Gift Guide, Cinema-Style

Paramount100 launches in January

Film lover on your list?

We've already given you plenty to think about as far as box sets are concerned, and our feelings on DVDs (of course) and video games (yes, please) are on their way, but here are a few ideas for holiday gift-giving that are a little less conventional … and harder to guess by their box shape.

Paramount100 Badges

The centennial of Congress' grand dame may be 22 months away, but they're already diving in to celebrations. With Paramount100: A Century of Cinema, the programming team brings all the fun of the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series to audiences year-round. Badges are on sale now for $99 ($84 for Film Fans) for the first segment, which runs through May; read more about the series, which kicks off next month, on the Paramount website.

Austin Film Festival Snowflake Sales

"No two are alike and there's no telling when they will begin or end!" taunts the press release. But if you watch the festival's social media channels (emails, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, what have you) between Friday, Dec. 13, an Tuesday, Dec. 24, you might spot a few deals for the film lovers in your life. Discounted badges? Doesn't hurt to dream.

Film Movement Film-of-the-Month Club

DVD or streaming, one-off or box sets, a month or a year – this gift for film lovers is totally customizable. For just $11.25 a month, you can get streaming access to the Film Movement digital catalog, with new films added each month. Upcoming releases include the submissions for Foreign Language Academy Award category from Singapore, Chad, and Afghanistan. Plus, get an additional 15% off with coupon code HOLIDAY2013. You can thank us later.

Alamo Drafthouse Gift Cards

Let's be honest: All we really want for Christmas is for the South Lamar theatre to finish construction soon. But in the meantime, a gift card to the cinema is just what the doctor ordered, and with four other local theatres ready and willing to take your order, we bet you won't hold out forever. That damned salted caramel milkshake beckons.

Tax-Deductible Donations

Many nonprofit organizations – the historic Paramount and State Theatres, for example, the Austin Film Society, or the newly minted Austin Creative Alliance member Juegos Rancheros – will gladly accept your donations any time of year. But with year-end generosity at its peak (maybe it's the eggnog?) and the end of the fiscal year upon us, now might be the best time to consider that option in earnest, either for yourself or in someone else's name.

Want more gift guide goodness? Check out all our suggestions at austinchronicle.com/giftguide.