After devastating wildfires swept Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties last month, the Nov. 8-12 Napa Valley Film Festival posted a banner notice on the fest’s homepage that answered a question on many people’s minds: “NVFF17 will go on as scheduled.” Nvff co-founders/directors Marc and Brenda Lhormer followed up with a statement indicating “Our intention is to put on the most memorable and meaningful film festival to date,” along with plans to donate a percentage of festival pass sales revenue to the Napa Valley Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Among the films screening on Nvff’s opening night, Brandon Dickerson’s third feature...
Among the films screening on Nvff’s opening night, Brandon Dickerson’s third feature...
- 11/9/2017
- by Justin Lowe
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gravitas has debuted the trailer for an indie titled Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, which is playing at the Austin Film Festival this month. For those who don't know, the word "glamping" is an amalgamation of "glamorous camping", essentially describing luxurious camping in which you go stay in fancy places - in this case, a "yurt". David Arquette and Amy Acker stars as a married couple who decided to go "glamping" in hopes of reigniting their spark for each other. Of course, things get weird and crazy, and yeah you know how these films go. This also stars Adan Canto, Nicole Elliott, Daniel Ross Owens, Chris Carpenter, Gustavo Gomez, and June Squibb. It's not really my kind of indie comedy, but it might be up your alley. Here's the full trailer (+ poster) for Brandon Dickerson's Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, on YouTube: With their marriage on the rocks, Jack (Arquette) and...
- 10/19/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
There's not much in the way of glamour in Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, an upcoming rom-com in which David Arquette and The Gifted’s Amy Acker star as an unhappily married couple taking a much-needed vacation at a "camping" resort. As you can see in the movie’s trailer, exclusively debuting on Et, there are plenty of hipsters, llamas and one shirtless Adonis of a landowner (Adan Canto), though.
"We are supposed to be saving our marriage," Acker’s Amanda laments to her downer husband at one point in the preview, while Arquette's Jack taunts back, "You are not staying here for us. You’re staying for Magic Mike."
Photo: Gravitas Ventures
The romantic comedy marks a reunion for Acker and writer-director Brandon Dickerson, as she previously starred in his 2011 drama, Sironia. Amanda & Jack Go Glamping was loosely inspired by Dickerson’s own experiences at the very same glamping retreat, Green Acres, and the movie...
"We are supposed to be saving our marriage," Acker’s Amanda laments to her downer husband at one point in the preview, while Arquette's Jack taunts back, "You are not staying here for us. You’re staying for Magic Mike."
Photo: Gravitas Ventures
The romantic comedy marks a reunion for Acker and writer-director Brandon Dickerson, as she previously starred in his 2011 drama, Sironia. Amanda & Jack Go Glamping was loosely inspired by Dickerson’s own experiences at the very same glamping retreat, Green Acres, and the movie...
- 10/17/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has secured the North American distribution rights to Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, a quirky, romantic comedy starring David Arquette and Amy Acker, who currently stars on Fox’s new Marvel series, The Gifted. From writer-director Brandon Dickerson, the film will premiere at the Austin Film Festival at the end of the month followed by a theatrical run and on demand release November 10. Inspired by Dickerson ‘s own journey, the pic follows dejected…...
- 10/11/2017
- Deadline
Austin Film Festival Unveils First Films In Lineup; Will Premiere Season Finale Of HBO’s ‘The Deuce’
The 2017 Austin Film Festival will premiere the season finale of HBO's new drama The Deuce as well as the romantic comedy Amanda and Jack Go Glamping starring David Arquette and Amy Acker, written and directed by Austin filmmaker Brandon Dickerson. Other films this year will be Permanent with Rainn Wilson and Patricia Arquette, Please Stand By with Dakota Fanning and Toni Collete, and 24 Hours to Live with Ethan Hawke and Liam Cunningham. The festival takes place this…...
- 8/22/2017
- Deadline
Read More: 2015 Austin Film Festival Announces Full Lineup, Including 'Legend,' 'Carol' and More In this clip from the documentary "A Single Frame," a gallery photo makes a deep connection with one individual. "I described it to a friend as like a car wreck in my chest," he says about how he felt viewing a photograph of a young boy caught in the middle of a war zone. The clip explores some of the powerful emotions portrayed in the photograph and the sympathy it creates for its subject. "A Single Frame" is directed by Brandon Dickerson. The synopsis reads: "While on a trip to Dubrovnik in 2007, Jeff Bowden encounters a photograph of a refugee child taken during the war in Kosovo. Driven by this haunting image, Bowden sets out to find the boy. His journey takes him from Texas to Paris, and ultimately to the post-war culture of the Balkans,...
