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2017 Fantastic Fest: Final wave of programming announced

September 5, 2017

The following is a press release from Fantastic Fest:

Alamo Drafthouse’s Fantastic Fest is proud to announce its final wave of big-screen bizarro from all corners of the cinematic world with Alexander Payne’s masterpiece-in-miniature, DOWNSIZING, bestowed the honor of closing night film. Fantastic-Fest first-timers making their way to Austin include Cory Finley and his razor sharp debut THOROUGHBRED, and fan-favorite tough guy extraordinaire Frank Grillo, who will be on hand to flex some muscle for the World Premiere of his nail-biting getaway drama, WHEELMAN.

In keeping with world premieres, Fantastic Fest is proud to announce a fistful of titles that will receive their big screen bows. Screen great Barbara Crampton will be in attendance with director Bradford Baruh for a ride in his chilling APPLECART, featuring over forty minutes of zero gravity footage; Russia’s SALYUT-7 is guaranteed to pop 3D eyes; HAUNTERS: THE ART OF THE SCARE walks us through the world’s most terrifying haunted houses; and TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID delivers a contemporary fairytale from within the world of the mexican cartels.

“I’m incredibly proud of the vast array of filmmaking on display in this year’s program,” said Fantastic Fest Creative Director Evrim Ersoy. “From the most highly acclaimed studio titles to the smallest independent debuts, it’s exhilarating to embrace unique creativity from the four corners of the world. Bringing filmmakers together in a program that highlights the increasing diversity of cinema is truly an honor that we can’t wait to share with our audience.”

Female filmmakers once again deliver powerful voices with three of the most dynamic films of the festival. Angel Robinson will be in attendance to share the controversially kinky true story behind the year’s biggest superhero with PROFESSOR MARSTON & THE WONDER WOMEN; Lisa Bruhlmann makes a stunning entrance with her fantastical coming-of-age debut BLUE MY MIND; and not to be outdone, first time feature-maker Coralie Fargeat turns the revenge genre upside down with her outrageous femme fatale fiesta, REVENGE.

A mainstay of Fantastic Fest has been showcasing world cinema’s finest exports and this year is no exception. Asia basks in the glory of master Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s return to the apocalyptic fold with BEFORE WE VANISH (Japan), while his countryman Sôichi Umezawa delivers the outlandish midnight spectacle of VAMPIRE CLAY (Japan). South Korea represents with the year’s toughest crime caper, THE MERCILESS, and serial killer shocker V.I.P., while NYAFF award-winner BAD GENIUS represents Thailand. And Taiwan shows school students no mercy with the hyper-violent MON MON MON MONSTERS. Not to be outdone, Europe comes out swinging with Hungarian auteur Kornél Mundruczó’s follow up to WHITE GOD, the stunning JUPITER’S MOON, French filmmakers Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani splash their hyper-stylized western LET THE CORPSES TAN across the screen and Norway’s Joachim Trier delivers one of the most quietly impressive films of the year, the assured THELMA.

The world premiere of Don Hertzfeldt’s WORLD OF TOMORROW EPISODE 2: THE BURDEN OF OTHER PEOPLE’S THOUGHTS highlights an animated sidebar that pushes the medium into brave new spaces. Rounding out the fantastical trio is the debut feature from Studio Ponoc, MARY AND THE WITCHES FLOWER, from ex Studio Ghibli key animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi, and JUNK HEAD, Takahide Hori’s claymation feature that took him over seven years to complete, entirely by himself.

American Genre Film Archive makes its triumphant return to Fantastic Fest with two movies that will rot your libido in the best way. BAT PUSSY, the world’s first X-rated parody, shares the spotlight the world premiere of a brand new 2K transfer of one of the most sought-after lost films in the history of exploitation cinema in a very special secret screening. Additional rep titles include the world premiere of the Takashi Miike-approved 4K restoration of ICHI THE KILLER, the digital remaster of the seminal Indian cult movie BAASHA, and Jean Rollin’s THE NUDE VAMPIRE, presented by Kier-la Janisse in celebration of her new book Lost Girls: The Phantasmagorical Cinema of Jean Rollin.

True to form, Fantastic Fest will be re-writing reality once more with a crowded cornucopia of events that invade all corners of the fest. Gross-out grub-gorging spectacle Puke and Explode rumbles once more, notorious VHS archival warriors Everything is Terrible return with an all-new show to both delight and horrify. Rotten Tomatoes joins the fray with Your Opinion Sucks, the ultimate live discussion about the best and worst in movies and TV shows. Comedy legend Gilbert Gottfried will be performing and screening the incredible biographical doc GILBERT, and the seminal Fantastic Debates marks its 10-year anniversary of polemic pugilism in spectacular fashion.

FINAL WAVE OF FILM LINEUP BELOW:

AGFA + SOMETHING WEIRD PRESENT: BAT PUSSY and SECRET SCREENING
American Genre Film Archive makes its triumphant return to Fantastic Fest with two movies that will rot your libido in the best way. BAT PUSSY, the world’s first X-rated parody, is what happens when an anonymous smut producer gets inspired by the 1960s BATMAN TV show but only has $5. It’s also what happens when your wildest dreams and most horrifying nightmares collide in an explosion of flaccid stupefaction. Next up, after years of detective work, AGFA presents the world premiere of a brand new 2K transfer of one of the most sought-after lost films in the history of exploitation cinema.

LOST GIRLS Book Launch: THE NUDE VAMPIRE presented by Kier-la Janisse
THE NUDE VAMPIRE
France, 1970
Repertory, 88 min
Director – Jean Rollin
Jean Rollin’s THE NUDE VAMPIRE (1970) follows a sinister businessman who’s keeping a young vampire girl captive and experimenting on her in the hope that he finds the key to eternal life. The film will be screened in celebration of the launch of the new book from publisher Spectacular Optical, LOST GIRLS: THE PHANTASMAGORICAL CINEMA OF JEAN ROLLIN, the first examination of Rollin’s work to be written by all women critics, scholars and film historians, and will be introduced by the book’s publisher Kier-La Janisse.

3FT BALL & SOULS
Japan, 2017
International Premiere, 93 min
Director – Yoshio Kato
Four strangers come together to commit suicide using explosives. But they discover that every time they blow up, they’re sent back to just before they killed themselves.

APPLECART
USA, 2017
World Premiere, 86 min
Director – Bradford Baruh
An idyllic weekend vacation to a secluded cabin turns deadly when the Pollack family discovers an unconscious woman whose sinister plans will pit the family members against each other.

BAASHA
India, 1995
Repertory/International Premiere, 165 min
Director – Suresh Krissna
Superstar Rajinikanth plays a rickshaw driver with a history of violence in this genre-defining musical gangster romance epic from the director of AALAVANDHAN.

BAD GENIUS
Thailand, 2017
Texas Premiere, 130 min
Director – Nattawut Poonpiriya
A quartet of high school students are better at cheating than anything you’ve ever done in your life in this epic nail-biter about the standardized tests that level the playing field for all kids, smart and dumb, rich and poor.

