Insider's Guide: Free Movies at Austin Public Library
Over the years, Slackerwood has published a number of special guides covering free and cheap summer films and all manner of assistance for film festivals, including survivor guides, newbie guides and our food guides, which are so popular that for SXSW 2011 we collaborated with the fest on a printed restaurant guide. They're so much fun to write that we decided to make them a monthly feature. We're expanding the topics, too, to help Austinites and those who visit our city make the most of the Austin film scene. And what better way to kick off this new series than with one of Austin's best kept secrets: frequent free movies at many branches of the Austin Public Library.
I’m not talking only about arcanely obscure films; APL's diverse programming includes family fare, topical documentaries, classic foreign language films and even a series that celebrates bad movies. The selections are both old and very new, including 2011 releases. Next month APL is kicking off a new year of "Community Cinema," which starts with a local premiere of a documentary that won't air on PBS until October, and includes a special post-screening discussion with relevant community organizations related to each film in the series.
Most Austin Public Library film programs run weekly or in some cases monthly on the same time/day of the week, and programming is offered at different branches around the city. All APL programs are free and open to the public. And even better, some screenings include light refreshments, such as popcorn. Who can top that? Just remember that food and drink can only be consumed in designated areas per APL policy. Ratings have been included in our listings when available, but not all films have been MPAA reviewed, so keep in mind not all are appropriate for all audiences.
Whether you’re looking to impress a date with arthouse fare, enjoy a night out with the family that doesn’t break your budget, expand your mind, take a trip down memory lane, or just find something to do to get out of the heat or the house, consider Austin Public Library part of your free film repertoire.
Current Austin Public Library Film Series:
The aGLIFF Tuesday Underground Film Series @ Oak Springs Library (3101 Oak Springs Dr)
The final screening in this series is tonight. Outside popcorn/soda allowed.
8/30: The Seminarian, directed by Joshua Lim, 2010 (NR)
Weeknight Cinema: Travels Through Time @ Milwood Branch (12500 Amherst Dr)
Tuesday nights through September 13 starting at 6:30pm
8/30: 12 Monkeys, directed by Terry Gilliam, 1995 (R)
9/6: Ghost World, directed by Terry Zwigoff, 2001 (R)
9/13: American Splendor, directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, 2003 (R)
Community Cinema @ Windsor Park Branch (5833 Westminster Dr)
Presented in partnership with KLRU-TV. Post-screening discussions with related organizations about the social issues brought up during the film. Light refreshments provided. First Tuesdays of the month through June 2012, at 7pm.
9/6: Peace Unveiled (airing on PBS in October as part of the Women, War & Peace series)
10/4: DeAf Jam, directed by Judy Lieff, 2010 (NR)
11/1: We Still Live Here (Âs Nutayuneân), directed by Anne Makepeace, 2010 (NR)
12/6: Lioness, directed by Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, 2008 (NR)
Bad Film Festival @ Carver Branch (1161 Angelina St)
Join APL for a series of American movies that are notable for their lack of quality, whether it is in writing, acting, effects or all of the above. "No one will be forced to stay in the theater after the first 10 minutes!" Screenings on Thursday nights at 6 pm through 10/6.
9/8: Bucket of Blood, directed by Roger Corman, 1959 (NR)
9/15: 1 Million Years B.C., directed by Don Chaffey, 1966 (NR)
9/29: Wild in the Streets, directed by Barry Shear, 1968 (NR)
10/6: Zachariah, directed by George Englund, 1971 (NR)
Polish Film Series @ Howson Branch (2500 Exposition Blvd)
Presented in partnership with the Austin Polish Society, Monthly on second Tuesdays through 12/13, at 6:30 pm
9/13: Illumination (Iluminacja), directed by Kryzsztof Zanussi, 1972 (NR)
10/11: Twists of Fate (Korowód), directed by Jerzy Stuhr, 2007 (NR)
11/8: Everything for Sale (Wszystko na Sprzeda), directed by Andrzej Wajda, 1969 (NR)12/13: The Reverse (Rewers), directed by Borys Lankosz, 2009 (NR)
Family Movie Night @ Twin Oaks Branch (1800 S. Fifth St)
Tuesday nights 9/13 through 12/13, at 6:30 pm
9/13: Rio, directed by Carlos Saldanha, 2011 (G)
10/11 Mars Needs Moms, directed by Simon Wells, 2011 (PG)
11/8: Yogi Bear, directed by Eric Brevig, 2010 (PG)
12/13: Kung Fu Panda 2, directed by Jennifer Yuh, 2011 (PG)
Music in Movies: High Fidelity @ Yarborough Branch (2200 Hancock Dr)
Popcorn and refreshments will be provided. Thursday nights 9/15-11/17 at 6:30 pm
9/15: High Fidelity, directed by Stephen Frears, 2000 (R)
10/20: Almost Famous, directed by Cameron Crowe, 2000 (R)
11/17: Once, directed by John Carney, 2006 (R)
Family Matinee Series @ Howson Branch (2500 Exposition Blvd)
Two remaining screenings on Saturday 9/17 and 10/22 at 2 pm
9/17: Jason and the Argonauts, directed by Don Chaffey, 1963 (NR)
10/22: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, 1982 (PG)
Family Movie Night @ Pleasant Hill Branch (211 E. William Cannon Dr.)
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, 9/20 through 11/15
9/20: Yogi Bear, directed by Eric Brevig, 2010 (PG)
10/18: Megamind, directed by Tom McGrath, 2010 (PG)
11/15: Lemonade Mouth, directed by Patricia Riggen, 2011 (G)
You can also check out the APL twitter account at @AustinPublicLib and the APL News page for updates on all their programs.
[Photo credit: "Americana" by Staci Myers;"The Library" by Randy Haaga; "Twin Oaks Branch, Austin Public Library" by Jessamyn West. Found on Flickr; used under Creative Commons licenses.]