- 10/30/2015
- by Wil Barlow
- Indiewire
“Movie Houses of Worship” is a regular feature spotlighting our favorite movie theaters around the world, those temples of cinema catering to the most religious-like film geeks. If you’d like to suggest or submit a place you regularly worship at the altar of cinema, please email our weekend editor. The Violet Crown Cinema Location: 434 West 2nd St. Austin, TX Date Opened: April 29, 2011 No. of Screens: 4 Current First-Run Titles: Her, 12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County, Inside Llewyn Davis, American Hustle Repertory Programming: While there are no repertory screenings currently being exhibited at the Vcc, the theater has hosted repertory programming in conjunction with Janus Films and The Criterion Collection, typically before Criterion’s release of new or upgraded titles. Special Events: Besides showing first-run arthouse, independent and documentary works, the Vcc has often provided a special showcase for local talent, hosting (for example) an advance screening party for Richard Linklater’s Bernie, Q...
- 1/19/2014
- by Landon Palmer
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Welcome to Holiday Favorites, a series in which Slackerwood contributors and our friends talk about the movies we watch during the holiday season, holiday-related or otherwise.
This installment comes from Brandon Dickerson, director and co-writer of Sironia.
Seeing a film on Christmas Day has been a tradition since I was a kid and one we've continued with our own family the past few years. We started early with special Alamo Drafthouse screenings of Gremlins and It's a Wonderful Life with our kids and I'm certain that Elf and Love Actually will be enjoyed at home in the few days leading up to Christmas celebrations.
Whereas all of those films would make my "Holiday Favorite" list, along with A Christmas Story, my absolute favorite movie to enjoy during the winter holidays is Millions. Danny Boyle's playfully directed story of a seven-year-old boy who discovers a bag of English pounds just...
This installment comes from Brandon Dickerson, director and co-writer of Sironia.
Seeing a film on Christmas Day has been a tradition since I was a kid and one we've continued with our own family the past few years. We started early with special Alamo Drafthouse screenings of Gremlins and It's a Wonderful Life with our kids and I'm certain that Elf and Love Actually will be enjoyed at home in the few days leading up to Christmas celebrations.
Whereas all of those films would make my "Holiday Favorite" list, along with A Christmas Story, my absolute favorite movie to enjoy during the winter holidays is Millions. Danny Boyle's playfully directed story of a seven-year-old boy who discovers a bag of English pounds just...
- 12/27/2012
- by Jordan Gass-Poore'
- Slackerwood
After July's relative dry spell for worthwhile new releases, the first weekend in August brings a few good reasons to escape the heat in a movie theater. The dark, cynical Killer Joe is required viewing, but if you're looking for something less violently nihilistic, may I suggest the charming Ruby Sparks?
Elsewhere in Austin movieland are some intriguing special screenings. On Saturday and Sunday, Alamo Drafthouse Ritz is screening The Color Wheel, a portrait of two estranged and unmotivated twentysomething siblings, a brother and sister who grow closer and discover themselves while moving the sister's belongings out of her ex-lover's apartment. The Color Wheel -- which features Austin filmmaker Bob Byington in an acting role -- also shows nightly August 6-9 at Alamo South Lamar.
On Sunday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cinema East presents my favorite film of SXSW 2012, King Kelly. (Read my excessively glowing review.) Shot entirely on...
Elsewhere in Austin movieland are some intriguing special screenings. On Saturday and Sunday, Alamo Drafthouse Ritz is screening The Color Wheel, a portrait of two estranged and unmotivated twentysomething siblings, a brother and sister who grow closer and discover themselves while moving the sister's belongings out of her ex-lover's apartment. The Color Wheel -- which features Austin filmmaker Bob Byington in an acting role -- also shows nightly August 6-9 at Alamo South Lamar.
On Sunday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cinema East presents my favorite film of SXSW 2012, King Kelly. (Read my excessively glowing review.) Shot entirely on...
- 8/3/2012
- by Don Clinchy
- Slackerwood
It's another week free of hype and blockbuster films, with plenty of gems around Austin to keep film fans pleased, especially classic film fans. The Paramount Theatre kicks off its highly anticipated Summer Classic Film Series next Thursday night with To Kill a Mockingbird and Pillow Talk.
