Just when you thought the local film festival season was over, three more movie bashes, each with a unique flavor, unspool tonight through next week. With the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest and the Austin Film Festival wrapped, it’s time for the smaller-scaled Austin Polish Film Festival, Cinema Touching Disability and Austin Asian American Film Festival to roll in with a wealth of hard-to-find films from around the world.

Austin Polish Film Festival

Celebrating one of the most exciting and prolific producers of world cinema, the fourth annual Austin Polish Film Festival kicked off Thursday and continues through Sunday at the Texas Spirit Theater at the Bullock Museum (1800 N. Congress Ave.) with an array of contemporary Polish movies. Films include:

“Time to Die” (“Pora Umierac”) at 6:30 tonight and “Before Twilight” (“Jeszcze nie weiczor”) at 8:45 tonight.

“Preserve” (“Rezerwat”) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and “Drowsiness” (“Seenosc”) at 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

“Tomorrow We Are Going to the Movies” (“Jutro idziemy do kina”) at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and “The Glass Trap” (“Szklana pulapka”) at 8:35 p.m. Sunday.

The festival loops back on Nov. 14 with a program of Polish shorts, documentaries and animation at the University of Texas, Communication Building, Studio 4D. Sponsored by the Austin Polish Society. Details, passes and tickets at www.austinpolishsociety.org/austinpff2009.

Cinema Touching Disability

The sixth annual Cinema Touching Disability happens today and Saturday at the Alamo South (1120 S. Lamar Blvd.). The film festival, focusing on movies that depict disabilities in a positive, thoughtful and edifying light, features student film competitions, shorts and the feature documentaries “A Possible Dream: The Andrea Friedman Story” — a portrait of actress Andrea Friedman, who has Down syndrome — and “The Eyes of Me,” a profile of four students at the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired.

“A Possible Dream” shows at 8:40 tonight. “The Eyes of Me” plays at 8 p.m. Saturday and will be followed by a discussion with director Keith Maitland, producer Patrick Floyd and the film’s subjects.

For the complete schedule and tickets: www.ctdfilmfest.org.

Austin Asian American Film Festival

Forty films from India, Pakistain, Lebanon, China, South Korea and the United States and several themed parties headline this sixth annual festival, running Thursday through Nov. 15 at the Alamo South and the Texas Union Theatre at the University of Texas.

Director Ed Radtke, an Austin resident, will screen his award-winning drama “Speed of Life” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Alamo South to open the festival. Other highlights include: Mehreen Jabbar’s “Ramchand Pakistani,” Dave Boyle’s “White on Rice,” H.P. Mendoza’s award-winning “Fruit Fly,” the Bollywood Blowout Party, a concert with hip hop artist Jenro, short films and a free outdoor screening of the Oscar-nominated animated feature “Persepolis.”

Chris Garcia

Source-http://www.austin360.com/movies/content/movies/stories/2009/10/1106fests.html

Drive-in movies were once a memory reserved for sharing the back seat of a 1950s wing-tipped Cadillac with their sweetheart on a Saturday night. Luckily, nostalgia found its way back to Austin through a local couple and their innovative interpretation with the Driftin’ Drive-In.

The idea of awakening the dusty outdoor big-screen has been with Charlie Hurtin since he was a child. Unlike the stationary drive-ins of the past, though, he wanted one that could travel. With his wife Rachael he established Wild Street Drive-In in 1999, an inflatable movie screen named for the Austin street where they showed free films on their front lawn.

”I love movies,” Hurtin said. “It gives me an excuse to throw [the screen] up and watch a movie — let other people enjoy it besides in our back yard.”

After a few minor setbacks, the two returned to their day jobs (Charlie created Pyrite Records for his bands Charlie Hurtin and the Hecklers and The Strollers) to save up for a future film company collaboration. Together they founded Driftin’ Drive-In — complete with portable projectors, sound system, generator and 20-by-10-foot inflatable movie screen.

