Austin Film Festival 2011 – Previewing the week to come
As a resident of Austin, Texas, I find myself going to one film festival more than any other, and have been going every year since I moved here 4 years ago. In a lot of ways, I view it as my own personal getaway for a week, even if it’s held in my hometown. The pacing is relaxed, the atmosphere is great, and the scheduling is easy-going. It’s also my opportunity to catch up on films that, admittedly, have probably already screened in Venice, Toronto, Telluride and New York Film Festivals. Many of these films are potential Oscar contenders. Every year I use Austin Film Festival as a gauge of the Oscar season, to get a better sense of what are real contenders and what aren’t. But honestly, I just want to see some great films here, and this year’s program is packed to the brim with them.