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The film "Birds" follows Austin teens in the summertime. (Birds)
The wait is nearly over for SXSW’s Film Festival, which runs from March 11-20.
Filmmakers from all around the globe are coming to showcase their work and celebrate the film hub that the city is coming to be. There are numerous locals showcasing their films, so if you’re looking to see our state on the big screen, don’t forget to check out the Texas Shorts Program and Texas High School Shorts Program.
And without further ado, here are some SXSW 2022 films, from near and far, that we’ll be in the audience for.
Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood | March 13, 8:00—9:30 p.m. at Paramount Theatre
Telling the story of the first moon landing in the summer of 1969, "Apollo 10 ½" explores the space age from two different perspectives: the astronaut and mission control vs. a young boy in Houston watching history take place. Directed by local filmmaker Richard Linklater, the mind behind “Dazed and Confused” and “Boyhood,” the animated feature film has a star-studded cast with Jack Black, Zachary Levi and Glen Powell. Linklater also tapped local artist Angry Cloud to do some of the animation.
The film will show again on March 19, 12:00—1:30 p.m. at Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema.
Birds | March 11, 8:00—9:48 p.m. during Texas Shorts Program at SXSW Film Theater
Brought to the screen by young filmmaker Katherine Propper, "Birds" captures moments in the lives of Austin teenagers as they escape the notorious summer heat. The 13-minute narrative short premiered last year at the New Orleans Film Festival, where it won the Student Pitch Competition.
"Birds" is also showing on March 15, 3:15—5:03 p.m. at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center and online from March 12-21 from 9-10:48 a.m.
Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart | March 11, 5:00—5:40 p.m. at SXSW Film Theater
Kicking off the fest, author and podcaster Brené Brown is coming to SXSW with her new HBO Max series that goes through emotions and experiences in pursuit of defining what it means to be human. With storytelling, pop culture references and researchers collaborating, Brown covers a range of emotions while laying the framework for meaningful connection.
The episode will also be available online from March 12-14, 9-9:40 a.m.
Dio Dreamers Never Die | March 17, 4—5:53 p.m.
Defying the typical rock-n-roll lifestyle of sex, drugs and partying, "Dio Dreamers Never Die" follows the ascent of heavy metal rocker Ronnie James Die. From his days as a “doo-wop crooner” in the ‘50s to playing in Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow to replacing Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals in Black Sabbath, this film is about perseverance and achieving your dreams.
This film will also be available online from March 18-20, 9—10:53 a.m. and requires an RSVP.
Gone | March 12, 2:45—4:15 p.m. at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center
Development in Pflugerville, a suburb just north of Austin, is skyrocketing along with growth and as it inches closer and closer to farmland, local farmers are worried about their way of life. Directed by San Antonio-based Kyle Ward, this four-minute short looks at the sadness farmers feel when looking at their fields because once the land is built on, it is gone.
"Gone" is also showing on March 19, 12—1:30 p.m. during the Texas High School Shorts Program at Alamo Lamar A and online from March 13-21, from 9—10:30 a.m.
How We Found Our Sound | March 11, 8—9:48 p.m. during the Texas Shorts Program at SXSW Film Theater
After being rejected by Nashville’s music scene, cosmic cowboy Willie Nelson invited the band members of Asleep at the Wheel to move to Austin. Upon arrival in 1973, the Western swing band grew into an outlaw country sound. In 11 minutes, lead singer Ray Benson describes how the counterculture East coast natives helped break down the boundaries “between rednecks and hippies.”
"How We Found Our Sound" is also showing on March 15, 3:15—5:03 p.m. and online from March 12-21 from 9:00—10:48 a.m.
The Lost City | March 12, 6:30—8:30 p.m. at Paramount Theatre
With possibly the most A-list cast, “The Lost City,” follows romance-adventure novelist Loretta, played by Sandra Bullock, and her cover model muse Alan, played by Channing Tatum, who comes to life as “Dash” in her books. After Loretta is kidnapped by a billionaire, played by Daniel Radcliffe, Alan sets off to rescue her in a real-life jungle adventure to find an ancient treasure.
TikTok, Boom. | March 14, 12—1:40 p.m. at SXSW Film Theater
Looking at how TikTok has become one of the most influential platforms of the contemporary social media landscape, “TikTok, Boom.” examines all facets from algorithmic, socio-political, culture and economic impacts that have ensued. With a cast of Gen Z subjects, director Shalini Kantayya explores security issues, platform mechanics, racial biases and what it means to be a digital native
"TikTok, Boom." is also showing on March 15, 6:15—7:55 p.m. at Alamo Lamar D; March 19, 2:30—4:10 p.m. at Alamo Lamar A and online from March 15-17 at 9—10:40 a.m.
To Leslie | March 12, 8:30—10:29 p.m. at Stateside Theatre
"To Leslie" follows the story of Leslie, a single West Texas mother struggling to provide for her son, who wins the lottery and the chance of a lifetime. After drinking her money away over the course of a few years, Leslie returns home to confront the decisions she made, the pain she left and get a second chance with her son. Directed by Michael Morris, the feature-length film stars Andrea Riseborough, Allison Janney and Marc Maron.
"To Leslie" is also showing on March 15, 12:45—2:44 p.m. at Alamo Lamar E, March 18 9:45—11:44 p.m. at Alamo Lamar A, and online from March 13-15 from 9:00—10:59 a.m.
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Popular
(LV Collective)
Move-in has started for a new 300-foot tower a few blocks away from the University of Texas at Austin.
Known as Waterloo Tower, the fully leased building totals 229,728 square feet and is located off of the Drag, along 24th Street. The Austin-based developer, LV Collective, says this location offers easy access to West Campus restaurants and shops and connects residents to the UT campus.
With 241 units and 796 beds, residents have perks like Daydreamer Coffee in the lobby and a rooftop amenity level. The rooftop has unobstructed views of downtown Austin and the UT campus, plus private cabana-style seating areas, a hot tub and waterfall edge pool.
The building broke ground in 2020 near the start of the pandemic and was completed ahead of schedule. LV Collective CEO David Kanne noted the particular care to the interiors that ensured the building was "thoughtfully-designed with spaces that capture the vivacity of UT Austin students, as well as provide our residents and guests with an amenity-rich experience designed to accommodate and enrich the college lifestyle.”
The tower came to be through an amendment to the University Neighborhood Overlay in 2019. It allows developers to build more units than are allowed by a site's base zoning if they agree to set aside a portion of units for income-restricted affordable housing. So Waterloo Tower allocated two floors of the 30-story tower to affordable housing.
The architecture of the project was taken on by Austin-based architects BOKA Powell and TBG Partners for landscaping while interiors were carried out by Chelsea Kloss.
Other student developments by LV Collective include West Campus buildings The Ruckus and Moontower.
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When it comes to the 2022 Austin mayoral and City Council election set for Nov. 8, voters can examine the actual performance of the two incumbents seeking reelection. But what of the other 31 candidates whose names may be on the ballot and vying to be the new mayor or one of the five council members on the dais?
Aside from what these candidates say on the campaign trail, publish on their campaign websites, or post on social media, how do we judge their fitness for office? This article focuses on how much and how often each of the 33 candidates have participated in democracy by casting their votes at the ballot box.