BEFORE WE VANISH
Japan, 2017
North American Premiere, 129 min
Director – Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Kurosawa’s latest film is a sci-fi thriller about an invasion in which aliens must come to understand humanity through understanding human emotion – most importantly, our collective capacity for love.

BLUE MY MIND
Switzerland, 2017
North American Premiere, 97 min
Director – Lisa Brühlmann
BLUE MY MIND follows 15-year-old Mia (Luna Wedler) as she undergoes a life-changing transformation, one that leaves her examining her body and her very existence in a new light.

BRIMSTONE & GLORY
Mexico, USA, 2017
Regional Premiere, 67 min
Director – Viktor Jakovleski
Tultepec is a small Mexican town that celebrates its love of fireworks with a yearly week-long festival. This festival is captured in a glorious documentary that is pure cinema.

THE CURED
Ireland, UK, France, 2017
US Premiere, 95 min
Director – David Freyne
A zombie virus has hit the world… but it has been cured. What’s next for the ex-zombies who have returned to normal? David Freyne’s debut feature throws lots of food for thought into the mouth of your mind.

DARKLAND
Denmark, 2017
US Premiere, 113 min
Director – Fenar Ahmad
An Iraqi doctor in Denmark seeks vigilante justice for his brother’s murder when the police come up short, biting off more than he can chew in a world of gangs, drugs and underground fight rings.

DOWNSIZING
USA, 2017
Regional Premiere, 135 min
Director – Alexander Payne
Everyman Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha and move to a new downsized community in Alexander Payne’s brilliant social satire.

FIRSTBORN
Latvia, 2017
North American Premiere, 90 min
Director – Aik Karapetian
Provocative Latvian director Aik Karapetian returns to Fantastic Fest with a new thriller that explores how far a meek architect will go to protect his dignity in the eyes of his wife in the aftermath of an attack.

FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES
South Africa, 2017
US Premiere, 120 min
Director – Michael Matthews
A troubled young man returns to the town he fled as a youth and is forced to confront his past (and the town’s difficult future) in this gorgeous Sesotho language western.

GEMINI
USA, 2017
Special Screening, 93 min
Director – Aaron Katz
Our understandings of friendship, truth and celebrity are challenged when a heinous crime tests the complex relationship between a tenacious personal assistant (Lola Kirke) and her Hollywood starlet boss (Zoe Kravitz) in Aaron Katz’s latest.

GILBERT
USA, 2017
Regional Premiere, 99 min
Director – Neil Berkeley
GILBERT is the story of Gilbert Gottfried as never seen before, both a behind-the-scenes documentary and a poignant look at the life of a comedian who has more layers than most people can imagine.

GOOD MANNERS
Brazil, France, 2017
North American Premiere, 135 min
Directors – Juliana Rojas & Marco Dutra
When lonely nurse Clara is hired as a nanny by wealthy Ana, she hardly expects anything like the friendship she finds with the lonely, pregnant woman. However, both women have dark secrets which will engulf all that they hold dear.

HAUNTERS: THE ART OF THE SCARE
USA, 2017
World Premiere, 88 min
Director – Jon Schnitzer
Delving behind the scenes of one of America’s most beloved seasonal pastimes, HAUNTERS shows the world of the people who make the scariest houses, mazes and experiences that range from the traditional to the controversial.

ICHI THE KILLER – 4K RESTORATION
Japan, 2001
Repertory/World Premiere of Restoration, 129 min
Director – Takashi Miike
The yakuza occupy a murky universe with more twists and turns than the Shinjuku alleys they call home. The mysterious disappearance of a Tokyo mob boss triggers a hunt to find him, dead or alive. The search leads to the city’s most depraved clubs and sex dens and eventually to Ichi, the schizophrenic hitman behind the crime. Even more shocking is the discovery that the mastermind who hired Ichi is a fellow gangster out for revenge.

JUNK HEAD
Japan, 2017
US Premiere, 114 min
Director – Takahide Hori
Humanity is dying. It’s been 1200 years since our rebellious clone workforce moved underground, and the only way we can survive is by plunging into the depths to learn more about our terrifying creations.

JUPITER’S MOON
Hungary, Germany, 2017
North American Premiere, 123 min
Director – Kornél Mundruczó
The most ambitious science fiction film of the year is also perhaps the most visually stunning. Aryan is a refugee who finds himself with the power to levitate after being shot. Stern is a disgraced, corrupt doctor. The two will meet and alter the entire world.

LES AFFAMES
Canada, 2017
US Premiere, 100 min
Director – Robin Aubert
In the remote Quebec countryside, things are not well. A plague has infected the land, affecting almost all the residents of a small village. The survivors have to navigate their new existence as well as deal with the infected with an appetite for flesh.

LET THE CORPSES TAN
Belgium, France, 2017
US Premiere, 92 min
Directors – Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani
On a beautiful corner of the Mediterranean, Rhino and his men take refuge after the robbery of 250 kilograms of gold. The plan is simple: Wait and split. But some unwanted visitors are about to turn this idyllic corner into a bloodbath.

LETTERKENNY
Canada, 2016
US Premiere, 151 min
Director – Jacob Tierney
The spiritual successors to STRANGE BREW’s Bob and Doug MacKenzie, the rural residents of the fictitious town of LETTERKENNY deliver a hysterical slice of Canadiana in the comedy phenomenon chronicling the daily problems of hicks, skids, hockey players and Christians.

THE LINE
Slovakia, Ukraine, 2017
North American Premiere, 112 min
Director – Peter Bebjak
One line is literal, the border between Slovakia and Ukraine. Criminal Adam Krajnak (Tomas Mastalir) crosses it often, smuggling product and people. The other line is metaphorical, and crossing it leads to a death spiral of violence and vengeance.

LOVE AND SAUCERS
USA/Canada, 2017
Texas Premiere, 67 min
Director – Brad Abrahams
David Huggins, a 72-year-old man who claims to have lost his virginity as a young man to an extraterrestrial being, turned to art to express his interspecies romance and lifelong relationship with the otherworldly.

MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER
Japan, 2017
North American Premiere, 102 min
Director – Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Directing the first film out of Studio Ponoc, Hiromasa Yonebayashi (WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE) creates the dazzling and heartwarming story of an ordinary girl who becomes an extraordinary witch.

THE MERCILESS
South Korea, 2017
North American Premiere, 117 min
Director – Byun Sung-hyun
Cribbing liberally from the history of gangster films, Byun Sung-hyun’s hard-boiled Korean crime saga is filled with all manner of murder, deceit, double and triple crosses… and, oh yeah, slap-fighting.

MOM AND DAD
USA, 2017
US Premiere, 83 min
Director – Brian Taylor
Selma Blair and Nicolas Cage are seemingly ideal parents until an unknown force causes their town’s adults to murder their offspring.

