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The Austin Film Festival has announced its first wave of screenings for its upcoming 30th anniversary event.

Oscar winner Emerald Fennell’s new film Saltburn has been chosen as the festival’s opening night selection. The MGM and Amazon Studios title stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike, and is described as “a wicked tale of privilege and desire.” It’s the sophomore effort by the acclaimed Promising Young Woman filmmaker, who will be in attendance.

This year also includes several world premieres, such as Lena Headey’s feature directorial debut, The Trap, which stars Headey’s Game of Thrones co-star Michelle Fairley, along with James Nelson Joyce.

Other notable titles (full list and descriptions below) include the debut feature American Fiction from writer-director Cord Jefferson, which stars Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown and Tracee Ellis Ross. Also, screenwriter Brian Helgeland returns to Aff with his newest project, Finestkind,...

Exclusive: Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel), Bobby Soto (Narcos: Mexico), Julio Cesar Cedillo (Narcos: Mexico), Veronica Falcón (Ozark), Sarayu Blue (I Feel Bad) and Eric Johnson (Fifty Shades franchise) are among the newest additions to Prime Video’s Michael Peña starrer A Million Miles Away, which has entered production in Mexico City. Others rounding out the ensemble of the Alejandra Márquez Abella-helmed film include Jordan Dean (Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace), Ashley Ciarra (Chupa), Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood), Emma Fassler (Recovery Road), Michael Adler (Super Pumped), Carlos S. Sanchez (Chicago Fire) and Isaac Arellanes (Ghostwriter).

A Million Miles Away is based on the inspiring true story of Jose Hernandez, who defied insurmountable odds to become the first migrant farmworker to travel to space. From six years old, he toiled in the fields between Michoacán and Stockton, California —dreaming of traveling the night skies on a rocket ship. Through his...

Stars: Christine Ko, Michael Lee Joplin, Vincent Van Horn, Dusty Sorg, Carla Valentine, Scott Subiono, Landry Allbright, Paula Jai Parker, Chase Joliet, Stephanie Barkley, Steve Sobel, Alex Dobrenko | Written by Tyler Savage, Dash Hawkins | Directed by Tyler Savage

Stalker is directed by Tyler Savage (Inheritance) and written by both Savage and Dash Hawkins. It introduces us to Andy, played by Vincent Van Horn, who moves from Texas to Los Angeles after his long-term relationship dissolves. He quickly meets a girl named Sam (Christine Ko) at a dive-bar and they start to hang out and see each other, but it also isn’t long before Andy meets Roger (Michael Lee Joplin), a ride-share driver, and things start to swan-dive for the new LA resident.

Andy, fighting against the feeling of rejection from his family and buddies back in Dallas and the isolation and loneliness of this new gigantic city, decides to...

Stars: Christine Ko, Michael Lee Joplin, Vincent Van Horn, Dusty Sorg, Carla Valentine, Scott Subiono, Landry Allbright, Paula Jai Parker, Chase Joliet, Stephanie Barkley, Steve Sobel, Alex Dobrenko | Written by Tyler Savage, Dash Hawkins | Directed by Tyler Savage

Blinders is directed by Tyler Savage (Inheritance) and written by both Savage and Dash Hawkins. It introduces us to Andy, played by Vincent Van Horn, who moves from Texas to Los Angeles after his long-term relationship dissolves. He quickly meets a girl named Sam (Christine Ko) at a dive-bar and they start to hang out and see each other, but it also isn’t long before Andy meets Roger (Michael Lee Joplin), a ride-share driver, and things start to swan-dive for the new LA resident.

Andy, fighting against the feeling of rejection from his family and buddies back in Dallas and the isolation and loneliness of this new gigantic city, decides to...

The month of June has been flying by quicker than I can even believe, as we’re already a week out from the end of the 2017 Dances With Films festival, which took over the historic Chinese Theater in Los Angeles earlier this month. During Dwf, I had the opportunity to catch several intriguing genre films, including Devil’s Whisper, Inheritance, Imitation Girl, and Central Park, and here’s a summary of my thoughts on these four flicks:

Devil’s Whisper: There are a few aspects that I enjoyed about Devil’s Whisper, but unfortunately in the end, a somewhat predictable conclusion coupled with some hokey dialogue ends up derailing the supernatural story from becoming anything beyond “it’s fine.”

Co-writer/director Adam Ripp admirably takes the road left traveled in Devil’s Whisper (especially in relation to other recent possession-related movies), as we follow a teenager named Alex (Luca Oriel...

The legendary Kane Hodder, whose film contributions are many, but is most known for his portrayal of Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Part VII, Friday the 13th Part VIII, Jason Goes to Hell, Jason X), has a documentary coming out about his intriguing life called To Hell and Back, and a new clip from the film has been released. Also: details on the Sdcc 2017 exclusive Twin Peaks sign, Central Park and Inheritance Dances with Films screening info, release details on the Camera Obscura soundtrack and White Raven release.

To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story: "In a candid moment, Robert Englund reveals that horror films used to not garner much respect among the film industry, but is now “a go-to, popcorn ingredient in the soul of Hollywood.” Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) describes stories of Kane’s strong relationship with his fans, while Ted White (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter...

