Austin Film Festival has finally shown its full cards for the 33rd edition, running from Oct. 29 through Nov. 5, and the lineup reads like a mix of major studio releases and small-scale indie titles, with a slate of panels and guests to match. The festival will screen 97 films from 24 countries, alongside four days of Writers Conference programming.
Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut,” starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, opens the festival. Tony Gilroy’s “Behemoth!” starring Pedro Pascal serves as the centerpiece selection. The lineup also includes Florian Zeller’s “Bunker,” starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Paul Dano, Stephen Graham and Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Simon Stone’s “Elsinore,” which follows the life of acclaimed actor Ian Charleson, starring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman. “Purgatory,” a coming-of-age comedy-drama starring Abby Elliott, Jack Innanen, John Reynolds and J.K. Simmons, rounds out the newly announced films.
The talent expected to appear runs deep. Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Brad Bird and Patton Oswalt (“Ray Gunn”), Edward Burns (“Beneath the Blue Suburban Skies”), Andrew Haigh (“A Long Winter”), Frank Marshall (“Paper Moon”) and Samy Burch (“This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By”) are among those listed. Panels include a conversation with Jim Downey, inside looks at “Friday Night Lights” and “Lanterns,” a look at the “Family Guy” writers’ room, and a session on crafting enduring sitcom characters.
Opening and Centerpiece Films
“The Debut” opens the festival. Jesse Eisenberg directs, with Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti leading the cast.
“Behemoth!” follows as the centerpiece. Tony Gilroy directs, and Pedro Pascal stars.
The Newly Announced Films
“Bunker” is the latest from Florian Zeller. Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz lead the cast, joined by Paul Dano, Stephen Graham and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Simon Stone’s “Elsinore” follows the life of acclaimed actor Ian Charleson. Andrew Scott plays Charleson, and Olivia Colman co-stars.
“Purgatory” brings a younger cast together. Abby Elliott, Jack Innanen, John Reynolds and J.K. Simmons star in this coming-of-age comedy-drama.
Other Marquee Titles
Jordan Firstman’s “Club Kid” is on the bill. Pedro Almodóvar’s “Bitter Christmas” is also included, alongside Andrew Morgan’s “Bleeding Hearts” and James Gray’s “Paper Tiger.”
The festival’s programming splits between feature screenings and panel discussions. The Writers Conference runs for four days, covering craft topics for working writers.
Talent Expected to Attend
The guest list spans directors, writers and actors. Michael Arndt returns for “Little Miss Sunshine.” Brad Bird and Patton Oswalt bring “Ray Gunn” to the festival. Edward Burns appears for “Beneath the Blue Suburban Skies.” Andrew Haigh comes for “A Long Winter,” and Frank Marshall joins for “Paper Moon.”
Samy Burch attends for “This Is the One They’ll Remember Me By.” The full list of guests and panelists is available on the festival website.
Panels and Live Readings
The panels cover craft, process and industry practice. A conversation with Jim Downey explores the making of “Friday Night Lights.” Another panel looks at “Lanterns.” The “Family Guy” writers’ room gets examined in a separate session.
On Crafting Enduring Characters in a Sitcom World asks writers to think about the traits that survive across seasons. Script to Screen: The Town with Peter Craig pairs the writer with a live reading of an unproduced screenplay, “Wild Four O’Clock.”
Peter Craig hosts that live reading.
Key Dates and Numbers
- Festival: 33rd annual, Oct. 29–Nov. 5
- Films: 97 from 24 countries
- Programming: Four days of Writers Conference
- Guests: Michael Arndt, Brad Bird, Patton Oswalt, Edward Burns, Andrew Haigh, Frank Marshall, Samy Burch
- Panels: Conversation with Jim Downey, Inside the Making of “Lanterns,” Inside the writers’ room: “Family Guy,” On Crafting Enduring Characters in a Sitcom World, Script to Screen: The Town with Peter Craig
Key Films Compared
| Category | Title | Director | Lead Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opener | “The Debut” | Jesse Eisenberg | Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti |
| Centerpiece | “Behemoth!” | Tony Gilroy | Pedro Pascal |
| New release | “Bunker” | Florian Zeller | Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz |
| Biopic | “Elsinore” | Simon Stone | Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman |
| Comedy-Drama | “Purgatory” | Not specified | Abby Elliott, Jack Innanen |
The lineup covers a wide range of films, from the opener and centerpiece selections to the smaller titles like “Purgatory.” The Writers Conference adds depth for anyone interested in craft and process.
The Austin Film Festival runs from Oct. 29 through Nov. 5. The full schedule is available on the festival website.
Source material: “‘Bunker,’ ‘Elsinore,’ ‘Purgatory’ and More Join Austin Film Festival’s Full Lineup,” Variety.
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