Austin Film Festival Reveals Second Wave of 2024 Screenings

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘The Room Next Door’ Courtesy of the Austin Film Festival.

It is definitely safe to say, that the buzz surrounding the 2024 Austin Film Festival is at an all-time high, and it makes sense as to why. After all, we know that an incredible lineup of panels awaits us, the kind that will allow any hopeful writer to learn from some of the industry’s best, and of course… the first wave of films have been announced. Which absolutely energizes those preparing to attend because now they’re ready to enjoy what will be amazing films, and well… the excitement is only going to grow after today’s announcement.
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For the Austin Film Festival unveiled the second wave of screenings at this year’s AFF, and goodness… what lie ahead is just as impressive as the wave one announcement. Since it is rife with more mainstream and independent features that explore so many wonderful ideas, and undoubtedly will feature a little commentary on our world and well, since you’re curious what lie ahead, here is the complete list of films announced today, as we continue to count down to one of the finest film 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 Second Wave of screenings to be included in their 2024 film slate, taking place Thursday, October 24 – Thursday, October 31. 

AFF is thrilled to present an impressive lineup of films from Texas filmmakers at the 31st edition of the Festival. Exciting new World Premieres include the Texas-made border drama LA GLORIA starring David Morse; the heartwarming documentary DEAF SANTA; and horror film TEXAS CULT HOUSE starring Adrienne Palicki.  These films join the previously announced Texas features PARTY PEOPLE and THE EGO DEATH OF QUEEN CECILIA, showcasing the outstanding talent in Texas filmmaking presently. 

Additional programming includes Pedro Almodovar’s THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, which recently won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, and Marielle Heller’s satirical comedy NIGHTBITCH with Amy Adams and Scoot McNairy. 

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 SECOND WAVE: 
THE ROOM NEXT DOOR (USA) - Sony Pictures Classics 
Written/directed by: Pedro Almodovar 
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, John Turturro 
Synopsis: Ingrid (Julianne Moore) and Martha (Tilda Swinton) were close friends in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine. Ingrid went on to become an autofiction novelist while Martha became a war reporter. Eventually, they were separated by the circumstances of life. After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation.    
 
NIGHTBITCH (USA) - Searchlight Pictures 
Written/directed by: Marielle Heller 
Cast: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Snowden, Emmett Snowden, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Archana Rajan, Jessica Harper 
Synopsis: A woman (Amy Adams) pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her new domesticity takes a surreal turn. 
 
LA GLORIA (USA) 
Written by: JT Walker, Christopher Young 
Directed by: JT Walker 
Cast: David Morse, Jaklyn Bejarano, Bill Heck 
Synopsis: An embittered Texas border rancher mistakenly shoots a young migrant woman as she crosses his property and must decide whether to help her, risking discovery by his estranged son, a Border Patrol Agent.    
World Premiere  
 
DEAF SANTA CLAUS (USA) 
Directed by: Ben Shelton, Anthony Mowl 
Featuring: Charles William Graves, Kari Graves, Kalei Graves 
Synopsis: With an uncanny resemblance to the icon himself, Charles Graves chases his dream of becoming a professional Deaf Santa Claus 
World Premiere 
 
TEXAS CULT HOUSE (USA) 
Written by: Julia Barnett, Zachary Raber 
Directed by: Julia Barnett 
Cast: Adrianne Palicki, Ryan Cooper, Katherine Willis, Samantha Ryan 
Synopsis: High school friends party at the abandoned home of a former cult leader and discover a mysterious anointing oil that holds the secret to the cult’s unraveling. Austin, a gay teen, is haunted by childhood trauma, while his mother (Adrianne Palicki) seeks to redeem the sins of her past.   
World Premiere 
 
SUBTOPIA: THE STORY OF HUECO CANYON (USA) 
Written by: Clifford Wildman, Luis Caffesse, Lowell Bartholomee, Hilah Johnson, Ellie McBride, Ken Edwards, Liz Fisher, Lana Dieterich 
Directed by: Clifford Wildman, Luis Caffesse 
Cast: Lowell Bartholomee, Hilah Johnson, Ellie McBride, Ken Edwards, Liz Fisher 
Synopsis: In 2011, Wally and Julia Kaplan were looking for a community and found the neighborhood of Hueco Canyon. But when leadership at the Homeowners Association changes hands, their idyllic life is soured. As a joke, Wally runs for President. That joke leads to the largest suburban riot in Texas history. 
World Premiere 
 
AMERICAN SPIRIT (USA) 
Written/directed by: Christopher Yates 
Cast: Yasmeen Fletcher, Cooper Roth 
Synopsis: Melody and Jonathan dated in high school, but that was four years ago. Now dating someone new, Melody is forced to retread her past missteps and question what comes next after a chance encounter with Jonathan. 
World 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. For media credentials, please contact Travis Broughton at marketing@austinfilmfestival.com. Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by phone at 1-800-310-FEST.’

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