Slackery News Tidbits, December 8

I've already mentioned the Austin films that will be part of the Sundance 2011 lineup, but that's not the only Austin-related movie news this week. Here's a summary of other things going on in town:

• "The Alamo Drafthouse is not responsible for any Santa-induced psychological trauma." Fantastic Fest 2010 favorite Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is opening Friday for a weeklong run at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar. Tickets are on sale now -- look for our review tomorrow. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can have your picture taken with a "feral Santa" in a cage in the Drafthouse lobby. I think I may have just found our holiday card for 2011 ... 
• Over at Austin360, Matthew Odam profiles local filmmaker (Lovers of Hate) and Austin Film Society staffer Bryan Poyser. Want to know why you probably won't see Poyser in town for the next few months? Read this article and find out. And then you can read Poyser's blog for more details.
• Speaking of AFS, they're hosting a special preview screening of True Grit at the Paramount next Wednesday, Dec. 15, with an after-party at The Belmont. The Coen brothers' latest film was shot primarily around Central Texas, including at Austin Studios. AFS members can get tickets until 5:30 today with none of the annoying extra fees; the Paramount will start selling tickets to the general public tomorrow at noon. Ticket proceeds will go to the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund.
• IndieWIRE has posted a great article called "Meet the SXSW Film Programmers." Check it out for profiles on the people who put together the largest film festival in the city. (Helpful hint: the article is two pages long, you just have to scroll a bit to find the Next link.)
• Local filmmaker Don Swaynos noted on Facebook this week that the Bastrop gas station featured in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original or the remake? anyone?) is currently up for sale. Would make a great barbecue joint! Or not.
• If you are seeing Black Swan this weekend -- and damn, you really should, it's amazing -- the trailer for Terrence Malick's Central Texas-shot film The Tree of Life will be playing before the movie. Let us know what you think, because they didn't show it before the Black Swan press screenings. (One of the few times in my life I would not have minded a trailer.)
• Finally, this Saturday seems like a perfect time for a day trip: down to San Antonio for the fourth annual San Antonio Local Film Festival. The fest will take place at the Alamo Drafthouse Park North from 10 am to 8 pm. The full schedule won't be posted to the website until Friday, but the closing film will be The Powderkids, a feature shot in San Antonio and Austin.