The Austin Film Festival has announced the first slate of films included in its 2015 lineup. The complete list of films will be announced in mid-September, as the festival runs Oct. 29 – Nov. 5.
James Franco and Jason Reitman are among the celebrities slated to attend the festival, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary with five world premieres and a handful of marquee award season titles.
Widely known as “The Writers Festival,” the Austin Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft, and business of filmmakers and screenwriters. AFF is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, City of Austin Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division, who believe an investment in the arts is an investment in Austin’s future. All attendees and events are based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice.
Carol
Texas Premiere
Writer: Phyllis Nagy; Director: Todd Haynes
In an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s seminal novel The Price of Salt, Carol follows two women from very different backgrounds who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. Starring Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacy and Cory Michael Smith.
Casual
New Series from Hulu
Creator/Executive Producer Zander Lehmann; Executive Producer/Director Jason Reitman
A comedy series about a bachelor brother and his newly divorced sister living under one roof again. Together, they coach each other through the crazy world of dating while raising her teenage daughter.
In attendance: Lehmann, Reitman, executive producers Helen Estabrook and Liz Tigelaar, plus cast members Tommy Dewey, Michaela Watkins and Tara Lynne Barr
Fallen Stars
World Premiere
Writer/Director: Brian Jett
A poignant drama that chronicles the unexpected friendship that develops between Cooper, a melancholy bartender, who at thirty-six, still isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life, and Daisy, an extremely bright but socially awkward girl in her early twenties.
In attendance: Jett, producer Stephanie Marin and cast members Ryan O’Nan and Michelle Ang
I Saw the Light
Texas Premiere
Writer/Director: Marc Abraham
Starring Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Olson, David Krumholtz, and Bradley Whitford.
Memoria
World Premiere
Writer/Directors: Vladamir de Fontenay, Nina Ljeti
Ivan Cohen is a young boy living in Palo Alto, California. Unsatisfied by his slacker group of friends, his love for a girl who doesn’t know he exists, and a dysfunctional family life, he is struggling to find his place in the world. Starring Sam Dillon, Thomas Mann, Keith Stanfield, and James Franco.
In attendance: Ljeti and de Fontenay, plus cast members James Franco and Sam Dillon
Newcomer
North American Premiere
Writer/Director: Kai Berry
When a rookie operative’s mistake costs the lives of his entire team, he’s forced on the run and must piece together the truth by re-creating the events of the ill-fated mission with only the audio recording to guide him.
In attendance: Berry and star Anthony LaPaglia
The Night is Young
World Premiere
Writer/Directors: Matt Jones, Dave Hill
Over one night, two guys meet two girls and explore what it’s really like to have a drink in LA. Or two drinks… or three… or more.
In attendance: Jones, Hill and cast members Eloise Mumford and Kelen Coleman
Paperback
World Premiere
Writer/Director: Adam Bowers
A pizza cook who’s never left his college town meets the girl of his dreams before finding out there’s a huge roadblock to them being together.
In attendance: Bowers
The Teller and the Truth
World Premiere
Director: Andrew Shapter
The Teller and the Truth uncovers the truth surrounding the disappearance of Francis Wetherbee, a beautiful young bank teller who’s been missing since a 1974 bank robbery in Smithville, Texas.
In attendance: Shapter and all cast/crew
Youth
Texas Premiere
Writer/Director Paolo Sorrentino
Youth explores the lifelong bond between two friends vacationing in a luxury Swiss Alps lodge as they ponder retirement. Starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda.