SXSW Spotlight: Agnes Varnum and Bryan Poyser, Austin Film Society
South by Southwest Film Festival and Conference is a particularly busy time for the folks over at Austin Film Society (AFS). Their biggest annual event is the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards, which is being held on Thursday, March 11 at Austin Studios. SXSW Film provides the opportunity for AFS to showcase several of their filmmakers' short films at the Austin Media Arts Committee (AMAC) special screenings at the Hideout. Many AFS Texas Filmmakers Production Fund (TFPF) award winners will also be premiering their films at SXSW, including Austin filmmaker Miguel Alvarez (Mnemosyne Rising).
These SXSW special events couldn't happen without two critical AFS staff members, Agnes Varnum and Bryan Poyser. Agnes has been busy for weeks in preparation of the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards, and is one of the featured panelists for "How to Rawk SXSW Film." Attendees learn from professionals in the industry how to make meaningful connections with all the independent film and new media professionals in town for the event. Bryan coordinates the AMAC screenings for AFS at the Hideout, hosts a Texas Filmmakers Production Fund Workshop, and as one of my favorite panel moderators is part of the "The Kids are Alright: Jay and Mark Duplass Plus" panel. Even more exciting, Bryan's film Lovers of Hate -- well-received at last month's Sundance Film Festival -- is also screening at SXSW. I caught up to this dynamic duo by email for an interview, and here's what they had to say.
What is your role and what do you do for AFS?
Agnes: My title is Communications Manager -- I manage our website, marketing and press relations. I also manage our membership program and contribute to our publication, POV - Persistence of Vision.
Bryan: My position at AFS is Director of Artist Services, which basically means I run the filmmaker-oriented programs we do. The flagship one is the Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund, our annual grant program for Texas filmmakers. We've given away over $1 million to 272 projects since the program started in 1996, funding filmmakers who have gone on to great success (several of which are showing their films at SXSW this year). We also do Docs- and Narratives-in-Progress screenings at the Austin Studios Screening Room, out here on our lot. That allows filmmakers who are in the midst of editing their films to show them to an audience of peers and get feedback. Again, a number of films that went through that program are screening at SXSW this year.
Any helpful tips for SXSW filmgoers?
Agnes: My #1 tip for SXSW is to go with the flow. The first year I came to the event, I had a rigid schedule planned out and found myself running around, trying to catch everything. While I made it to things on my list, I missed the serendipity that happens so easily at SX. Ever since, I look over the schedule in advance, RSVP to everything and then just relax and allow the event to unfold, following my friends to unexpected parties or screenings, being open to ditching my schedule. That is how I've had the best and most productive times.
Bryan: Take advantage of the shuttle bus! This a recent addition to the festival, and one that has been needed for a long time. Fortunately, most screenings are concentrated downtown, but to get to Alamo South, you've got to get in a car - or jump on a shuttle. I used it several times last year and really appreciated not having to worry about parking.
What do you enjoy the most about SXSW Film, including what to do?
Agnes: I like to see films and go to parties, and I try to go to as many of each as I can fit into the day, while going with the flow (see the previous question) of course. I love that there are great free music events going on all over also, so I try to take advantage of that, particularly once the conference is over and the out-of-town film folks have left.
Bryan: For me, it's become the biggest week in my annual social calendar. I've
been going since 1995 and I've met so many cool people that keep coming
back every year. So, it's like a big reunion for me -- I get to see my
out-of-town friends on a consistent basis every year. I also just love
soaking up 2, 3, 4 movies a day. I always come away from the festival
inspired. Because SXSW has always been a champion of smaller, DIY work,
you come away with that, "Hell yeah, I could do that!" kind of feeling.
What is the SXSW SuperMeetup, and who is it open to -- can anyone can attend, or do you need a badge?
Agnes: It's an unofficial meet-up of film editors. They have organized the meet-up at other conferences, the biggest being NAB. It's free for badgeholders, $5 for all others. Proceeds are benefiting AFS, which we really appreciate!
Tell us more about the AMAC - Austin Film Society screenings at the Hideout, including highlights.
Bryan: Every year, SXSW gives up some programming space to a few of the other
film organizations in town -- AFS, Reel Women and the Austin School of
Film, to present whatever they'd like. We do an open call for short
films to our Filmmaker-level members (of which there are about 500). We
always get a big response -- a record 77 submissions came in this year --
and we chose 14 to showcase. We've got some amazingly talented
filmmakers, so be sure to come to those screenings.
Which movies are you especially looking
forward to seeing?
Agnes:
- War Don Don - produced by Academy Award nominee Francisco Bello
- All My Friends are Funeral Singers - heard about this one at Sundance and want to catch it
- Beijing Taxi - made by a very talented emerging maker
- Citizen Architect - made by local filmmaker Sam Douglas about my AFS colleague Sarah Ann Mockbee's famous father, architect Samual Mockbee (after-party at Rabbit's!)
- Richard Garriott: Man on a Mission - I'm kind of a Richard Garriott fan, though I didn't know it until I found myself wanting to see this!
- The Happy Poet - locally produced film that I haven't seen yet
Bryan: Well, like I said, I've got a lot of friends who come into town, plus those filmmakers who we have supported in various ways through AFS. Clay Liford's Earthling, Sam Douglas's Citizen Architect, Bruce Bryant's For the Sake of the Song, Paul Gordon's The Happy Poet and Amy Elliot and Liz Donius's World's Largest all went through the Docs- and Narratives-in-Progress series, so I have to go see how the final versions turned out!
Any big plans or events for AFS in 2010?
Agnes: In the spring, we are going to do another big "Make Watch Love Film" party - we will be celebrating a bunch of Austin film milestones, including Alison Macor's new book, Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids -- it's a great look at the last 30 years of film history in the area. I learned more from reading that than I have in 2+ years at AFS!
Bryan: The Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund will be open for applications starting in a few weeks. June 1 will be the deadline. Filmmakers take note! You can apply for up to $15,000 for your film!
[Photo credit: Agnes Varnum and Bryan Poyser at Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Fest (LAFF), courtesy of Bryan Poyser]