For the month of October, Driftin’ will be playing horror cult classics at Austin Brevita, beginning with Little Shop of Horrors on Thursday. Brevita is a tiny, yellow hut that serves piping hot coffee creations and appropriately shares its large gravel lot with donut trailer Gourdough’s. Tiffany and Duane Youngren opened Brevita in June and hope to inspire interest in the South Austin community.

“It’s another opportunity for the general public to come in and get to know the different businesses,” Tiffany said.

Hurtin said he enjoys the like-minded, burgeoning ‘mom-n’-pop-type places’ like Brevita and, in an effort to help their businesses and gain exposure for his own company, he screens most of the films free of charge.

His biggest inspiration, though, is his childhood love of the silver screen.

“The novelty – the idea that just being able to go out and sneak into a Drive-In. You know, like the old ‘60s and ‘50s, the kids, what would you do on a weekend night? You would go to the drive-in movie theater,” Hurtin said. “Sitting at home watching your TV is boring. To come out and watch a nice classic horror film with neighbors is the Austin way to do things.”

Amber Genuske

source-http://www.dailytexanonline.com/life-arts/novel-nostalgia-1.1944738

All summer long, the city of Austin has been hosting outdoor movies at the Deep Eddy pool. “Splash Party” movie nights occur every Saturday night at dusk with family-friendly movies. Not very many people know about these awesome “dive-in” movies but if this is the first time you’re hearing of it, never fear: there are more outdoor film screenings to come. Movie-goers can watch the movies while floating in the pool, picnicking on the lawn, or enjoying refreshments from the concessions stand. The regular pool entrance fee pays for both access to the pool as well as the movie. This is a great way to beat the heat and see a great movie with the whole family, so don’t miss the rest of the outdoor dive-in movies!

The next two scheduled outdoor movies are Willy Wonka on July 25 and Kung Fu Panda on August 1, but hopefully there will be more. Again, the films begin at sundown and admission is just the regular pool entrance fee.

Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., phone number 472-8546 for more info.

Summer Outdoor Movie Nights at Central Market North

With wholesome gourmet food and a sun dappled outdoor deck and play area, Central Market North is an eatery with a very Austin atmosphere. The spacious, airy patio is a perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and a delicious dinner, listen to a band every Friday through Sunday, or just grab a casual lunch and watch the kids play. The air is filled with the happy chatter of children and the silver industrial railings and Blue Moon beer umbrellas lend to the easy-going scene. On the warmest Texas summer afternoon the deck and playscape stay cool and breezy thanks to the huge shady oak trees. The winding decomposed granite paths and backdrop of some neat new townhomes with an enviable short walk to Central Market give the area a park like feel.

According to Gary Manus, the café manager, something new and interesting this summer at Central Market North is the Summer Outdoor Movie Series. Around dusk, an outdoor movie is projected onto a 30 foot tall inflatable movie screen in the park area (he says make sure to bring your chairs or blankets). Blue Moon on tap is offered for $2.00 and there are wine specials to be had as well on movie nights.

Central Market is known for its high quality, fresh food. And nothing beats a nice glass of wine with your (very amply portioned) Chinese Chicken salad or salmon burger topped with seaweed salad. You can order your wonderful glass of wine in the café, but did you know you can buy a bottle of wine in the market, and bring it to the café where they will uncork it for you? One enterprising couple was observed with a soft cooler filled with ice, which kept their chardonnay nicely chilled while they ate.

The delicious food and wine, breezy shaded deck, joyous sounds of children playing, clinking silverware and general bustle of people make Central Market North a very enjoyable dining experience. it is a lovely way to spend an afternoon lunch with the kids or an evening on the patio, listening to music and taking in the scene.

