Slackery News Tidbits: September 9, 2013

Here's the latest Austin and Texas film news:

• The Houston Film Commission's Texas Filmmaker's Showcase will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 8 pm at The Marchesa. The 90-minute screening will include six of Texas-made short films selected by a jury panel, including Austin filmmakers Craig Whitney (Jordan's interview) and Kat Candler. Some of the filmmakers will be in attendance for a Q&A. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Austin Film Society Grant.
• Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of Alamo Drafthouse, announced its partnership with fellow distribution company Cinedigm for home-entertainment releases, beginning next year.
• In more Drafthouse news, Fantastic Fest lead features programmer Rodney Perkins selected the Austin-shot short The Quiet Girl's Guide to Violence for Fangoria's latest installment of its "Screamers" series, available to watch online. The dark comedy premiered at Fantastic Fest 2012.
• On the heels of Fantastic Fest, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Keanu Reeves will take on Alamo Drafthouse CEO and co-founder Tim League during the event's annual Fantastic Debates, after the screening of Reeves' directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi on Sept. 21. Reeves will debate League, then the film's star, boxing martial artist Tiger Hu Chen will take on League in the ring.
• The New York Times profiled Austinite Andrew Bujalski (Computer Chess) and Dallas native Terrence Nance (An Oversimplication of Her Beauty) in its "20 Directors to Watch." 
• Actor and former Austin Film Festival programmer John Merriman is now blogging for the Moontower Comedy Festival. The ubiquitous actor/comedian recently received kudos from The Austin Chronicle for his current work.
• The Arizona Underground Film Festival has recognized Austinite Geoff Marslett's Lone Star Award-winning film Loves Her Gun (Don's review), which will screen Sept. 14 in Tucson.
• Finally, the SXSW 2013 Grand Jury and Audience Awards winner Short Term 12 opens at Alamo Slaughter, Violet Crown and Regal Arbor theaters on Friday, Sept. 20. The drama follows the experiences of a twentysomething supervising staff member of a foster-care facility.