Phone your employers, write those excuse notes for the kids: Monday, April 5 is
King of the Hill Day in Austin -- and by all that is just, we think the day should be declared a legal holiday and become the capstone of a three-day weekend ... each and every year. We promise we would dedicate the annual celebration to tending our lawns and cooking up some righteous barbecue. Oh, but wait, the plans are already in the works.
King of the Hill Day is the official kick-off event of the week-long
Big Stinkin' Improv and Sketch Comedy Festival 4. The celebration begins on Monday with a free-to-the-public barbecue, noon-2pm, at Auditorium Shores, during which
Mayor Kirk Watson will honor the
Mike Judge and
Greg Daniels-created show with a proclamation making the day official. The Auditorium Shores celebration will include lawnmower races, the world's largest barbecue grill (hope it's fired with propane), a rib-eating contest, and more. It's sponsored by RC Cola, 101X, and FOX Channel 7. (Now, if only we could get FOX to do something about that dang rude Tuesday time slot.) Later that evening at the Paramount, 7pm, the FOX Broadcasting Company will host the premiere of
King of the Hill: The Austin Episodes, two never-been-seen, Austin-inspired shows. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Mike Judge, Greg Daniels,
Kathy Najimy (voice of Peggy Hill),
Stephen Root (voice of Bill Dauterive),
Johnny Hardwick (voice of Dale Gribble), and other show writers, directors, producers, and voice talent. For ticket info call 469-SHOW; prices are $14, $17, and $24. Also throughout the week as part of the festival, there will be screenings at the Dobie of material from
Mad TV,
South Park, and other funny stuff. So really, boss, I won't be in on Monday, but I promise to bring you a note from the mayor...
The deadline for submitting screenplays to the 1999 Heart of Film Screenwriters Competition is just around the corner: May 15. This year the competition has established a new category for comedy, in addition to its family and adult categories. The festival also hosts a film competition and that deadline is August 7. Categories include feature films, shorts, and student shorts. As well as prize money, winners receive airfare reimbursement, hotel accommodations during the conference (October 7-14), complimentary registration, and other goodies. For more info, entry requirements, or registration forms call 800/310-FEST, write to AHFF Inc., 1604 Nueces, Austin, TX, 78701, or visit http://www.austinfilmfestival.org, or...
Another regional festival soliciting submissions is San Antonio's Golden Shower Video Festival (also known as the San Antonio Underground Film Festival). Their mission is simple: Showcase independent films in the Alamo City. Films can be feature-length or short, but must be dubbed onto VHS. The deadline for submission is April 28; the festival takes place June 11 and 12 at the campus of the Southwest School of Art and Craft. All selected entries will receive a T-shirt and such prizes as a lowrider bicycle and miniature accordion will be awarded. Entry forms and other info can be downloaded from the fest's Web site at http://arocha.home.texas.net...
Fans of John Pierson's irreverent TV show about independent filmmaking, Split Screen, will want to set their dials for the start of the new season on Monday, April 5. The show airs on the Independent Film Channel at 7pm local time. For more info, see http://www.ifctv.com or http://www.grainypictures.com.