Visit the site often for an updated listing of music and events: www.centralmarket.com/Stores/Austin-Central.aspx

Summer Outdoor Movie Series Dates and Shows:

June 24th Serenity
July 8th To Be Determined
July 22nd Iron Man
August 5th The Goonies

4001 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 206-1000
Store Hours: Open 8 am to 10 pm

Café Hours: 7 am to 9 pm Sunday – Thursday
7 am to 10 pm Friday – Saturday

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-13815-Austin-Restaurant-Bars-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Summer-movie-nights-at-Central-Market-North

Event planners across the country are rejoicing in the grand opening of thirteen new Fun Flicks Outdoor Movie Company locations in twelve states. The highly anticipated grand openings signify a new way to throw a community event or backyard party by combining the fun of the Drive-In with the convenience of a mobile cinema for a fun-filled night of watching movies under the stars. With 21 locations already underway, Fun Flicks is looking for new licensees across the United States.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) May 22, 2009 — The Fun Flicks Outdoor Movie Company is reporting they have had 13 successful grand openings in twelve different states since the start of the year. This brings the total of Fun Flick territories up to 21 different locations across the nation.

Fun Flicks provides event planners a unique way of ensuring their function is the talk of the town by offering outdoor movie equipment to rent for a fun-filled night of watching movies under the stars. Fun Flicks delivers a complete cinema with huge inflatable movie screens to schools, pools, neighborhoods, backyards, churches and parks and recreation departments. Utilizing the latest technologies, Fun Flicks has designed a system to offer quality service at half the price of competing companies – which helps save budgets during these current economic times.

The event planner simply provides the outdoor location and a movie, Fun Flicks does the rest by bringing a huge mobile inflatable movie screen, along with the projection and sound systems to entertain family and friend groups from 5 to 5,000.

The response has been overwhelming, with 10 states including Los Angeles, Austin & Phoenix opening up in less than 12 months. The latest round of grand openings were announced in Connecticut, Long Island, Virginia Beach, New Orleans, Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, along with Dallas and Houston in Texas. This goes along with the existing businesses in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Todd Severn, President of Fun Flicks, said: “One of the greatest joys we have experienced is the countless ‘thank yous’ we receive from parents, school officials, offices managers and event planners who have thrown the party of the year with Fun Flicks Outdoor Movies. We know we can’t duplicate that nostalgic era of the 50’s Drive-In, but we can sure bring some of its fun back, and we want you to contribute!”

Fun Flicks is offering licenses to entrepreneurs who want to start their own business in other cities and states. Similar to a franchise, Fun Flicks introduced its successful home-based business model in 2008 to entrepreneurs who want to own their own unique home business but are looking for a proven blueprint for success.

Severn said: “Fun Flicks offers entrepreneurs a proven, unique business opportunity and our licensees tell us how much fun they have running a business that helps people have fun by hosting outdoor movie events.”

The reason for the success of Fun Flicks licensees is how Fun Flicks supports its entrepreneurs. Each business owner has the option to complete an education program to learn the proven system. They are provided with custom ad design and a creative website. Business owners also have a network of other support under the Fun Flicks Brand umbrella.

Furthermore, each licensee receives unlimited customer leads from the top placement of advertising on Google, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL and other major search engines. Each approved licensee has a protected territory with absolutely no competition, making territories a premium.

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2282514.htm

More than a few Longhorn fans have expressed their disappointment about not making it all the way to the BCS National Championship Game. But local bar and restaurant managers say there’s no shortage of Fiesta Bowl fever in Austin, and they’re gearing up for big crowds tonight for the matchup between Texas and Ohio State.

Third Base sports bar downtown will show the game on a massive, inflatable movie screen in the bottom level of the parking garage behind the bar, with seating for an additional 170 customers, owner Brendan Puthoff said, and will have heaters on the patio.

Whenever there’s an Ohio State game, Sam’s Boat on Braker Lane packs in 100 to 300 Buckeye fans, and for this game they’re expecting plenty of Longhorn enthusiasts as well, general manager Mike Robinson said.

“The last couple of years, whenever Ohio State played Texas, it’s been a pretty good rivalry,” he said. “It’ll be packed.”

ESPN Austin radio has Doc’s Backyard on Brodie Lane staked out today, and they’ll be broadcasting from the bar, manager Steven Martinez said. The bar and burger joint, which also has a location on South Congress Avenue, will have beer specials and is getting ready for big crowds, Martinez said.

