Austin Movie News, Briefly (Fantastic Fest-Free Edition)

Zoe Bell at Grindhouse premiere in Austin, April 2007For those of you who want a break from our Fantastic Fest coverage (which has only just begun, to channel The Carpenters slightly), here's a round-up of other film news and events around Austin:

  • Catch the documentary Please Vote for Me on Wednesday night at 7 pm at Alamo Ritz, as part of the Austin Film Society's Texas Doc Tour. Doc Tour screenings often sell out in advance; get tickets on the AFS website. [via Austinist]
  • You might spot celebrities in Austin from the production of Whip It during the next week -- keep an eye out for Ellen Page, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, and other cast members. My big question: Will there be Zoe Bell (shown at right)? [via the Statesman's Out and About blog]
  • Segments from the first three seasons of the KLRU-TV show Downtown, about different aspects of the Austin downtown scene, are now available to watch online. Film-related segments include profiles of The Paramount Theatre, QT Fest, local zombies, and Alamo Drafthouse (the old one on Colorado). Vanity moment: You can catch a glimpse of me in that Alamo segment during the Ultimate Garlic Experience.
  • If you like making movies in a hurry, there's still time to sign up for the Austin Film Race this weekend. You and your team make an original short film in 24 hours and the films all screen at the Dobie on Friday, September 25. And of course there are lots of prizes and stuff. The event is put on by the Diesel Film Racing Tour, with help locally from Austin Film Festival.