Galveston-based animator and filmmaker Kelly Sears will be in town to screen a series of short works for the Experimental Response Cinema on Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 pm, at Spider House. This 2011 Texas Filmmaker Production Fund (Tfpf) recipient has had her experimental films screened at Los Angeles Film Festival, Sundance, and SXSW Film Festival including the animated short horror film Once It Started It Could Not End Otherwise. Her films feature images of the past to tell modern stories through the use of analog and digital animation.
The Alamo Drafthouse is screening the classic movie Rashomon at the Ritz on Monday at 7:30 pm...
Galveston-based animator and filmmaker Kelly Sears will be in town to screen a series of short works for the Experimental Response Cinema on Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 pm, at Spider House. This 2011 Texas Filmmaker Production Fund (Tfpf) recipient has had her experimental films screened at Los Angeles Film Festival, Sundance, and SXSW Film Festival including the animated short horror film Once It Started It Could Not End Otherwise. Her films feature images of the past to tell modern stories through the use of analog and digital animation.
The Alamo Drafthouse is screening the classic movie Rashomon at the Ritz on Monday at 7:30 pm...
- 5/18/2012
- by Debbie Cerda
- Slackerwood
The Dallas International Film Festival has announced 15 of the films in its 2012 lineup, and not only does Texas make a great showing, but Austin is well represented. I'm hoping to attend the festival this year, the selections look so good so far. Some notable non-Texas films include Lawrence Kasdan's Darling Companion, which has former Austinite Mark Duplass in the cast; The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, the directorial debut of actor Ryan O'Nan (The Dry Land), and Takashi Shimizu's Tormented.
Cinema Six, the latest feature from filmmakers Mark Potts and Cole Selix (S&M Lawn Care), will have its world premiere at the festival, which takes place from April 12-22 (corrected from original text). Jenn and I visited the set in Lockhart last year (when the movie was called A Splice of Life). The filmmakers aren't from Austin, but many of their cast and crew are: producer Kelly Williams,...
Cinema Six, the latest feature from filmmakers Mark Potts and Cole Selix (S&M Lawn Care), will have its world premiere at the festival, which takes place from April 12-22 (corrected from original text). Jenn and I visited the set in Lockhart last year (when the movie was called A Splice of Life). The filmmakers aren't from Austin, but many of their cast and crew are: producer Kelly Williams,...
- 2/20/2012
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
(via IndieWire) 2011 Austin Film Festival Audience Award winners: Out of Competition Feature: “The Artist” Writer/Director: Michel Hazanavicius Narrative Feature Competition: “Restive” Writer/Director: Jeremiah Jones Documentary Feature Competition: (Tie...
- 11/5/2011
- by Ryan Adams
- AwardsDaily.com
Michel Hazanavicius's acclaimed "The Artist" walked away with the Out of Competition Feature Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival. Among the other Audience Award winners at the event which wrapped on October 27th: Jeremiah Jones' "Restive" (Narrative Feature Competition); " Adam Cornelius' "Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters" which tied with Dennis Rice's "Stories From An Undeclared War" in the Documentary Feature Competition; and Brandon Dickerson's "Sironia" (Texas Independents). ...
- 11/4/2011
- Indiewire
By Sean O’Connell
hollywoodnews.com: We don’t yet have a clear-cut frontrunner in the Oscar race. There is support in certain circles for such films as “Moneyball,” “The Descendants” and “The Help.” We’re still waiting to see “War Horse,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and Stephen Daldry’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” A lot can change between now and then.
One thing that hasn’t wavered, however, is the audience support for Michel Hazanavicius’s “The Artist,” which started charming patrons back at Cannes. The film’s latest conquest was The 2011 Austin Film Festival, which took home the Audience Award for the Out-of-Competition category at this year’s fest.
Totally understandable. It is an absolute crowd pleaser, and I expect it to play extremely well with Academy members this season. Well enough to win the Best Picture prize? Only time will tell.
Here are the...
hollywoodnews.com: We don’t yet have a clear-cut frontrunner in the Oscar race. There is support in certain circles for such films as “Moneyball,” “The Descendants” and “The Help.” We’re still waiting to see “War Horse,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and Stephen Daldry’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” A lot can change between now and then.
One thing that hasn’t wavered, however, is the audience support for Michel Hazanavicius’s “The Artist,” which started charming patrons back at Cannes. The film’s latest conquest was The 2011 Austin Film Festival, which took home the Audience Award for the Out-of-Competition category at this year’s fest.