MON MON MON MONSTERS
Taiwan, 2017
Regional Premiere, 112 min
Director – Giddens Ko
A bullied schoolboy is teamed up with his tormentors to do community social work. While on duty, they encounter a strange creature which they kidnap, and take bullying to a whole new level.

THE PRINCE OF NOTHINGWOOD
France, Germany, 2017
US Premiere, 85 min
Director – Sonia Kronlund
Meet Salim Shaheen: Afghani auteur, prolific actor and one-man moviemaking industry. Along with his trusted troupe of actors, he defies all the odds in the Middle East to fulfill his dreams of making movies.

PROFESSOR MARSTON & THE WONDER WOMEN
USA, 2017
US Premiere,108 min
Director – Angela Robinson
In a superhero origin tale unlike any other, this film is the incredible true story of what inspired Harvard psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston to create the iconic Wonder Woman character in the 1940s.

RABBIT
Australia, 2017
International Premiere, 99 min
Director – Luke Shanahan
After a full year, Maude is still stricken by visions of her sister Cleo’s kidnapping. Believing that Cleo is still alive, Maude undergoes a suspenseful journey to find her in this stunning, atmospheric feature debut from Luke Shanahan.

RADIUS
Canada, 2017
US Premiere, 91 min
Directors – Caroline Labrèche & Steeve Léonard
When a man wakes up from a car crash with no memory of what happened, his first instinct is to find help. However, as he gets closer to civilization and other people, an ugly truth will rear its head and affect all those who surround him.

REVENGE
France, 2017
US Premiere, 108 min
Director – Coralie Fargeat
Three rich male thrill-seekers discover that Jennifer isn’t the human sex doll that they assumed she was when they invited her on their isolated hunting getaway. Jennifer teaches them fundamental lessons about consent in a manner that they – and we – won’t soon forget.

RIFT
Iceland, 2017
Texas Premiere, 111 min
Director – Erlingur Thoroddsen
After a phone call from his ex wakes him late one night, Gunnar drives out to a secluded vacation cottage to save Einar from himself, but what awaits him there is mystery and confusion.

SALYUT-7
Russia, 2017
World Premiere, 119 min
Director – Klim Shipenko
Based on a true story, SALYUT-7 is the little-known mission to dock with an unmanned space station in order to stop it from crashing into Earth, a feat never before attempted in space history.

THELMA
Norway, 2017
Texas Premiere, 116 min
Director – Joachim Trier
A conservative young woman attending college in Oslo begins to fall in love while discovering her burgeoning supernatural powers in a stunning new film from Norway.

THOROUGHBRED
USA, 2017
Austin Premiere, 92 min
Director – Cory Finley
Two teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. In the process, they learn that neither is what she seems to be, and that a murder might solve both of their problems.

TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID
Mexico, 2017
World Premiere, 83 min
Director – Issa López
When her mother suddenly disappears with no one to care for her, young Estrella ends up on the street and joins a gang of children, triggering a dangerous and tragic chain of events in the third feature from Mexican filmmaker Lopez.

UNDER THE TREE
Iceland, Denmark, Poland, Germany, 2017
US Premiere, 89 min
Director – Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson
On the outskirts of Reykjavik, the shadow cast by a tree triggers a feud between two neighboring families, with tragic and darkly comic consequences.

V.I.P.
South Korea, 2017
International Premiere, 128 min
Director – Hoon-jung Park
A notorious serial killer who happens to be the son of a defecting DPRK official sends South Korea’s National Intelligence, police from both states and even international brass into a mad political scramble in this thrilling neo-noir.

VAMPIRE CLAY
Japan, 2017
US Premiere, 80 min
Director – Soichi Umezawa
A class of art school hopefuls is stalked by blood-thirsty, flesh-hungry clay in this bizarre practical effects-heavy horror assault from THE ABCs OF DEATH 2 segment director and longtime special makeup effects artist Umezawa.

VIDAR THE VAMPIRE
Norway, 2017
Texas Premiere, 82 min
Directors – Thomas Aske Berg & Fredrik Waldeland
Christian farmer Vidar has a boring life, living with his mom and tending sheep. When he wishes for more excitement he wakes up undead, hangs out with vampire Jesus and discovers that sometimes the party can go on too long.

WHEELMAN
USA, 2017
World Premiere, 82 min
Director – Jeremy Rush
Frank Grillo (KINGDOM; CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR) stars as the wheelman, a getaway driver thrust into a high stakes race to survive after a bank robbery goes terribly wrong. With a car full of money and his family on the line, the clock is ticking to figure out who double-crossed him and the only person he can trust… his 14-year-old daughter. All reasons to think fast and drive faster.

WORLD OF TOMORROW EPISODE TWO: THE BURDEN OF OTHER PEOPLE’S THOUGHTS
USA, 2017
World Premiere, 23 min
Director – Don Hertzfeldt
The highly anticipated follow-up to Don Hertzfeldt’s Oscar-nominated WORLD OF TOMORROW finds Emily Prime swept into the brain of an incomplete backup clone of her future self, who’s on a mission to reboot her broken mind. Continuing the tradition of the first film, WORLD OF TOMORROW EPISODE TWO was written entirely around candid audio recordings of Hertzfeldt’s five-year-old niece.

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FINAL WAVE OF FILM LINEUP BELOW:

***
Alamo Drafthouse’s Fantastic Fest is proud to announce its final wave of big-screen bizarro from all corners of the cinematic world with Alexander Payne’s masterpiece-in-miniature, DOWNSIZING, bestowed the honor of closing night film. Fantastic-Fest first-timers making their way to Austin include Cory Finley and his razor sharp debut THOROUGHBRED, and fan-favorite tough guy extraordinaire Frank Grillo, who will be on hand to flex some muscle for the World Premiere of his nail-biting getaway drama, WHEELMAN.

FINAL WAVE OF FILM LINEUP BELOW:

2017 Fantastic Fest: first wave of films announced

August 8, 2017

The following is a press release from Fantastic Fest:

Fantastic Fest, Alamo Drafthouse’s annual descent into chaos and carnage, returns for its 13th year, screaming “Yalla!” at full throttle. Loosely translated as “Let’s go,” this year’s rally cry is informed by the Arabic theme that will permeate the festival as it once again delves deep into the corners of the world’s best cinema.

“I’m proud to say that this is truly lucky thirteen for us,” said Tim League, festival founder and Alamo Drafthouse CEO. “We have another ferocious slate celebrating new and returning filmmakers from all over the world. It’s again an honor and privilege to welcome them and their brilliant, brave work.”

Kicking off proceedings with this year’s opening night film is Martin McDonagh in attendance to present the US premiere of his beautifully comic and delightfully dark tale of loss and redemption, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. S. Craig Zahler makes his triumphant return with the US premiere of 2018’s most hyper-violent slice of brute force, BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99. Not to be outmuscled, Zahler’s bringing backup in the form of the thunderous trifecta of Vince Vaughn, Don Johnson and Udo Kier. And Barry Keoghan marks his first Fantastic Fest, sharing Yorgos Lanthimos’ savage horror epic THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER for the first time in the US.

