Texas Book Festival and Austin Film Festival Hook Up for 2011 Partnership

Feb. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- AUSTIN, TX (February 1, 2011) – The Austin Film Festival (AFF) and the Texas Book Festival (TBF) are pleased to announce their partnership for 2011. These two writer-centric powerhouses will join forces for special events in Austin throughout the year as well as during each organization’s annual festival, allowing attendees a rare opportunity to engage with both legendary authors and film industry leaders all at once. The Austin Film Festival will run from October 20-27 and concurrently the Texas Book Festival will be October 22-23.

During this double-dose festival weekend, book lovers and film buffs will relish a full roster of engaging discussions, signings, demonstrations and workshops.  More than 300 top authors and screenwriters will converge on the city for the weeks surrounding the events, allowing a multitude of opportunities for access to this wealth of talent.  The AFF and the TBF have collaborated and supported each other for many years and are elated to co-produce this series of events that will culminate with a festival weekend.

“Having long been a supporter of the Texas Book Festival, I was delighted when the unique opportunity to program together presented itself,” said Barbara Morgan, co-founder and executive director of the Austin Film Festival. “We share audiences and both celebrate writers, many of whom are crossover authors/screenwriters, and couldn’t be more fitting collaborators. I think our partnership will greatly benefit both the Austin arts community and the tourism industry.”

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our members and literary lovers the tremendous opportunity to participate in these rich joint creative projects,” said Heidi Marquez Smith, executive director of the Book Festival.  “So many films have their roots in books, and we will explore and celebrate the creative process and product of both art forms.”

Upcoming events Austin Film Festival and Texas Book Festival are partnering on include:

•   February 16 - A Conversation in Film with screenwriter James V. Hart followed by a special screening of HOOK; Conversation @ 6:00pm, AT&T Conference Center; HOOK screening @ 7:30pm, Texas Spirit Theater; Hart's screenwriting credits include BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, CONTACT, TUCK EVERLASTING, MUPPETS TREASURE ISLAND, SAHARA, THE LAST MIMZY and AUGUST RUSH. Hart’s first novel, CAPT. HOOK – THE ADVENTURES OF A NOTORIOUS YOUTH, was published by Laura Geringer Books for Harper Collins and was named “Top Ten Young Adult Books” in 2006 by the American Library Association.

•   March 9 - Made in Texas Film Series…FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS @7:30pm, Texas Spirit Theater. The film is based on the classic, bestselling book of the same title by H.G. Bissinger.

•   March 10 – Screening of Jane Eyre at the Alamo Drafthouse, South Lamar.  Time TBD. The film is a passionate adaptation of the timeless novel by influential English author Charlotte Brontë.   It is directed by two-time AFF Alum Cary Fukunaga and stars Mia Wasikowska, Judi Dench, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell and Sally Hawkins.

•   April 13 - Made in Texas Film Series…WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE @7:30pm. The film is adapted by the book of the same name by Peter Hedges.  Hedges also wrote and directed the film.

•   July 2 - Made in Texas Family Film Series…HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS @3:00pm, Texas Spirit Theater; this event is free. The film is adapted from the novel of the same title by Thomas Rockwell.
With the exception of HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS, there is an admission charge for all of the above events.  Information can be found at www.austinfilmfestival.com   

About Austin Film Festival                                                                             
Since 1994, Austin Film Festival, a non-profit organization, has been dedicated to furthering the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.  The AFF’s Conference offers over 65 panels, craft sessions and roundtable discussions led by more than 100 industry professionals, along with over 170 film screenings, premieres and events. For additional information on the 18th Annual Austin Film Festival, panels and film screenings, and how to purchase everything from a Producers Badge to a Film Pass, visit the official website at [link=http: //www.austinfilmfestival.com] Austin Film Festival[/link] or call 1-800-310-FEST (3378).

The Austin Film Festival is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Special support is provided to the Austin Film Festival by Continental Airlines, KVUE, KUT 90.5, and Dos Equis.

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The Texas Book Festival is a nonprofit organization that celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination. Founded in 1995 by Laura Bush and a group of interested volunteers, the annual Festival is held on the grounds of the Texas Capitol. It features readings and discussions from more than 200 renowned Texas and national authors, entertaining and informing more than 30,000 adults and children alike, free of cost. It’s filled with vibrant panels and events, engaging discussions, signings, children’s authors and entertainment, cooking demos, local foods and live music. Year-round TBF hosts literary events across the state.

Become a member at: http://www.texasbookfestival.org/Donate_Online.php and receive invitations to special author events, priority seating, the latest literary news and more! See http:www.texasbookfestival.org for more information.