Reel Women Host Movie Hoot

Two venerated Austin traditions -- a vibrant local film scene and the enduring practice of the "hoot nite" -- meet Thursday, May 2, at Club DeVille, where local bands Tosca, Fivehead, and more will gather to make like little Ennio Morricones and offer up their own renditions of classic film themes at a soirée hosted by Austin nonprofit Reel Women.

A support network for women filmmakers of all levels of experience, Reel Women has been a strong presence in the local film scene -- best known for their August film festival -- since their inception in 1995. Their mission is three-pronged: to aid in the education of women in film, to pool collective available resources within the organization, and to foster a supportive, creative atmosphere for Austin women in film. To that end, the organization hosts workshops for filmmakers, publishes a Crew Book that collects the contact information for Austin women available for film and video work, and co-sponsors film series, such as the recent "Actresses of the Silent Screen" program at the Alamo Drafthouse. "But," notes Executive Director Sherry Mills, "we rarely have social events. We wanted to create a social occasion and a networking event for women, and since Austin is such a film and music community, this is the first thing we thought of that really combines the two."

All in all, the movie hoot promises to be a night of fine entertainment whose very nature happens to highlight the importance of its cause. Bands looking to include a few tunes by female composers among their Hermann, Rota, and Mancini covers might (aside from the versatile Rachel Portman) find themselves hard-pressed -- an indication of the vital role that organizations like Reel Women can play.

Reel Women's Movie Hoot takes place May 2, 8pm, at Club DeVille (900 Red River). Admission is $10/general; $7/Reel Women members. For more info call 448-9090 or visit www.reelwomen.org.