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Texas Film Festivals |
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by Jenna Colley
You've got it. You are holding in your hand a script like no other. It has witty yet provocative dialogue, originality, action, love, comedy, and a political slant. It is a written testament to all things good about film. Now that that this has been established, what is your next step?
Before you start practicing that Oscar acceptance speak and planning your outfit for the Cannes runway, you might want to consider the real world. You may be the biggest thing to hit Hollywood since Quentin Tarentino but without money, and visibility your script is worth little more than the paper it's written on.
Unfortunately this is the sad truth that many aspiring screen writers must face. If they have neither the desire, ability, nor money to direct, they must rely on those hungry little producers to give them a break. Yet no matter how good your script may be, every slob and his brother is working on one too, and the competition is damn near overwhelming.
Feeling lost? Well, don't strike a match to that bad boy just yet.
I have the answer, or at least know the people who think they can help.
Austin Heart of Film Festival
They are the hardworking staff of the Austin Heart of Film Festival (AHFF), a screenwriters' conference and showcase, that focuses and pays tribute to the arduous work of the genius at the keys of the script, and even better, they are based right here in our very own city.
Premiering in October of 1994, the AHFF has done nothing but grow stronger and more reputable. For one weekend a year slues of writers, producers, agents and development executives converge on Austin to check out this amazingly low-key Festival that is divided into three parts: (A) the Screenwriters' Conference, (B) the Film Competition, and of course, (C) the Screenwriters' Competition.
The Screenwriters' Conference
The conference centers around panels, seminars and round table discussions (40 in all) and of course numerous opportunities for those sly schmooze sessions that make deals happen. Last years panelists included Callie Khouri (Thelma and Louise), Whit Stillman (Metropolitan, Barcelona), David Valdes (Unforgivin), and Scott Frank (Get Shorty) to name a few. The nights take on a scene from a Scorsese film as the strong scents of scotch and cigars fill parties around town. This is no local yokel affair, yet even here, yokels may have the opportunity to shine.
The Film Competition
The Film Competition honors the finished product offering prospective filmmakers a chance to have their work seen. The films are judged by industry professionals, many from such influential sources as Bravo, HBO, ICM, and Tri-Mark. All finalists receive a pass to the Screenwriters' Conference and the 1st place winner receives round trip air fare, accommodations and the AHFF bronze awards.
The competition applies to feature length and student shorts, yet the festival also offers non-competitive showcases for shorts, and Super 8s.
The Screenwriters' Competition
Although the Conference and the Film Competition provide much of the meal that makes the festival so appetizing, the main course is undoubtedly the Screenwriters' competition. The festival staff has been accepting screenplays since last year's deadline until June 17 from as far as London to Buda. Competition coordinators, have been working diligently with staffers scrupulously logging and reading the screen plays. They take their work very seriously and everyone understands the autonomy that is so crucial in conducting any fair competition. Combined, the categories of Adult/Mature, Children/Family, and Student have produced over 2000 entries, and this year's lot hopes to yield as high a quality as its predecessors. Semifinalists and finalist selections will be judged by a jury of industry professionals and the winners will be announced at the Screenwriters' Conference Awards Luncheon on Friday, October 11.
Although it is too late to submit screenplays for this years competition, a year is plenty of time to hone the one you've been working on, or start the one you've dreamed about.
If you have no desire to write a screenplay, the festival offers attendees and volunteers an opportunity to understand and possibly utilize the mechanisms that make-up the bizarre and fascinating movie industry.
The Austin Heart of Film Festival is unique in that it draws attention to Texas as not only an Eden of location shooting, but a viable force in all aspects of the highly monopolized industry. In order to avoid exploitation of Austin by the industry, it is important to support and promote Texas' independent filmmakers, writers, producers, and directors. One way of doing this is by supporting Texas' film festivals.
Texas offers several festivals throughout the year that succeed in doing just that. So although the dog days of summer may have your mind struggling to plan for tomorrow much less next week, keep your eyes open for future festivals. Listed are a few worth waiting for:
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