TFPF Announces 2011 Panelists
Every year, Austin Film Society awards grants to emerging film and video artists in the Lone Star State through the Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund (TFPF). Since its inception in 1996, the AFS has awarded over 300 grants,
totaling over $1 million in cash and over $100,000 in goods and services to almost 300 projects. In addition to grants for production, post-production and
distribution, the TFPF has provided approximately $21,000 in stipends to Texas filmmakers
traveling to prestigious film festivals.
Past TFPF grant recipients have screened their films at renowned festivals around the world including Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto as well as right here in Austin at SXSW. One such project is Katrina's Son (pictured right), which was awarded a TFPF grant in 2008, then premiered at AFF last year and at the Cannes International Festival's Short Film Corner this year. Several TFPF-funded movies have been released theatrically and in the cable and home video markets.
This year AFS received 208 applications, and at least $90,000 will be awarded in cash, goods and services to emerging filmmakers in Texas. AFS invites three distinguishd filmmakers from outside of Texas to participate in grant applications review. Members of this year's panel were recently announced, and include Independent Spirit Award nominee Barry Jenkins (Medicine for Melancholy), Sundance Institute producer-in-residence Anne Lai, and Independent Spirit Award-winner Ian Olds (Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi). During the panelists' visit to Austin for the review process, special screenings will be presented by Austin Film Society. Find out more and watch one of the featured short films after the jump.
Special screenings of films by this year's panelists will take place on August 21 at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar and include:
- Short Films by Barry Jenkins (7 pm)
- Ian Olds' Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi (9:30 pm)
Admission to the screenings is free for AFS members, with general admission for $8. Tickets are available through the Austin Film Society here.
Get a sneak peek and watch Barry Jenkins' first short film My Josephine below:
MY JOSEPHINE (Dir. Barry Jenkins, 2003, 8min) from Barry Jenkins on Vimeo.