Embracing cinema spanning from Egypt to Lebanon to Iraq to Afghanistan, the festival turns an eye to celebrate the best of the region. Highlights include Egypt’s rarely seen Rocky Horror Picture Show adaptation ANYAB and the International Premiere of the box office smash AL ASLEYEEN (aka THE ORIGINALS) directed by Marwan Hamed. “It’s truly a joy to be able to showcase a variety of Arabic genre films never before seen in the US to shatter preconceptions.” said Fantastic Fest Creative Director Evrim Ersoy. “Cinema from this region is as exciting, inventive and as wild as anything we’ve ever seen and we’re here to prove it. It’s going to be a wild ride! Yalla, Habibi!”

Fantastic Fest’s global reach isn’t relegated exclusively to Arabic nations, as it has once again scoured the corners of the globe to bring the best cinema to Austin, TX. Sweden is well represented with Ruben Ostlund’s brilliantly sardonic THE SQUARE; Japan’s master of malevolence, Takashi Miike, hits a bloody century with his 100th feature, BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL; Scotland flies its flesh-eating flag with John McPhail’s zombie musical, ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE; and Austrian Oscar winner Stefan Ruzowitsky delivers a brutal and relentless ride with COLD HELL.

Maine’s finest son, Stephen King, is gorgeously represented with two standouts from Netflix’s burgeoning genre slate. GERALD’S GAME receives its US premiere along with the welcome return of Fantastic Fest alumni Mike Flanagan, who delivers a chilling adaptation of one of King’s most beloved bedside tales starring Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood. And Fantastic Fest first-timer Zak Hilditch will be in attendance to share his perfectly precise vision of King’s uber-creepy novella, 1922, for its world premiere.

Sticking with the theme of world premieres, this year’s program features a selective set of titles from first-time feature filmmakers whose wildly impressive debuts belie the depth of their filmographies. Spanish short master Yayo Herrero excels with his fantasy horror, MAUS; Bradley Buecker explores wasted youth and packs a visceral punch from the wrong side of the tracks with JUVENILE; and Lukas Feigelfeld shocks with his atmospheric exploration of a medieval hell in HAGAZUSSA – A HEATHEN’S CURSE.

Fantastic Fest alumni are well represented this year as DAN DREAM reunites KLOWN’s dynamic duo of Casper Christensen and Frank Hvam for an electric road trip back to the ’80s; GENERATION B sees WASTE LAND director Pieter Van Hees return with a mad comedy; and RON GOOSSENS: LOW-BUDGET STUNTMAN delivers the warm embrace of directors Steffen Haars and Flip van der Kuil, whose previous NEW KIDS features and BROs BEFORE HOs crushed at previous editions of Fantastic Fest.

For those unable to make the pilgrimage to Austin this September, there’s still reason to rejoice as we’ll be realizing a long-brewing strategy of bringing Fantastic Fest and its finely curated programming to three Alamo Drafthouse flagship theaters over the weekend of September 29th. Fans of the best in genre films in San Francisco, Brooklyn and Denver will all feature an exclusive slate of Fantastic Fest titles. Tickets and badges are scheduled to go on sale in the coming weeks. For more information go to fantasticfest.com

FIRST WAVE FILM LINEUP BELOW:

1922

USA, 2017

World Premiere, 101 mins

Director – Zak Hilditch

1922 is based on Stephen King’s 131-page story telling of a man’s confession of his wife’s murder. The tale is told from from the perspective of Wilfred James, the story’s unreliable narrator who admits to killing his wife, Arlette, in Nebraska. But after he buries her body, he finds himself terrorized by rats and, as his life begins to unravel, he becomes convinced his wife is haunting him.

78/52

USA, 2017

Regional Premiere, 91 min

Director – Alexandre O. Philippe

This masterful documentary focuses on a single aspect of Hitchcock’s PSYCHO to demonstrate the master’s technical ability in storytelling. With expert interviews and rollicking analysis, 78/52 sets a new bar in how to examine film overall.

ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE

Scotland, 2017

World Premiere, 107 min

Director – John McPhail

Anna’s life is dominated by the typical concerns of her youthful peers until the Christmas season in her small town brings not Santa, but an outbreak of the undead in this genre-mashing holiday horror musical. Yep. Musical.

ANYAB

Egypt, 1981

Repertory, 100 min

Director – Mohammed Shebl

ANYAB (FANGS) is an oddity worth rediscovering! An Egyptian take on THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, this eye-popping musical of madness manages to cram horror, science fiction and even social commentary together while charming with its outrageous costumes and action.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL

Japan, 2017

US Premiere, 141 min

Director – Takashi Miike

Takashi Miike’s 100th journey is an adaptation of the BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL manga. Manji, a samurai who cannot die, crosses paths with Rin Asano, a young girl whose parents were killed. Manji swears to help Rin Asano avenge her parents’ deaths.

BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99

USA, 2017

US Premiere, 132 min

Director – S. Craig Zahler

S. Craig Zahler (BONE TOMAHAWK) returns with his sophomore feature, BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99. An exhilarating exercise in analog violence, CELL BLOCK follows the brutal exploits of a former boxer who finds himself incarcerated after a drug deal goes wrong. Trapped in a maximum security facility, he must fight to stay alive and to protect those he loves.

COLD HELL

Germany, 2017

US Premiere, 91 min

Director – Stefan Ruzowitzsky

A young Turkish woman living in Vienna feels increasingly lonely after she witnesses a murder and finds herself next on the killer’s agenda in this smart and gritty thriller from the director of ANATOMY and the Oscar-winning THE COUNTERFEITERS.

DAN DREAM

Denmark, 2017

US Premiere, 97 min

Director – Jesper Rofelt

KLOWN duo Casper Christensen and Frank Hvam reunite for a true-life tale of epic failure. Witness the non-arrival of the Danish electric car!

THE ENDLESS

USA, 2017

Texas Premiere, 111 min

Directors – Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead

When brothers Justin and Aaron return to the cult that they escaped from ten years ago, they encounter a web of secrets and mysteries that threatens to tear them apart.

GENERATION B (GENERATIE B)

Belgium, 2017

ep. 1-4 = North American Premiere; ep. 5-6 = World Premiere, 210 min

Director – Pieter Van Hees

The generation gap has never been wider than it is in Pieter Van Hees’ deliriously absurd satire, pitting old generation money against Millennial apathy – and the occasional naked anarchist – following Belgium’s economic collapse.

GERALD’S GAME

USA, 2017

US Premiere, 103 mins

Director – Mike Flanagan

Flanagan unites with master of the macabre Stephen King for his cinematic interpretation of King’s beloved GERALD’S GAME. Starring Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood, GERALD’S GAME delivers pitch-perfect performances in a faithful adaptation where the horrors of the mind are much worse than what’s in front of you.

HAGAZUSSA – A HEATHEN’S CURSE

Germany, 2017

World Premiere, 102 min

Director – Lukas Feigelfeld

Set in the 15th Century in the Austrian Alps, Lukas Feigelfeld’s HAGAZUSSA takes us back to a dark period in which even the remotest parts of Europe suffered from the paranoia and superstition of the time.

