Short Cuts

If it seems as though you've seen numerous mentions of filmmaker Kyle Henry in these pages recently it's because, well, you have. May has been a big month for him. We ran a story on Henry a couple of issues back when his documentary American Cowboy was featured as part of the ongoing Texas Documentary Tour. The same week, a short piece he made with Spencer Parsons about the contested closing of the Texas Union Theatre, "Orson Welles, Not Taco Bells" aired on John Pierson's cable TV show Split Screen. Now comes news that Henry's American Cowboy has been recognized (by the same outfit that hands out the Oscars each March) as a regional winner in the documentary feature category of the Student Academy Awards. Gosh. As we extend our congratulations, we can only wonder what new accomplishments Henry's planning on adding to his résumé in June...

It seems like only last year that American Cowboy was one of the nearly two dozen recipients of a Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund (TFPF) grant, so that seems the perfect way to illustrate the fact that it's TFPF submission deadline time again. In this, the third year of the fund (which is administered by the Austin Film Society), the goal is to award grants to producers of non-commercial film and video projects that demonstrate promise, skill, and creativity. In its first two years of existence, the TFPF has granted over $80,000 to 32 Texas artists. In September another $50,000 will be awarded to locally produced projects. Intent to Apply cards are due in by June 1 (final applications by July 1) and application tip sheets are also available upon request and with a SASE. The tips and application forms are also available on the website, http://www.austinfilm.org/tfpf. Or write to the Austin Film Society, 3109 N. I-35, Austin, TX, 78722, e-mail them at [email protected], or call 322-0145...

Another way to finance your movie is to host a benefit for yourself. That's what Jeannette Kassem ("Cow Tipping," "Midnight Tacos") will be doing this Thursday, May 28, 10pm, at the Continental Club. Her short film, "An Idyl" is based on the Guy de Maupassant story and she will also be holding an open casting call at the show. The benefit music bill includes Belmont Hall, Silver Scooter, Golden Arm Trio, and Tunji. For more info call 459-2278...

The regular end-of-the-month meetings of the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (AIVF) have gone on hiatus for the summer, reports programmer Ben Davis. Although he does advise folks to look for some upcoming screenings planned for the summer...

Happy anniversary to the Alamo Drafthouse, which is celebrating its first anniversary of operation this Thursday, May 28, at 7pm, with a screening of Like Water for Chocolate accompanied by the four-course dinner pictured in the film. Dinner includes rosemary chicken soup, chile rellenos with pomegranates and walnut sauce, quail with rose petal sauce, Mexican hot chocolate, three kings bread, and wine. The cost is $25 and the purchase of advance tickets is recommended. Call 867-1839 or visit http://www.drafthouse.com for more info. Other news from the Alamo includes a programming expansion that includes afternoon matinee screenings of select midnight features - starting this weekend with Viva Las Vegas and continuing next weekend with Delicatessen...

And what with the new Tinseltown South's round-the-clock screenings this weekend of Godzilla (3am, 4am, 6am, anyone?) there should be plenty of daylight hours to catch some other monsters of film.