Slackery News Tidbits, August 16

Here's the latest Austin film news.

• The SXSW Panel Picker is now open for voting. You can give a thumbs-up on any panel suggestions you'd like to see at the SXSW Film Festival next March. A number of the 177 SXSW Film proposals are from Austin folks or feature Austinites in the panel. Of course I'll naturally suggest you take a look at Jenn Brown's panel proposal: "Removing Barriers Between Press, PR and Producers" (and vote for it!). If you'd like to promote a panel, feel free to do so in the comments.
• In case you hadn't noticed, aGLIFF has been slowly releasing their 2011 film festival lineup, with lots of posters and previews available through their Facebook page. We'll have more details on the lineup soon, but in the meantime check out their full schedule. The fest takes place from Sept. 6-11 this year at three venues: Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, Violet Crown Cinema and the Paramount. Not to mention the party venues, and you know aGLIFF has some of the best fest parties in Austin.
• Speaking of local film festivals, Fantastic Fest is gearing up and their notorious annual bumper contest is now underway. You have until September 5 to submit a very short film with the theme "Altered States" that ends with the fest's traditional "That's fantastic!" phrase. These bumpers always make me wish I had any filmmaking talent (and more time) to try one myself.
• Another filmmaking opportunity: Drafthouse Films is seeking a 26th short film for their The ABC's of Death anthology. They're accepting submissions for the "T is for ..." slot through October 1. You can see and vote on the current submissions. Let's get some Austin filmmakers in there, please ... better yet, some female Austin filmmakers. You know who you are. Go for it!
• I'm planning to go to the Slacker screening at Alamo Ritz tonight ... yes, that's the original movie directed by Richard Linklater, which I've never seen in a theater and it's high time. Before the movie, local filmmaker Berndt Mader will show his segment from Slacker 2011, the "Been on the Moon Since the 50s" scene ... have you read our interview with him about it? Tonight's Slacker screening, like Slacker 2011, is a benefit for the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund.
• If you like pie, SafePlace and Keri Russell, mark your calendar for Sunday, August 21 at 1 pm at Alamo on South Lamar. Better yet, buy tickets now for Austin Food Bloggers Alliance's special screening of Waitress, a fundraiser for SafePlace. They're going to serve pie during the movie and sell whole pies afterward.
• Finally, my favorite online short film this week is from Austin filmmaker Joe Nicolosi, the man behind the great SXSW bumpers this year such as Mario Bros. Indie Film Trailer. His latest film, Kittywood Studios: Cat Videos Incorporated, is not only funny but very clever. Filmmaker Magazine included Nicolosi in this year's "25 New Faces of Independent Film," and you can see why in the following video.