As the definition of an independent film has shifted with the ever-expanding budget divide in American filmmaking — particularly Hollywood cutting back on its mid-range projects — when it comes time for awards season, it’s often only the highest profile of “indie films” that get recognized. While we do our best to recognize the films that often get unfortunately, a new awards has launched that honors the best of truly independent American cinema, featuring films all under a $1 million budget.

Aptly titled the American Independent Film Awards (aka AIFAs), they were voted on by international film festival programmers, U.S. based film festival programmers, and North American film critics (including yours truly.) “First and foremost, we would like to thank all film producers and distribution companies who helped us identify qualifying films and outline the categories. We’d also like to thank the international and American based film festival programmers, and...

From Synthia.Ca, take a look @ director Josh Bear's horror feature "Lumberjack Man", starring Michael Madsen, available April 26, 2016 on DVD and Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment:

"...a demon logger rises from his sap boiler to terrorize the staff of 'Good Friends' camp as they prepare for spring break..."

Cast also includes Adam Sessler, Brina Palencia, Christopher Sabat, Arthur Simone, Ciaran Flynn, Brina Palencia, Wray Crawford, Andy SanDimas, Adam Sessler, Hector Becerra, Jasmin Carina, Alex Dobrenko, Zach Guerrero, Chase Joliet, Jarrett King, Tyler Mount, Angelina Morales, Amanda Moon Ray, Alyona Real, Jake Surca, Bronson Willard and Troy Yingst.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Lumberjack Man"...

Todd Haynes is in the running for best director and both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are in contention for best female lead alongside Room’s Brie Larson as Carol earned six 2016 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations in Los Angeles on Tuesday.Scroll down for full list of nominations

Close behind were Spotlight and Beasts Of No Nation on five apiece, followed by indie darling Tangerine and Anomalisa on four each.

Not even a glitch that saw the list of nominees temporarily appear on the Film Independent website prior to the official announcement could spoil what turned out by and large to be a recognition of independent film in its myriad forms.

Besides the more predictable contenders like Carol, Spotlight and Room, there was plenty of love for Tangerine, shot on an iPhone, and Beasts Of No Nation from Netflix, whose day-and-date release (and what that portends) infuriated large swathes of the exhibition sector but has clearly...

Todd Haynes is in the running for best director and both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are in contention for best female lead alongside Room’s Brie Larson as Carol earned six 2016 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Close behind were Spotlight and Beasts Of No Nation on five apiece, followed by indie darling Tangerine and Anomalisa on four each.

Not even a glitch that saw the list of nominees temporarily appear on the Film Independent website prior to the official announcement could spoil what turned out by and large to be a recognition of independent film in its myriad forms.

Besides the more predictable contenders like Carol, Spotlight and Room, there was plenty of love for Tangerine, shot on an iPhone, and Beasts Of No Nation from Netflix, whose day-and-date release (and what that portends) infuriated large swathes of the exhibition sector but has clearly impressed critics.

Magnolia Pictures earned...

Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the La Film Festival and Film Independent at Lacma, announced nominations for the 2016 Spirit Awards this morning. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at W Hollywood, with actors John Boyega and Elizabeth Olsen presenting the nominations.

Nominees for Best Feature included Anomalisa, Beasts of No Nation, Carol, Spotlight and Tangerine.

“This year’s nominees are a testament to the strength, vitality and diversity of independent, artist-driven filmmaking,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “It’s an astonishingly strong group of films and performances this year and we look forward to celebrating them all at the Spirit Awards.”

Spotlight was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman...

There’s no place like home for the holidays.

Join Krisha as she returns home for Thanksgiving in the new trailer from A24’s upcoming family drama Krisha.

Krisha is director Trey Edward Schults’ “ferociously impressive feature debut” (Variety) about a woman’s return to the family she abandoned years before, set entirely over the course of one turbulent Thanksgiving. Winner of both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at the 2015 South-by-Southwest Film Festival, it is an official selection of Critics’ Week at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

Eric Kohn (Indiewire) writes in his SXSW review, “Krisha snaps into focus whenever Shults’ camera remains trained on his extraordinary lead, whose fierce commitment easily recalls a similar portrait of middle-aged alcoholism in “A Woman Under the Influence.” The final shot once again turns the story over to the contours of Krisha’s face and the shades of emotional ambiguity conveyed by it.

A pair of sections that we’ve been covering almost since its inception, the American Film Institute (AFI) announced their selections for the New Auteurs and American Independents line-ups and we’ve got a noteworthy, eyebrow-raising sampling of award-winning items from the Cannes played hellish immigration drama Mediterranea from Jonas Carpignano to Sundance (Josh Mond’s James White) to SXSW (Trey Edward Shults’ Krisha) winners. Since Park City days, our Nicholas Bell has reviewed a good chunk of these titles, but we’ll still likely have a couple of more reviews once the festival begins. Here are the selections and jury members.

New Auteurs Selections (11 Titles)

From Afar – When a middle-aged man is assaulted and robbed by a young criminal, an unlikely relationship develops. Dir Lorenzo Vigas. Scr Lorenzo Vigas. Cast Alfredo Castro and Luis Silva. Venezuela/Mexico. U.S. Premiere

Disorder – Matthias Schoenaerts plays an ex-soldier who becomes locked...

