. This year, all applications must be submitted electronically, including music and press kits. Here's the summary: SXSW Music Early Application: $20, Due October 6, 2006 Regular Deadline: $30, Due November 10 (US artists) or October 27 (international artists) Showcase Notification Deadline: February 9, 2007 Things you'll need to apply: name, address, phone, and email of the applying act's label representative... more ›

Join the Austin Film Festival folks for a very special screening of Dirt, winner of AFF's Best Documentary Feature award at last year's festival, tonight at the Alamo Lake Creek. The screening kicks off a series at the Alamo LC that features some of the best from last year's fest. Dirt follows a season inside the world street stock racing at the legendary Devils Bowl Speedway, in Mesquite, Texas. Featured in the documentary is, Gayla... more ›