Texas Film Hall of Fame to Include Tarantino, Nesmith, McGill

Of all the Austin red carpets and gala events I've been fortunate enough to attend in the past few years, my favorites have been at the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame. The red carpet is actually the entrance to the event, so I not only get to take photos of the honorees, but anyone I recognize who walks in, and sometimes people I don't recognize but who look fabulous, or whom everyone else is photographing. (Then I find out later who they are.) It's a long red carpet with enough room for just about everyone, the lighting is pretty good, and most of the familiar faces are willing to stop and be photographed.

Austin Film Society has just announced three inductees into the Texas Film Hall of Fame for 2010: Quentin Tarantino, Michael Nesmith and Bruce McGill. In addition, actor Thomas Haden Church will again emcee the event -- he did a great job last year, displaying a deadpan and slightly twisted sense of humor.

After the jump, I've added brief explanations of who the honorees are, in case you aren't acquainted with them. The awards ceremony will be on March 11, 2010 (the night before SXSW starts) at Austin Studios. Expect AFS to make a few more announcements about Texas Film Hall of Fame awards and presenters before then.Quentin Tarantino isn't a Texan but he'll receive the Honorary Texan award -- he's shot one film here (Death Proof) and has shown many more in town, from the old QT Fest days to the special screening of Inglourious Basterds at Cinemapocalypse in August. No word yet on who's presenting his award but I wouldn't be surprised if it were Robert Rodriguez.

Michael Nesmith, whom I didn't realize is from Houston, will receive the Warren Skaaren Lifetime Achievement Award. Nesmith has been involved in film for decades, as an actor (Head) and a producer (Repo Man, Tapeheads). Oh, yeah, he was also in The Monkees. I've already heard people clamoring for local theaters to show Elephant Parts in honor of Nesmith's award. Artist Edward Ruscha will be presenting the award.

I always remember Bruce McGill as D-Day in Animal House, but the San Antonio native and UT grad has a long career as a character actor. He's appeared in everything from Silkwood to The Last Boy Scout to Shallow Hal to Matchstick Men to W., and I know I'm leaving out lots of good stuff.

If you want to see 2009 Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards photos, check out my Slackerwood and Cinematical articles as well as my Flickr set.