Natalie Portman's VOX LUX to Open Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing the writers' contributions to film, television, and new media, announced today that Natalie Portman drama Vox Lux will bow as the Opening Night Film for the fest's 25th Anniversary, running October 25 through November 1. Austin Film Festival's Opening Night Film is presented by Hiscox Insurance.

Vox Lux begins in 1999 when teenage sisters Celeste and Eleanor survive a seismic, violent tragedy. The sisters compose and perform a song about their experience, making something lovely and cathartic out of catastrophe - while also catapulting Celeste to stardom. By 2017, the now 31-year-old Celeste is mother to a teenage daughter of her own and struggling to navigate a career fraught with scandals when another act of terrifying violence demands her attention. The film stars Natalie Portman, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, and Jude Law. Writer/director Brady Corbet will be in attendance to present the film and will also take part in a conversation as part of AFF's Writers Conference.

Corbet will be joining a slew of writers, directors, and actors confirmed to attend including Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) for the World Premiere of thriller The Black String, Adrian Grenier (Entourage) and Zane Holtz (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series) representing Beyond the Night, George Hardy (Troll 2) for the World Premiere of Texas Cotton, and Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars), representing boxing drama Tiger. AFF will also be hosting a team of Icelandic strongmen to present the Rogue Fitness-produced documentary Fullsterkur, chronicling the history and phenomenon of Iceland strength. Cast in attendance includes Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson (Game of Thrones), Magnus Ver Magnusson, Stefán Sölví Pétursson, and Annie Thorisdottir. All will be joining previously announced attendees Larry Wilmore, Tony Gilroy, Robert Rodriguez, Jason Reitman, Peter Hedges, and Roger Corman.

For the full schedule of films, panels, workshops, and parties, visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.

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