Austin Film Festival Reveals First Wave of 2024 Screenings

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘Black Dog’ Courtesy of the Austin Film Festival.

There are few moments more exciting regarding a festival, than when the first screening lineup arrives. For it signifies that the festival draws near and now one can begin to plan their event post haste, and of course… now one knows what’s playing, and it’s always amazing to get an idea of what amazing movies or shows will be present there. But it is extra special when the Austin Film Festival begins to announce their lineup.
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Simply because, the AFF is one of the most prestigious festivals in the nation and they always host thought provoking and powerful features that truly touch us in our soul and well, the big day regarding what we can expect from this year’s festvial has finally arrived. Since earlier, the AFF released its lineup for the first wave of screenings this year, and since you’re dying to know… here is that lineup. So, you can prepare for another incredible year of incredible storytelling at one of the finest festivals around.

‘Austin Film Festival (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing writer’s and filmmaker’s contributions to film, television, and new media, has announced its first wave of screenings to be included in their 2024 film slate, taking place Thursday, October 24 – Thursday, October 31.

This year includes exciting new World Premieres like the magical realist biopic RAVENS, starring recent Emmy-nominee Tadanobu Asano (SHOGUN); Texas-made thriller THE EGO DEATH OF QUEEN CECILIA; and SILENT NOTES, a romantic neo-noir starring Daniel Durant (CODA).

Additional programming includes Netflix’s THE PIANO LESSON, an adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer-prize winning play, The Forge’s BLACK DOG, which earned writer/director Guan Hu the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes 2024, and the Ecuadorian horror SHAMAN, the writing debut of Daniel Negret, producer on recent horror hits TALK TO ME and POSSESSOR.

Films will be premiering alongside AFF’s Annual Writers Conference, featuring awardees and panelists across all sectors of the industry. Previously announced awardees include Kathleen Kennedy (Polly Platt Award for Producing), Ronald D. Moore (Outstanding Television Writer Award), Justin Marks (Writer’s Writer Award), and Rachel Kondo (New Voice Award); and panelists Craig Mazin, John August, Tanya Saracho, Meg LeFauve, Matt Selman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, VJ Boyd, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

AFF FIRST WAVE:
RAVENS (France/Japan/Belgium/Spain) - K5 International
Written/directed by: Mark Gill
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Kumi Takiuchi, Sôsuke Ikematsu, Kanji Furutachi
Synopsis: The dark fantasy love story of legendary Japanese Photographer Masahisa Fukase and his wife Yoko.
In attendance: Writer/Director Mark Gill
World Premiere

THE PIANO LESSON (US) - Netflix
Written by: Malcolm Washington, Virgil Williams
Directed by: Malcolm Washington
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins, Erykah Badu
Synopsis: A family clash over an heirloom piano explodes. The battle between brother and sister - one hopes to sell it, the other refuses to give it up - unleashes haunting truths about how the past is perceived and who defines a family legacy.
In attendance: Writer Virgil Williams

BLACK DOG (China) - The Forge
Written by: Guan Hu, Ge Rui, Wu Bing
Directed by: Guan Hu
Cast: Eddie Peng, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke , Zhang Yi, Zhou You
Synopsis: On the edge of the Gobi Desert in Northwest China, Lang returns to his hometown after being released from jail. While working for the local dog patrol team to clear the town of stray dogs before the Olympic Games, he strikes up an unlikely connection with a black dog. These two lonely souls embark on a journey together.

SILENT NOTES (US)
Written by: Jason Furlani, Anna Franquesa-Solano, Toni Comas
Directed by: Toni Comas
Cast: Daniel Durant, Matt Riker, Ruth Aguilar
Synopsis: After finding out he is going deaf, Bruce is stuck at a crossroads: he needs a surgical intervention that he can't afford. In his attempt to find a solution that will get him the money, he meets Ethan, a lonely man who needs above all someone to talk to. The unlikely pair will embark on a journey of no return, where Ethan can't stop talking to Bruce, who is unable to hear.

ARTIFACT WAR (US)
Written by: Jacob Ingalls Schwarz
Directed by: Evan Michael Carpenter
Synopsis: A team of archaeologists-turned-spies brave Syria’s civil war and infiltrate the ranks of ISIS to uncover the greatest art theft since WW2 and unravel a conspiracy that implicates Western museums and one of the world’s most powerful companies
World Premiere

PARTY PEOPLE (US)
Written by: Lindsey Robertson
Directed by: Joey LePage
Cast:  Matthew Daddario, George Basil, Elisha Henig, Samuel Davis
Synopsis: One night. One party. And 15 people who are just trying to get there.
World Premiere

SHAMAN (Ecuador)
Written by: Daniel Negret
Directed by: Antonio Negret
Cast: Sara Canning, Daniel Gillie, Jett Klyne, Humberto Morales
Synopsis: A Missionary converting an Indigenous Community in a remote Ecuadorian volcano must come to terms with her own Faith when her son is possessed by dark forces older than her own religion.
World Premiere

THE EGO DEATH OF QUEEN CECILIA (US)
Written by: Chris Beier, Daniel Wolfman
Directed by: Chris Beier
Cast: Jo Schaeffer, Sam Stinson, Holt Boggs
Synopsis: A washed-up YouTube star blackmails an old rival in an attempt to reclaim her fame. But when things go awry, she finds herself ensnared by a drug trafficking ring. As Cecilia spirals out of control, she's forced to confront her true place in society.
World Premiere

THE BELDHAM (US)
Written/directed by: Angela Gulner
Cast: Patricia Heaton, Katie Parker, Emma Fitzpatrick, Corbin Bernsen
Synopsis: A struggling new mother fights a generations-old presence lurking within her family home, threatening her safety, her sanity, and the life of her infant child.
North American Premiere

SISTERS (US)
Written/directed by: Susie Yankou
Cast: Susie Yankou, Sarah Khasrovi, Kausar Mohammed, Anna Garcia
Synopsis: Shithead best friends Lou and Esther share everything—raunchy inside jokes, flailing careers, and a mutual wish to have grown up with a sister. But when Lou finds out she has a very real, very chic long-lost half sister, her and Esther’s co-dependent bliss is rudely interrupted.
U.S. Premiere

The complete list of Festival programming, including over 100 films as well as hundreds of panels, will be announced in late September. 

ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television, and new media. AFF champions the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. AFF is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts. All attendees and events are based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. 

Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by phone at 1-800-310-FEST.

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