"Lumberjack Man" is the next film in After Dark Films ‘8 Films to Die For' ! Directed by Josh Bear, produced by Bill Muehl, with story by Josh Bear and Bill Muehl, and screenplay by Ed Kuehnel and Matt Entin, the film stars Michael Madsen ("Reservoir Dogs", "Kill Bill: Vol. 1"), Alex Dobrenko ("Bloody Homecoming"), Ciara Flynn ("Replica 114"), Chase Joliet ("Zombex"), and Adam Sessler ("X-play"). The deal was negotiated on behalf of After Dark Films by Ian Brereton. ‘8 Films to Die For' will be released in theaters on October 16, 2015, with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment handling all ancillary forms of media, including Digital HD, DVD and VOD.As the staff of Good Friends Church Camp prepares for a spring break filled with "Fun Under the Son", a demon logger rises...

"Lumberjack Man" is the next film in After Dark Films ‘8 Films to Die For' ! Directed by Josh Bear, produced by Bill Muehl, with story by Josh Bear and Bill Muehl, and screenplay by Ed Kuehnel and Matt Entin, the film stars Michael Madsen ("Reservoir Dogs", "Kill Bill: Vol. 1"), Alex Dobrenko ("Bloody Homecoming"), Ciara Flynn ("Replica 114"), Chase Joliet ("Zombex"), and Adam Sessler ("X-play"). The deal was negotiated on behalf of After Dark Films by Ian Brereton. ‘8 Films to Die For' will be released in theaters on October 16, 2015, with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment handling all ancillary forms of media, including Digital HD, DVD and VOD.As the staff of Good Friends Church Camp prepares for a spring break filled with "Fun Under the Son", a demon logger rises...

"Lumberjack Man" is the next film in After Dark Films ‘8 Films to Die For' ! Directed by Josh Bear, produced by Bill Muehl, with story by Josh Bear and Bill Muehl, and screenplay by Ed Kuehnel and Matt Entin, the film stars Michael Madsen ("Reservoir Dogs", "Kill Bill: Vol. 1"), Alex Dobrenko ("Bloody Homecoming"), Ciara Flynn ("Replica 114"), Chase Joliet ("Zombex"), and Adam Sessler ("X-play"). The deal was negotiated on behalf of After Dark Films by Ian Brereton. ‘8 Films to Die For' will be released in theaters on October 16, 2015, with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment handling all ancillary forms of media, including Digital HD, DVD and VOD.As the staff of Good Friends Church Camp prepares for a spring break filled with "Fun Under the Son", a demon logger rises...

With Sundance in the rear view mirror and Berlin just around the corner, another huge festival that’s now very much in mind is the 2015 South By Southwest Film Festival (SXSW 2015), to be held in Austin, Texas, this March. And this year, the lineup looks no less eclectic than in any previous year for the festival.

SXSW 2015 will see the debut of two big-studio comedies (Paul Feig’s Spy, starring Melissa McCarthy; and Etan Cohen’s Get Hard, starring Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart), some red-hot documentaries (none more so than Alex Gibney’s Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine) and a vast array of smaller indie titles. Intriguingly, Judd Apatow’s Amy Schumer vehicle Trainwreck will be screened as a work-in-progress.

Elsewhere, Alex Garland’s well-received Ex Machina will be making an appearance, as will Ryan Gosling’s much-maligned Lost River. And curiously, there will be a...

South by Southwest, the multi-faceted film, music and technology festival held annually in Austin, TX will feature such upcoming films as Paul Feig’s Spy, David Gordon Green’s Manglehorn, Alex Gibney’s documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, and Ondi Timoner’s Russell Brand profile Brand: A Second Coming as headliners in this year’s film festival lineup.

SXSW runs from March 13 to 21 in Austin and is now in its 22nd year. Variety has details of the 145 films and 100 world premieres bowing at this year’s festival. Brand, as previously reported, will be the festival’s opening night film.

Other notable titles on the list are the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard, a rough cut of Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland, Ex Machina, and a new comedy by Michael Showalter, Hello, My Name is Doris.

On the small screen,...

Top brass at the 22nd South By Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival have announced the feature line-up for the upcoming festival, set to run from March 13-21 in Austin, Texas.

SXSW will showcase 145 features. The line-up includes 60 films from first-time film-makers and comprises 100 world premieres, 13 North American premieres and 11 Us premieres.

Head of film Janet Pierson and her team of programmers culled selections from a record 2,385 feature-length submissions composed of 1,614 Us and 771 international features. The record of 7,335 total submissions marks a 13% gain on 2014.

For the first time the number of films in the juried Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature selections have risen from eight to ten. The complete Conference line-up and schedule will be released on February 17.

Besides the Narrative Feature Competition and Documentary Feature Competition selections listed below, feature entries include Judd Apatow’s work-in-progress comedy Trainwreck starring Amy Schumer in Special Events, music film 808 (pictured) in 24 Beats Per Second and Alex Garland’s sci-fi...