JAILBREAK

Cambodia, 2017

US Premiere, 92 min

Director – Jimmy Henderson

Cambodia’s traditional martial art of bokator is unleashed in all its bone crunching fury in this action-packed tale of police trapped in the midst of a raging prison riot.

JUVENILE

USA, 2017

World Premiere, 87 min

Director – Bradley Buecker

The emotionally powerful story of Billy, an angry youth who spends his evenings stealing cars with best friend Mikey while attempting to cultivate a stable relationship with his girlfriend Jules.

THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER

Ireland / United Kingdom, 2017

US Premiere, 120 min

Director – Yorgos Lanthimos

The life of a brilliant surgeon is thrown into disarray when his friendship with a bizarre teenager threatens the lives of his entire family. Faced with a frightening choice, the man will be forced to assess all that he’s ever done.

KING COHEN

USA, 2017

US Premiere, 104 min

Director – Steve Mitchell

Featuring interviews from some of the biggest names in genre cinema including Joe Dante, Robert Forster and Fred Williamson, this documentary tells the story of one of the best and hardest working exploitation filmmakers.

MAUS

Spain, 2017

World Premiere, 90 min

Director – Yayo Herrero

Yayo Herrero’s directorial debut is a couple’s nightmare journey into the heart of darkness. A superlative horror parable, this shocking film is an indictment of modern history, war and the difficulties of reconciliation. It is a story for our times.

MY FRIEND DAHMER

USA, 2017

Texas Premiere, 107 min

Director – Marc Meyers

This is the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, a high school loner whose life would shape up to be something far more frightening than anyone could have imagined.

THE ORIGINALS

Egypt, 2017

International Premiere, 125 mins

Director – Marwan Hamed

Samir works for a bank, provides for his ever-demanding family and dreams of being in an Egyptian talent show. When he’s unexpectedly fired, Samir finds himself recruited to be part of a secret society and finds a darker side to life in Egypt.

RON GOOSSENS: LOW-BUDGET STUNTMAN

The Netherlands, 2017

North American Premiere, 78 min

Directors – Steffen Haars & Flip van der Kuil

The latest from the comedic team behind the NEW KIDS films and BROs BEFORE HOs. Ron Goossens is totally shitfaced. Only by working as a movie stuntman and bedding the hottest actress in the Netherlands can Ron save his marriage.

THE SQUARE

Sweden, 2017

US Premiere, 150 min

Director – Ruben Östlund

An art museum director’s life becomes a comedy of errors when trying to put together his latest exhibit in FORCE MAJEURE director Ruben Ostlund’s latest, which won the Palme D’Or at this year’s Cannes.

SUPER DARK TIMES

USA, 2017

Regional Premiere, 102 min

Director – Kevin Phillips

A split-second act of violence forever changes the lives of two ’90s kids. Now they must cope with both the fallout of that moment and the pressures of high school in this clever and bloody coming-of-age thriller.

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

USA, 2017

US PREMIERE, 110 min

Director – Martin McDonagh

A grieving mother takes drastic measures in an attempt to catch her daughter’s killer. Challenging the police to solve the case, she posts a series of billboards that threaten the fabric of rural, Missouri.

TIGER GIRL

Germany, 2017

US Premiere, 90 min

Director – Jakob Lass

Failing to crack the ranks as a would-be cop, Maggie begrudgingly settles for a security guard job until she encounters Tiger, a fierce young woman whose rebellious antics leave Maggie questioning which side of the law she truly belongs on.

TOP KNOT DETECTIVE

Australia, 2016

North American Premiere, 87 min

Directors – Aaron McCann & Dominic Pearce

Aliens! Ninjas! Robots! Enormous egos! Get ready to enter the world of TOP KNOT DETECTIVE! Possibly the greatest cult TV series you’ve never heard of, TOP KNOT DETECTIVE and its creator Takashi Tawagoto come to life in this gonzo documentary.

Attend:

2ND HALF Badges for Fantastic Fest 2017 are available for purchase here.

Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock officially opens in Texas

June 7, 2017

The following is a press release from Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock:

Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock, the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Round Rock, Texas, is officially open. The 138-room hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. The hotel is owned by Sundance Hotel LLC and managed by Cincinnati, Ohio-based Winegardner & Hammons Hotel Group, LLC.

Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock is located at 420 Sundance Parkway, within the La Frontera E-Commerce Park, just one mile from Dell headquarters and adjacent to Emerson Process Management training center. The hotel is just 15 miles north of Austin, Texas. Often touted as the “sports capital” of Texas, Round Rock features Dell Diamond Park, home of the Round Rock Express, a Triple A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team and an affiliate of the Texas Rangers,and many amateur sports facilities including the Round Rock Sports Center.

“As Round Rock continues to grow and thrive economically, we are excited to add to the momentum by welcoming the first Hyatt Place hotel to the area,” said Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock General Manager Mindi Marshall. “With our smartly designed social spaces and guestrooms with separate work and sleep areas, our multitasking guests can easily accomplish what they need to do while on the road. Plus, our free hot breakfast is just the thing our guests need to take on the day.”

Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock offers:

138 spacious guestrooms with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Gallery Kitchen Breakfast, a free hot breakfast for guests available daily in the Gallery Kitchen, features hot breakfast items, fresh fruit, steel cut oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and more
24/7 Gallery Menu & Market serving freshly prepared meals anytime, day or night and perfectly packaged sandwiches and salads
Coffee to Cocktails Bar featuring specialty coffees and premium beers, as well as wines and cocktails
Odds & Ends program for forgotten items that guests can buy, borrow or enjoy for free
Meetings Spaces offer more than 1,500 square feet of flexible, high-tech meeting/function space
24-hour gym featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens and free ear buds

“Round Rock is a vibrant city, filled with friendly people, great neighborhoods, and an ever expanding list of global businesses and things to do or see,” said Brian Perkins, COO, Winegardner & Hammons Hotel Group, LLC. “Our hotel is central to all of them and we are confident that Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock will exceed guest expectations and provide them with everything they need while visiting our area.”

HYATT PLACE AUSTIN/ROUND ROCK LEADERSHIP
Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock is under the leadership of General Manager Mindi Marshall and Director of Sales Sarah Macke. In her role, Marshall is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the hotel, including overseeing the hotel’s associates and ensuring guests encounter the thoughtful service for which the Hyatt Place brand is known. Macke is responsible for providing sales service and support to travelers and meeting planners frequenting the Round Rock area.

2017 MTV Woodies: The Chainsmokers win the top prize

The Chainsmokers at the 2017 MTV Woodies

The Chainsmokers won the top prize (Woodie of the Year) at the 2017 edition of the MTV Woodies, an award show that honors emerging artists whose music appeals to college-age people. MTV aired the show live on March 16 from the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. (Click here to watch the full episode.)

