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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
Austin has been in the national spotlight for more than extreme growth—the last two years have brought a handful of violent crimes, missing persons cases and shootings.
Some of the most heartbreaking cases have yet to be solved. Here's a small update on some ongoing, high-profile cases in Austin.
Moriah Wilson | Suspect still on the run
Star biker Moriah Wilson was found dead in her East Austin home.
Professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson’s alleged killer, Kaitlin Armstrong, is still on the run and was last spotted leaving LaGuardia Airport in New York City on May 14—three days before the Austin Police Department obtained a warrant for her arrest.
Wilson was shot to death in her home on May 11 just hours after she went swimming with fellow cyclist Colin Strickland, who Armstrong had previously dated. Strickland said it was never a secret that he dated 25-year-old Wilson and had “no indication” Armstrong would react violently, as she had been dating other people as well.
While Wilson’s family said they don’t believe she was romantically involved with anyone, the case is being investigated as a crime of passion.
Investigators believe Armstrong might be using her sister’s name, Christine Armstrong, in New York State. A $5,000 reward has been issued for information leading to her capture.
Timothy Perez | Missing since March 2022
"He said, 'Dad, come get me, I'm lost,'" Robert Perez told Austonia. "I said, 'Pull, over,' but he just hung up, and we were never able to get a hold of him."
The Austin Police Department found Timothy’s car—cold and with an empty tank—around 15 miles from his brother’s home at 4:30 a.m. the same morningTimothy was last spotted again that morning when Round Rock Police responded to a welfare check called in by St. William Catholic Church. RRPD photographed him, said Timothy refused to identify himself and left without incident; Timothy wasn’t reported missing until a few days later.
According to EquuSearch, Timothy’s phone pinged briefly in Conroe on March 16 but hasn’t been located since. RRPD officials said they believe Timothy is voluntarily missing based on his interaction with officers.
But his parents think Timothy might've suffered a nervous breakdown and still drive from Conroe to Austin every few days to look for their son.
Due to the sighting at the church, APD closed its missing person case on April 8 but Round Rock Police still lists Timothy as missing.Jason Landry | Missing since December 2020
More than 31,000 acres were combed through to find missing Texas State student Jason Landry. (Caldwell County Sheriff's Office)
Texas State University student Jason Landry went missing on Dec. 13, 2020, after his car was found abandoned in Luling as he was driving home from nearby San Marcos to Missouri City, Texas, for winter break.
Landry’s car was found crashed with keys still in the ignition and all of his personal possessions, including his clothing, some with drops of blood, and phone, but no one in sight.
As conspiracies have swirled around the internet about what might've happened that night, Capt. Jeff Ferry, who is the lead investigator on the case, said "no doubt this is a tragedy… but it’s not a crime.”
More than a year later, friends and family of Landry are still searching for him and have erected billboards reminding locals of his disappearance and offering a $10,000 reward: one going southbound on I-35 and another along U.S. Hwy. 183 north of Luling.
The billboards were leased for 13 weeks in April but they may extend the rental—meanwhile, the case is in the hands of the Texas Attorney General Cold Case and Missing Persons unit. Anyone with information is asked to call (512) 936-0742.
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(SpaceX/Twitter)
Elon Musk’s spacecraft and rocket company SpaceX could be moving into Central Texas with an industrial facility in Bastrop County.
The Austin Business Journal first reported on SpaceX acquiring 170 acres east of Austin and job listings in the Austin area.
Bastrop County property records show that an entity tied to the Boring Company purchased the land near what it already owned along FM 1209. Then in early June, a 46.5-acre tract was transferred from the Boring Company’s entity to SpaceX.
In a June 6 filing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SpaceX gave notice for "Project Echo," a nearly 30-acre warehouse at 816 FM 1209. The project, just a 20-minute drive from Tesla's Giga Texas factory, was authorized to start construction early this month and has an estimated completion at the end of March 2023.
Meanwhile, the SpaceX jobs are for a facilities engineer and a senior application software engineer. The facilities engineer would be tasked with enabling SpaceX to achieve its long-term mission while the software engineer position would create systems to enable rapid build and reuse of the Starship—a reusable rocket the company is developing to carry cargo and people to space—as well as designing manufacturing software that will be used for Starlink, the company’s network of satellites providing internet access.
SpaceX has a site in South Texas along with a rocket testing facility an hour and a half drive north of Austin, in McGregor. Last year, job postings indicated SpaceX's plans for an Austin factory.
This brings an expansion of Musk’s companies in the region, with Tesla’s headquarters in southeast Travis County and the Boring Company based in Pflugerville.
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