So, we know that there is some other film awards show going on this weekend that involves statues and crimson carpets and such, but how many nominees can claim Austin as their hometown? None that we can think of, which is what makes the Film Independent's Spirit Awards a bazillion times more interesting to us than the stodgy old Oscars!...

Go Texas Film! After a lengthy submission and selection process, the Austin Film Society has announced the recipients of the 2007 Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund. After receiving a whopping 218 applications (the most they've ever received), the AFS has awarded 21 Texas filmmakers $150,000 in cash and film stock (nearly double the amount of money awarded last year, and by far the most they've ever given away). The biggest individual grant went to June Lee,......

Several of the movies screened at the Austin Film Festival made a big splash when Film Independent announced its 2007 Spirit Awards Nominees yesterday in Los Angeles. Festival hit and winner of both the Jury and Audience awards, Chalk, was nominated for the John Cassevetes Award. The highly-improvised mockumentary about high school teachers was filmed here in Austin and its recognition is another feather in the cap of the local film scene. Raymond J.......