The show featured performances from Rick Ross, Desiigner, D.R.A.M., Lil Yachty, Jidenna, Khalid and Starley. Presenters included the Chainsmokers, A$AP Ferg, Young M.A and Bibi Bourelly.

Prior to the one-hour live telecast, Terrence J hosted MTV’s emerging artist “Woodies” music festival beginning at 8 p.m. ET with performances by D.R.A.M., Lil Yachty, Young M.A, Bibi Bourelly, MUNA and PVRIS. Festival performances were also available on a livestream at the official MTV Woodies website.

Fans voted for each award in early March 2017, by taking a screenshot of their favorite artist on Snapchat. This was the first year that voting for the MTV Woodies took place exclusively on Snapchat.

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for the 2017 MTV Woodies:

*** = winner

MTV ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2017 “MTV WOODIES” WITH VOTING EXCLUSIVELY ON SNAPCHAT

Winners to Be Announced LIVE on Thursday, March 16 at 11:00 PM ET/PT on MTV
MTV Woodies x Rick Ross: Video
Apply for Press Credentials: Here

New York, NY (March 6, 2017) – MTV today announced four categories and nominees for the 2017 edition of the “MTV Woodies.” Voting, which will take place exclusively on Snapchat, in an MTV awards show first, opens today with best “Cover Woodie” before continuing with a new category each day through Thursday, March 9. Winners will be revealed at the 13^th annual “MTV Woodies,” hosted by multiplatinum, rap legend, Rick Ross and airing LIVE on Thursday, March 16 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT from Austin, Texas during South by Southwest Music Festival.

Fans will be able to vote for each award by taking a screenshot of their favorite artist on Snapchat. The nominees for the “2017 MTV Woodies” are:

Woodie of the Year
Big Sean
The Chainsmokers***
Chance the Rapper
Childish Gambino
Solange
Twenty One Pilots

Cover Woodie
Chance the Rapper – “Ultralight Beam” (Kanye West)
Ed Sheeran – Touch (Little Mix)***
Elle King – Jealous/Can’t Feel My Face (Nick Jonas/The Weeknd)
James Bay – Hymn for the Weekend (Coldplay)
MØ – Love on the Brain (Rihanna)
Panic! At the Disco – Starboy (The Weeknd)

Songwriter of the Year
Bibi Bourelly
Diana Gordon
Jack Antonoff
PARTYNEXTDOOR***
Starrah
Swae Lee

Woodie to Watch
Gallant
Dua Lipa
D.R.A.M.
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
Lil Yachty
Marshmello
Lil Uzi Vert
Khalid***
Anne-Marie
Russ

Official sponsors of the 2017 MTV Woodies broadcast included Cricket Wireless, Doritos, Pepsi, Reese’S Peanut Butter Cups and State Farm. Garrett English and Ryan Kroft were the executive producers with Vanessa Whitewolf and Andria Parides serving as producers for the 2017 MTV Woodies. Lisa Lauricella was executive in charge of music.

2017 South by Southwest: SXSW Event Photos

The South by Southwest Conference & Festivals took place March 10 to March 19 in Austin, Texas. Here are photos from some of the events at SXSW 2017.

“Song by Song” World Premiere

2017 SXSW — Ryan Gosling at the South by Southwest Film Festival premiere of “Song to Song” at Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 10, 2017. (Photo by Ben Porter)

“Alien: Covenent” World Premiere

“Baby Driver” World Premiere

Moderator Alicia Malone and Edgar Wright at a”Baby Driver” SXSW BBQ and Q&A at Freedmen’s in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Eiza Gonzalez, Ansel Elgort, Edgar Wright and Jon Hamm at a SXSW pre-screening dinner party for “Baby Driver” pre-dinner party in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, March 11, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Edgar Wright and Jon Hamm at a SXSW pre-screening dinner party for “Baby Driver” pre-dinner party in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, March 11, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Edgar Wright at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Ansel Elgort at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Jon Hamm at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Eiza Gonzalez at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Robert Rodriguez and Edgar Wright at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Jon Hamm and Ansel Elgort at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

Edgar Wright, Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Hamm and Ansel Elgort at the SXSW premiere of Baby Driver” at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for TriStar Pictures/AP Images)

“The Disaster Artist” Pre-Screening Reception

“T2 Trainspotting” Surprise Screening

Richard Linklater, Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor at a surprise SXSW screening of “T2 Trainspotting” at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, on March 12, 2017, (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Danny Boyle, Ewan McGregor and Richard Linklater at a surprise SXSW screening of “T2 Trainspotting” at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, on March 12, 2017, (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Ewan McGregor, Edgar Wright and Danny Boyle at a surprise SXSW screening of “T2 Trainspotting” at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, on March 12, 2017, (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Danny Boyle and Ewan McGregor before a surprise SXSW screening of “T2 Trainspotting” at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, on March 12, 2017, (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

“Life” World Premiere

Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Ariyon Bakare and Olga Dihovichnaya at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Daniel Espinosa at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images))

Hiroyuki Sanada at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Hiroyuki Sanada, Ryan Reynolds, Director Daniel Espinosa, Olga Dihovichnaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Ariyon Bakare and Jake Gyllenhaal at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Rebecca Ferguson at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson and Jake Gyllenhaal at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Jake Gyllenhaal at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Ariyon Bakare, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniel Espinosa at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Ryan Reynolds at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Daniel Espinosa, Rebecca Ferguson, David Ellison and Dana Goldberg at the SXSW premiere of “Life” at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, on March 18, 2017. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Sony Pictures/AP Images)

Pandora at SXSW

T.I. at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Luz Elena Mendoza of Y La Bamba at Pandora at SXSW 2017at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

SXSW attendees at McDonald’s booth at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Josh Ostrander of Mondo Cozmo at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Sunny Sweeney at Pandora at SXSW 2017at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

SXSW attendees at Simple Mobile at Pandora at SXSW 2017at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

SXSW attendees at Clorox lounge during Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

James Bagshaw, Samuel Toms and Tom Walmsley of Temples at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

James Bagshaw, Sam Toms, Adam Smith and Thomas Warmsley of Temples at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Chris Null, James Gordon, Josh Ostrander, Drew Beck and Andrew Tolman of Mondo Cozmo at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Earl St. Clair at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Meah Pace and Nic Offer of !!! at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

SXSW attendees at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

James Young, Jon Jones, Mike Eli and Chris Thompson of Eli Young Band at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Crisanta Baker, Matt Lowell and Samuel Stewart of Lo Moon at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Rafael Cohen, Mario Andreoni, Nic Offer, Meah Pace, Dan Gorman and Paul Quattrone of !!! at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

A general view of Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Alex Babinski , Lindsey Gunnulfsen and Kyle McDonalds of PVRIS at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Arizona at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Arizona at Pandora at SXSW 201 in at The Gatsby Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Ryan Hurd at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

