Ronak Shah

Austin Film Festival Announces Full 25th Anniversary Film and Conference Schedule

Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing the writers' contributions to film, television, and new media, announced today the full schedule of films and panels for the 25th Anniversary festival, this October 25-November 1. AFF's feature film slate includes 23 World, North American, and US Premieres, a robust retrospective series, and highly anticipated marquee titles, including Steve McQueen's and Gillian Flynn's modern-day thriller Widows, Peter Farrelly's dramedy period piece Green Book starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, Mike Leigh's period piece Peterloo,  Mickey Rourke-starring boxing drama Tiger, Paul Dano's Wildlife starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan, and Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges family drama Ben is Back bowing as AFF's Centerpiece selection, with writer/director Peter Hedges in attendance.

Jason Reitman's THE FRONT RUNNER to Close Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Festival (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing writers' and filmmakers' contributions to film, television, and new media, announced today that The Front Runner will serve as the fest's Closing Night selection. Directed by Academy Award®-nominee and AFF alum Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air), The Front Runner stars Hugh Jackman as the charismatic politician Gary Hart, who was considered the overwhelming front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination when his campaign was sidelined by the story of an extramarital relationship with Donna Rice. The Front Runnerwill bow in Austin on November 1 with Reitman in attendance.