Austin Film Festival has announced the second wave of screenings set to premiere during this year’s festival lineup. The festival will run Oct. 23 to Oct. 30.
Newly added Texas premieres will include Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet,” starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly,” starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice,” and the U.S. premiere of “Sacrificios.”
This year’s world premieres are Kelly Kipscomb’s “Bite To Bite,” Jared Bonner and Josh Flanagan’s “Pickleheads,” following the world of pickleball, “Armadillo Man: The Trips of Jim Franklin,” the short bio-documentary about a concert poster artist who helped create the Austin music venue, Armadillo World Headquarters.”
The festival will also premiere “Sell Out,” a dramedy about a struggling novelist by Nick and Josh Holden, “Not Without Hope,” a true story about four friends stranded at sea, and “Tuesday’s Flu,” a crime drama centered around a recovering gambler.
Friday, September 12
‘ParaNorman’ Returns To Theaters With Remastered Release and New Short Film Premiere
Tickets for Laika’s theatrical re-release of “ParaNorman” this October are now on sale.
The animation will return to theaters in newly remastered 3D and 2D formats as part of the studio’s year-long 20th Anniversary celebration. The studio’s new, CG animated short film, “ParaNorman: The Thrifting,” directed by Laika’s lead character designer Thibault LeClercq and written by Chris Butler, will be shown alongside the film.
The short features the voice work of “Stranger Things” star Finn Wolfhard and Anna Kendrick, reprising her role of Norman’s older sister, Courtney Babcock. The remastered “ParaNorman” will also be released globally in partnership with Trafalgar Releasing in international markets, premiering Oct. 23 and Fathom Entertainment in the U.S. on Oct. 25.
Tickets can be purchased at ParaNorman.com.
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Psychological Thriller “Cognitive”
Gravitas Ventures has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Cognitive,” a psychological horror thriller from writer-director Evan Richards. The film will have a limited theatrical run starting Sept. 23 before releasing across all major digital platforms on Oct. 3.
“Cognitive” follows a woman who comes into contact with a mysterious couple that forces her to question her own identity. The film stars Rachel Fleischer, Nina Brissey, Ratidzo Mambo, Adam Courtin, Charles Fleischer and Diana Darrin. It won the audience award for best feature at Another Hole in the Head and the Special Jury Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.
The film marks Richards’ second feature as a director following his 2006 documentary, “In A Day.”
Watch the trailer here:
Tuesday, September 9
‘Senior Prank’ Comedy Movie Set at Tubi With Noah Toth, Anna Benuzzi, Gray Fagan and Lonnie Marts
“Senior Prank,” an influencer-driven comedy movie about a graduation stunt gone wrong, will premiere on Tubi on Sept. 14.
The film stars Noah Toth (“It Ends”), Anna Benuzzi (“Hacks”) and TikTok comedians Gray Fagan and Lonnie Marts. They’re joined by an ensemble that includes Grace Reiter, Joe Chrest, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Jack Martin, Carrington, Chase Keith, Mitsy Sanderson and Misha Sattar.
Its producers have dubbed “Senior Prank” a “high-school comedy for the digital generation,” and they’re banking on the cast’s combined 26 million TikTok followers to drive engagement to the film.
The Temple of the Arts to Provide Complimentary Seats to High Holy Days Services
The Temple of the Arts is offering Guild Members complimentary seats to the High Holy Days services, running from Sept. 13 to Oct. 2, in Hollywood, Calif.
Russian artist Andrei Kozlov, civil rights attorney Leo Terrell and UCLA professor Dr. Judea Pearl are among the speakers who will be in attendance.
Co-founded by Rabbi Baron, The Temple of Arts was created to provide a deep Jewish experience and incorporate cultural heritage. Rabbi Baron leads the services with Cantor Nathan Lam and Cantor Ilysia Pierce.
The services include a choir led by music director Sharon Farber, readings and special presentations from media personalities, actors, acting teachers and other industry professionals.
Guild members may request two tickets per person by contacting Richard at the Temple at (323) 658-9100 and providing photocopies of their Guild card. Members can also email a request with a photocopy of their Guild card to richard@TempleOfTheArts.org.
The Temple of the Arts will also broadcasts the High Holy Day services. Information can be found on the Temple website at bhtota.org.
Soho International Film Festival Sets “After All” As Opening Night Film
The Soho International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) will open with the world premiere of “After All,” starring Erika Christensen and Penelope Ann Miller. The 16th edition of the festival will take place on Oct. 7 to Oct. 13 at Regal Union Square.
“Our opening night film is a story that resonates across generations—sets the tone for a program that is both deeply personal and universally human,” said Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, Executive Director and Head of Programming for SIFFNYC.
Additional world premieres at this year’s festival will include “Flower of the Dawn,” an animated feature starring Mel Brooks and Jane Lynch, “A Farewell to Youth” in the World Features category, “Books” by Micah Khan, “Sanctuary,” a documentary highlighting LGBTQIA+ individuals in faith systems, “Clementine,” a short film directed by Mike Doyle, and “Under the Northern Skies,” directed by Timo Puustinen.
The 2025 Soho International Film Festival is set to showcase more than 130 films, alongside more than 115 premieres.
Lynx Capital Partners with Chaos Theory for Film Slate, Begins with ‘Don’t Look Inside.’
Film financing company Lynx Capital has partnered with Mike Le Han and Brandon Franco’s production company Chaos Theory, setting up a $250 million credit line to finance Chaos’ upcoming slate of films over the next five years.
The partnership’s inaugural film will be Le Han’s “Don’t Look Inside,” a psychological horror film starring Rachel Nichols, Britt Robertson, Missi Pyle, Nelson Lee, and Bruce Davison. Le Han and Franco are producing the film while Lynx Capital’s Misha Henriksen and Greg Weinberg serve as executive producers.
“Don’t Look Inside” is set to begin production in Minnesota this Fall and a teaser poster has already been revealed.
Monday, September 8
Brat Pack Classic “St. Elmo’s Fire” Set For 40th Anniversary Rerelease
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, “St. Elmo’s Fire” will return to theaters exclusively for one week beginning Oct. 17 in a 4k restored version from Sony.
“St. Elmo’s Fire” follows the story of a group of friends in the years following their graduation from Georgetown University. As they begin to face the reality of their careers and relationship commitments, they betray and save one another as they try to find a place in the real world.
“St. Elmo’s Fire” stars Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher and co-written by Carl Kurlander.