James Sunderland and Brett Hite of Frenship at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Sofia Reyes at Pandora at SXSW 2017at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Kyle McDonalds, Lindsey Gunnulfsen and Alex Babinski of PVRIS at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Brett Hite and James Sunderland of Frenship at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 13, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Gucci Mane at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Pandora)

Young M.A. at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Samuel T. Herring, Gerrit Welmers and William Cashion of Future Islands at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Andrew W.K. at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Flint Eastwood at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Caleb Chapman, Will Chapman, Scott Mills and Parke Cottrell of Colony House at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Tkay Maidza at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Lizzo at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Samuel T. Herring (center), Gerrit Welmers and William Cashion of Future Islands at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney, Sam Melo, Darrick Bozzy Keller and Charlie Holt of Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Albin Lee Meldau at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Mason James, Lissy Trullie and Demar Davis of Zipper Club at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

A general view of the atmosphere at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Adam Weiner, James Everhart, Will Donnelly, Larry Scotton, Lucas Rinz of Low Cut Connie at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Jonathan Pierce of The Drums at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Brian DAddario, Michael DAddario, Megan Zeankowski and Danny Ayala of The Lemon Twigs at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

A general view of the atmosphere at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Michael D’Addario and Brian D’Addario of The Lemon Twigs at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

The Drums at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Danny Miller and Max Harwood of Lewis Del Mar at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Kat Graham and Phonte at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

David Butler and Matthew Brue of Missio at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Matthew Brue and.David Butler of Missio at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Jain at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Samantha Ronson of Ocean Park Standoff at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Adam Weiner (center), James Everhart, Will Donnelly, Larry Scotton and Lucas Rinz of Low Cut Connie at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Kat Graham at SXSW 2017 at Pandora at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Ethan Thompson, Samantha Ronson and Pete Nappi of Ocean Park Standoff at Pandora at SXSW 2017 at The Gatsby in Austin, Texas, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Pandora)

Petcube app has added Facebook Live streaming

March 13, 2017

Manny the Frenchie goes live on Facebook via Petcube. (Photo courtesy of Petcube)

Petcube has announced a major iOS update to its popular Petcube App, integrating Facebook Live, so people can livestream pets to their personal Facebook page. According to a Pehe same update will be coming later to Android. Petcube makes the best-selling interactive pet cameras Petcube Play and Petcube Camera and the forthcoming Petcube Bites treat cam. With the Petcube App, people can join a community of pet lovers and also play with publicly shared pets.

The San Francisco based technology company is in Austin co-hosting a “future of pet care” event called Pet Rescue Lounge, in partnership with innovative pet care brands Whistle, DogVacay and Luuup, inviting pet-loving SXSW attendees and Austinites. At the event, Petcube will be demoing the Facebook Live integration by broadcasting a live adoption of puppies and kittens in partnership with local rescue organizations, Austin Humane Society and Texas Humane Heroes. Together with its co-host partners, Petcube will be broadcasting live from different locations, including special appearances on the green carpet by famed pet celebrities Manny the Frenchie and Moshow the cat rapper. A portion of every sale with the code PETRESCUE at Petcube.com, Whistle.com, Luuup.com and DogVacay.com will be donated to Austin rescue groups.

With a commitment to reimagining pet care, Petcube continues to drive innovation in the Connected Pet space and is gearing up for the forthcoming commercial release of its interactive treat cam, Petcube Bites. Petcube Bites, now open for pre-order, will be the most advanced treat-flinging cam on the market, with 1080p HD video, night vision, video cloud recording, sound and motion alerts, two-way audio, the ability to remotely fling treats varying distances, a built-in container that will hold up to two pounds of treats, and automatic treat reorder support.

Petcube has also announced a strategic brand partnership with Wellness, the leading natural pet food brand and maker of popular Wellness dog and cat treats, to provide healthy treat samples for the Petcube Bites treat cam. The collaboration will feature Wellness treats that enhance the treating experience with the Petcube Bites cam. Owners will always have the flexibility to buy their preferred treat brands and products compatible with the Petcube Bites device.

Petcube Bites is available for pre-order on Petcube.com, Amazon, and Best Buy and will start rolling out commercially in early summer. With the opening of pre-orders for a limited time, Petcube Bites will be available at $199, or $50 off the retail price. The MSRP for Petcube Bites is $249 and Petcube Play is $199. Currently, Petcube Play is $149 through March 18, 2017, as part of a spring sale promotion. All Petcube devices come in three colors: carbon black, matte silver and rose gold.

Petcube’s camera product lineup supports on-the-go pet care and home security with the popular cloud recording service Petcube Care, which provides a 24/7 video timeline, sound and motion triggered recording and alerts, and up to 30 days of history. Owners can test drive the service with a 30-day trial that comes automatically with each device purchase.

2017 South by Southwest: What to expect at this year’s SXSW event

March 8, 2017

by Carla Hay

The exhibit space at SXSW 2016 (Photo by Lisa Hause)

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals (held every year in Austin, Texas) is arguably the best-known event in the U.S. that combines music, film, interactive and convergence programming. The 31st annual SXSW event takes place from March 10 to March 19, 2017.

New for 2017, the Interactive, Film, and Music badges will now include expanded access to more of the SXSW Conference & Festivals experience. Attendees will still receive primary entry to programming associated with their badge type but now also enjoy secondary access to most other SXSW events.

Here are some of the anticipated highlights of the festival:

Garth Brooks (Photo courtesy of RCA Nashville)

Keynote speakers

The lineup of SXSW keynote speakers includes:

Joe Biden, former Vice President of the United States
Garth Brooks, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter
Lee Daniels, Oscar-nominated filmmaker/TV producer (“Precious,” “Empire”)
James Baker, FBI general counsel (He replaces FBI director James Comey, who cancelled his appearance at the event.)
Jennifer Doudna, Ph. D., University of California at Berkeley professor of molecular and cell biology and chemistry
Gareth Edwards, director (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Godzilla”)
Adam Grant, Wharton School of Business teacher/author
Yasmin Green, Jigsaw director of research and development
Zane Lowe, Beats 1 creative director/Los Angeles anchor
Cory Richards, professional climber/visual storyteller
Nile Rodgers, Grammy-winning producer/songwriter
Jessica Shortall, Texas Competes managing director
Jill Soloway, award-winning TV producer (“Transparent”)

Meanwhile, featured speakers include actor/filmmaker Seth Rogen, New Jersey U.S. senator Cory Booker, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin, fasion designer Marc Jacobs, Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, WWE star/actor John Cena, rocker Sammy Hagar and “Game of Thrones” executive producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff.

Music Performances

There are about 2,000 artists who perform at SXSW every year. In 2017, some of the biggest names include the Chainsmokers, Ryan Adams, the Avett Brothers, the New Pornographers, Sylvan Esso and Bilal.

Movie Premieres

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Life" — Jake Gyllenhaal in “Life” (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures)

SXSW has a wide variety of feature-length and short films. Here are some of the more high-profile feature films that will have their world premieres at the festival: “Atomic Blonde” (action thriller starring Charlize Theron); “Life” (sci-fi thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal); “The Disaster Artist” (directed by and starring James Franco); “Song to Song” (directed by Terrence Malick and starring Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender and Rooney Mara); and “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers” (music documentary directed by Judd Apatow).