Totally understandable. It is an absolute crowd pleaser, and I expect it to play extremely well with Academy members this season. Well enough to win the Best Picture prize? Only time will tell.
Here are the...
- 11/4/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
If you're a fan of music-heavy movies, you will likely love Sironia. If you usually shy away from them, especially when the lead is a musician himself, you'll be pleasantly surprised with Brandon Dickerson's feature film debut.
"Life is what happens when you're making other plans." In the case of Thomas (Wes Cunningham), when plans for stardom start requiring compromise, he and his expectant wife escape to Sironia, Texas for a simpler life. As it usually happens, the act of running from instead of running to is never fast enough.
Early in Sironia, the movie seems like it might follow the trope of artistic integrity versus money, and be merely a vehicle for showcasing Cunningham's songs. However, Sironia isn't a vanity film, and the longer it progresses the more impressive it gets. While Cunningham's music is integral to the story and in fact written prior to the script, the...
"Life is what happens when you're making other plans." In the case of Thomas (Wes Cunningham), when plans for stardom start requiring compromise, he and his expectant wife escape to Sironia, Texas for a simpler life. As it usually happens, the act of running from instead of running to is never fast enough.
Early in Sironia, the movie seems like it might follow the trope of artistic integrity versus money, and be merely a vehicle for showcasing Cunningham's songs. However, Sironia isn't a vanity film, and the longer it progresses the more impressive it gets. While Cunningham's music is integral to the story and in fact written prior to the script, the...
- 10/25/2011
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
The 18th Austin Film Festival is almost here. To help celebrate all the locally connected movies at this year's fest, we've reached out to a number of filmmakers to find out about their Austin and Texas-tied films screening at Aff, and to hear about what they're looking forward to doing during the festival.
Austin-based filmmaker Brandon Dickerson's feature film debut Sironia features music by Texas singer-songwriter Wes Cunningham, who also co-wrote the script with Dickerson and Thomas Ward. Dickerson, pictured above on the right with actress Amy Acker and Wes Cunningham, shares some very personal stories about how the story and the film began. Audiences may not recognize all the names of cast and crew, but may notice a lot of familiar faces onscreen. The cast includes Jeremy Sisto, Carrie Preston and Ryan Cartwright, not to mention Dallas-born actress Acker.
Slackerwood: Describe your film for us, in a quick and dirty paragraph.
Austin-based filmmaker Brandon Dickerson's feature film debut Sironia features music by Texas singer-songwriter Wes Cunningham, who also co-wrote the script with Dickerson and Thomas Ward. Dickerson, pictured above on the right with actress Amy Acker and Wes Cunningham, shares some very personal stories about how the story and the film began. Audiences may not recognize all the names of cast and crew, but may notice a lot of familiar faces onscreen. The cast includes Jeremy Sisto, Carrie Preston and Ryan Cartwright, not to mention Dallas-born actress Acker.
Slackerwood: Describe your film for us, in a quick and dirty paragraph.
- 10/18/2011
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: A handful of stellar titles with Oscar aspirations have been programmed into this year’s Austin Film Festival schedule, which begins on Oct. 20 with an as-yet-unnamed Opening Night selection.
In between, Aff audiences will get their first looks at Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants,” Steve McQueen’s “Shame,” Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” Rodrigo Garcia’s “Albert Nobbs” and Sean Durkin’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene” – all films with awards hopes that will screen as part of the festival’s Marquee category.
“We’re proud to be taking our program in some exciting new directions while maintaining our focus on strong writing and engaging stories,” said new Film Programmers Stephen Jannise and Stephen Belyeu.
In addition, the fest has set up special screenings of “Toy Story” (presented by John Lasseter), an “Edward Scissorhands” screening, and a tribute to Polly Platt...
Hollywoodnews.com: A handful of stellar titles with Oscar aspirations have been programmed into this year’s Austin Film Festival schedule, which begins on Oct. 20 with an as-yet-unnamed Opening Night selection.
In between, Aff audiences will get their first looks at Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants,” Steve McQueen’s “Shame,” Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” Rodrigo Garcia’s “Albert Nobbs” and Sean Durkin’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene” – all films with awards hopes that will screen as part of the festival’s Marquee category.
“We’re proud to be taking our program in some exciting new directions while maintaining our focus on strong writing and engaging stories,” said new Film Programmers Stephen Jannise and Stephen Belyeu.
In addition, the fest has set up special screenings of “Toy Story” (presented by John Lasseter), an “Edward Scissorhands” screening, and a tribute to Polly Platt...
- 9/20/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
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