Slackery News Tidbits, August 2

Isn't it a lovely day for Austin film news! Lots of interesting tidbits to catch up on:

• Traverse City Film Festival really does love Austin: The Happy Poet (Jenn's review) won the Michigan fest's Fiction Prize for Emerging Talent this weekend, sharing the award with SXSW 2010 film Tiny Furniture (my review). I spotted a few other SXSW selections in the list of award-winning films, plus one for Gasland, which played Marfa FF and has a few scenes in Texas (and which you all should see).
• The good news: John Pierson's master classes, which took place in the spring, were recorded and will be broadcast on KUT again this year. The bad news: They're part of "O'Dark 30," which airs from midnight to 3 am. Maybe you can find a way to set a timer to record them. We just missed last night's, but three are left: Elizabeth Avellan, Timur Bekmambetov, and Richard Linklater with Alison Macor.
• Speaking of Linklater and good/bad news, I'm happy to report that Me and Orson Welles is finally getting its much-deserved DVD release on August 17. However, it will only be available from Target. No word yet on when a wider release is planned, or when we might see a Blu-ray. So if you want to buy locally, you may have to hang in there. (Thanks to Annie for the heads-up!)
• SXSW has just announced it is "open for business" for its 2011 festival -- you can register for the Film Conference and Festival, or submit your film for consideration. Remember, it's way cheaper now than later.
• Alamo Drafthouse wants to hire some more hosts for their special events. Here's the description -- do you think you'd make a good host? You have until next Monday, August 9 to send them a video.
• Do you have plans for Sunday, August 15? St. Edward's University is hosting a Bubba Ho-tep Festival. Bob Ivy, who played the title character in the 2002 film, plans to be there along with the film's stunt coordinator Gary Kent, and local author/film writer Joe O'Connell. Festivities will include an Elvis look-alike contest and a JFK trivia contest ... and of course, a screening of Bubba Ho-tep. O'Connell has been working on a documentary of Kent, so you may see some cameras floating about too.
• David Lowery noted on Twitter that he has just finished recording a commentary track for his beautiful SXSW 2009 feature St. Nick, shot primarily in the DFW area. This (hopefully) means we'll see a DVD soon. I'm keeping an eye out for official announcements, as I can't wait to see the film again.
• Machete is having its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 1. As Victor Diaz pointed out, the movie opens in wide release on September 3, which means there's not enough time in there for a special premiere of the Austin-shot film here in Austin. Damn!
• Finally, pssst! The Paramount is giving away free movie passes, plus a chance to win a film party for yourself and 50 friends. Pass it on!