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2017 Austin Food + Wine Festival announces lineup

January 19, 2017
Austin Food and Wine Festival

The sixth annual Austin Food + Wine Festival takes place April 28 to 30 at Auditorium Shores and Fair Market in Austin, Texas.

Here are some of the highlights, according to a press release from the festival:

Hands-on grilling demonstrations, hosted by Tim Love, on April 29 and April 30.
Cooking demonstrations
Interactive fire pits helmed by an all-star lineup of chefs on April 29 and April 30. Participants include chefs Sonya Coté (Eden East, Hillside Farmacy); Michael Fojtasek (Olamaie); Bryce Gilmore (Barley Swine, Odd Duck); Kent Rathbun (Shinsei); Blaine Staniford (Grace, Little Red Wasp); and Andrew Wiseheart (Contigo, Contigo Catering, Chicon).
Live musical performances
Chef tastings
Book signings
Lone Star Nights on April 28 at Fair Market (1100 East Fifth Street), with music by DJ DM. The event will also have dishes from Matt Balke (Bolsa); Julian Barsotti (Nonna); Junior Borges & Coner Sergeant (CBD Provisions); Thai Changthong (Thai-Kun); Luis Colon (Folc); Andrew Curren (ELM Restaurant Group); Kevin Fink (Emmer & Rye); Ford Fry; Diego Galicia & Rico Torres (Restaurant Mixtli); Steve McHugh (Cured); Wayne Mueller (Louie Mueller Barbecue); Paul Qui (Kuneho); Ryan Shields (Bullfight); and Danny Trace (Brennan’s of Houston).
Rock Your Taco competition on April 29. Chefs will square off against one another to create the ultimate taco, with winners chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, including Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro) and FOOD & WINE’s Editor, Nilou Motamed. Chefs include Hugh Acheson (Empire State South, Five & Ten, The Florence, The National, Spiller Park); Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven); Jimmy Bannos, Jr. (The Purple Pig); Matt Bolus (The 404 Kitchen); Tyson Cole (Uchi/Uchiko); Jason Dady (Jason Dady Restaurants); Jodi Elliott (Bribery Bakery); Amanda Freitag (Chopped); Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois, Trois Familia, LudoBird); reigning Rock Your Taco champion Tim Love; Aarón Sánchez (Johnny Sánchez Restaurants); Alon Shaya (Shaya, Domenica, Pizza Domenica); Christina Tosi (Momofuku Milk Bar); Ming Tsai (Blue Dragon, Blue Ginger); and Jonathan Waxman (Adele’s, Bajo Sexto Taco, Barbuto, Brezza Cucina, Jams, Waxman’s San Francisco).
Sunday Gospel Brunch with the Warrior Gospel Band on April 30.
Food, wine and cocktail tastings in the Grand Taste Pavilion on April 29 and April 30. Participants include Joe Anguiano (VOX Table); Jeff Balfour (Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery); John Bates & Brandon Martinez (Noble Sandwich Co.); Stephen Bonin (Geraldine’s); John Brand (Supper at Hotel Emma); Taylor Chambers (Justine’s Brasserie); Tyson Cole (Uchiko); Austin Ewald (Grizzelda’s); Kazu Fukumoto (Fukumoto: Sushi and Yakitori Izakaya); Albert Gonzalez (Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile); Daniela Herrera (Counter 3. FIVE. VII); James Holmes (Lucy’s Fried Chicken); Zach Hunter (The Brewer’s Table); Clinton Kendall (East Side King); Lance Kirkpatrick (Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew); Nathan Lemley (Parkside); Mia Li (Kuneho); Geronimo Lopez (Botika); Rick Lopez (La Condesa); Harold Marmulstein (Salty Sow); Brian Moses (Olive & June); Josh Neises (Lonesome Dove); David Norman (Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden); Michael Paley (Central Standard); Ji Peng Chen (Wu Chow); James Robert (Fixe); Amanda Rockman (South Congress Hotel); Eric Silverstein (The Peached Tortilla); Marco Silverstrini (Dolce Neve); Anthony Sobotik (Lick Honest Ice Cream); Eddie Solis (Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ); Philip Speer (Bonhomie); George Thomas (Unit-D Pizzeria); Jim Tripi (Eberly); Carmen Valera (Tamale House East); Abby Yates (NO VA); Jacob Weaver (Juliet Ristorante); Martin Wilda (Sway); and Kevin Williamson (Ranch 616).
A star-studded collection of sommeliers, wine, beer and spirits experts rounds out the Austin Food + Wine Festival line-up, including Master Sommelier Devon Broglie; Master Sommelier Craig Collins; FOOD & WINE’s executive wine editor Ray Isle; and author Mark Oldman.
The pre-Festival Feast Under the Stars, on April 27, is an intimate outdoor celebration, at Austin’s Auditorium Shores, offering a five-course, family-style menu with wine pairings from Jackson Family Wines. Chefs David Bull (Second Bar + Kitchen, La Corsha Hospitality Group); Tyson Cole (Uchi); Omar Flores (Casa Rubia); Ford Fry (State of the Grace); and pastry chef Janina O’Leary will prepare a collaborative, al fresco meal. Feast Under the Stars tickets are $250 per person (inclusive of wine pairings and parking) and must be purchased separately from any festival tickets.

Aloft Hotels opens second locations in Austin and Louisville

January 11, 2017
Aloft Hotels

Aloft Hotels has opened new locations in Austin and Louisville.

Aloft Austin Northwest at 14020 US Highway 183 is the second Aloft in Austin, Texas. Owned by Pure Lodging Hospitality and managed by Lodgic Hospitality, Aloft Austin Northwest has 130 loft-style rooms, 1,000 square feet of meeting space, and live music at W XYZ Bar. The hotel is less than a mile from Lakeline Mall and 25 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Aloft Louisville East at 10700 Westport Road is the second Aloft in Louisville, Kentucky. Owned by M&T and developed by CRM Companies/PWM Real Estate Holdings, Aloft Louisville East has 126 loft-style rooms, more than 3,500 square feet of flexible meeting space and live music performances at the hotel’s W XYZ Bar and the outdoor Carloftis Courtyard.

Aloft Louisville East is less than a mile from EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park, 15 miles from Louisville International Airport, 14 miles from Kentucky International Convention Center, and 13 miles from KFC Yum! Center. The opening of the East End Crossing bridge will extend the Gene Synder Freeway (I-265) over the Ohio River into southern Indiana, which will create a new major corridor for traffic traveling north and south through Louisville.

Both hotels feature SPG Keyless that enables guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Additional amenities include a Splash indoor pool, a Re:charge fitness center; Re:fuel by Aloft, a one-stop gourmet grab & go food and beverage area; and live, local music at the brand’s W XYZ bar as part of the signature Live At Aloft Hotels music series.