Film Flam

Jack Rebney in the original Winnebago Man tapes

Sad news from the Winnebago Man filmmaking team: Jack Rebney, the subject of Ben Steinbauer's award-winning film and just about the sweetest "Angriest Man in the World," lost his home to the Ponderosa wildfire last week.

The film traced the explosive popularity of a bootleg video of a disastrous Winnebago promotional shoot that starred Rebney in sweaty, epically profane meltdown ("My mind is just a piece of shit this morning"). The filmmakers tracked Rebney down at his mountain cabin in Northern California, where he had gone to live peacefully with his books and his dog Buda. (Read more about the film and its aftermath in the Chronicle's 2010 interview with Rebney and Steinbauer, "Happy Accidents,".)

The filmmakers report that both Rebney and Buda are okay, but that his home and belongings were completely destroyed. They're currently soliciting "well wishes and words of encouragement" for a guy who's brought a lot of pleasure to viral video watchers; you could also show him a kindness and donate money for his relocation. You can contact Rebney at the below address:

Jack Rebney
P.O. BOX 492
Manton, CA 96059

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The Austin Film Festival runs October 18-25, but the unofficial kickoff always happens the day before with is annual Film & Food party at the Driskill Hotel. This year's honorary chair is Robert Rodriguez, who'll host an evening of auctions and delicious nibbles from Foreign & Domestic, Olive & June, Swift's Attic, Haddington's, and more. The event benefits AFF's Young Filmmakers Program. More info and ticket prices available here.

AFF is also looking for volunteers to help out with the festival. Put in enough time and you'll be compensated with a film pass or badge. More info about here.

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In June, The Independent named University of Texas alums and filmmaking team Jason Cortlund and Julia Halperin as one of its "10 Filmmakers To Watch in 2012." And it just got a whole lot easier to watch: Argot Pictures will distribute their debut feature Now, Forager theatrically this fall. The film premieres Oct. 3 at New York's IFC Center, then hits up various cities throughout the fall. Alas, no word yet on an Austin opening date. The film has also secured distribution deals throughout Europe as well as a DVD/VOD release in Australia.

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A post-production vet of Terrence Malick's To the Wonder and Tree of Life, Shane Hazen is about to shoot his first feature, Here/ThereNow/Year Ago, in Austin this month. He has an interesting strategy to get the word out – and the money rolling in: A short video in which his cast reads aloud their favorite filthy bon mots from the script. And, seriously, we're not kidding about filthy: Not safe for work or small children. But funny.

An IndieGoGo campaign is currently underway, and this Friday, Sept. 9, 8pm, there will be a fundraiser event at Club DeVille called HereWeGoGo: A Music & Comedy Giving Bash. The lineup includes Ramin Nazer, Maggie Maye, Chris Tellez, and the film’s female lead Ashley Barnhill, plus musical performances by Geography, Hello Caller, and Act Rights.

Click on the link below to be directed to the promo video.

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