The Lake Creek Alamo Drafthouse on Research Boulevard doesn’t have to worry about the weather, but it may not be an option for late-coming fans. As of Sunday afternoon, all but a few seats at the theater had been reserved to watch No. 3 Texas and No. 10 Ohio State. As with most UT games shown at the theater, managers said they don’t expect to have any empty seats.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement,” assistant manager Ian McKenzie said. “All weekend, we’ve had people asking us about the game. ”

Excerpt from “Bars and restaurants gear up for Fiesta Bowl Fever” by Patrick George, originally published in the Austin-American Statesman. Read full article at: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/05/0105fiestafever.html.

El día 29 de Octubre, a las 8:00 PM, se presentará una muy especial función de cine con motivo de el Día de Muertos. Cine Las Américas presentará la serie “La Hora Fría: una ofrenda de cine para el Día de Muertos” en el Centro Cultural México Americano, con una espeluznante proyección al aire libre de la película EL ESQUELETO DE LA SEÑORA MORALES (1959), dirigida por Rogelio A. González, y estelarizada por Arturo de Córdova y Amparo Rivelles.

EL ESQUELETO DE LA SEÑORA MORALES es una película única del cine Mexicano, con una mezcla de horror y comedia que es a la vez una sátira de los exagerados melodramas que fueran tan famosos en el México de años cincuenta. La película fué escrita por Luis Alcoriza, basada en el cuento “El misterio de Islington” del autor británico Arthur Machen. y es considerada por la crítica mexicana como una de las mejores diez películas del cine mexicano.

EL ESQUELETO DE LA SEÑORA MORALES
Dirigida por Rogelio A. González
Mexico, 1960, 92 min, Comedia/Horror/Misterio
Reparto: Arturo de Córdova, Amparo Rivelles, Elda Peralta
En español con subtítulos en inglés

Pablo Morales (Arturo de Córdova) es un taxidermista que ve la vida con optimismo, que ama a los niños y que anhela ser padre, pero que enfrenta la terrible realidad de vivir con Gloria (Amparo Rivelles), su hermosa mujer, quien vive amargada, obsesionada y acomplejada por un defecto en la rodilla y por su extrema religiosidad. Gloria atormenta a su esposo con sus celos, quejas y un extremo puritanismo que raya en la obsesión, pero como ella no quiere terminar su matrimonio, hace la vida de Pablo imposible y su matrimonio se convierte en un infierno. Un día, Pablo anuncia a sus conocidos que Gloria se ha ido a Guadalajara a visitar a una tía. Sin embargo, en su laboratorio de taxidermista, Pablo conserva un esqueleto al que trata como si fuese su mujer.

Presented by the MACC in collaboration with Cine Las Americas
Una presentación del MACC en colaboración con Cine Las Américas

Mexican American Cultural Center / Centro Cultural Mexico Americano (MACC)
600 River Street, Austin, Texas 78701
Free / Gratis

On October 29th at 8PM, there will be a very special outdoor movie screening celebrating the Day of the Dead. Cine Las Americas will bring the series “La Hora Fria: A Cinematic Offering for the Day of the Dead” to the Mexican American Cultural Center, featuring the film THE SKELETON OF MRS. MORALES (EL ESQUELETO DE LA SEÑORA MORALES, 1959), directed by Rogelio A. González, and starring Arturo de Córdova and Amparo Rivelles, in a spooky outdoor movie screening.

THE SKELLETON OF MRS. MORALES is a unique film in the history of Mexican cinema, with a mix of horror and comedy that serves as a timeless satire of the exaggerated melodramas that were so successful in Mexico during the fifties. The film, written by Luis Alcoriza, based on the short story “The Islington Mystery” by Welsh author Arthur Machen, is considered by Mexican critics as one of the best ten films in Mexican film history.

EL ESQUELETO DE LA SRA. MORALES (THE SKELETON OF MRS. MORALES)
Directed by Rogelio A. González
Mexico, 1959, 92 min, Comedy/Horror/Thriller
Cast: Arturo de Córdova, Amparo Rivelles, Elda Peralta
In Spanish with English Subtitles

Pablo Morales (Arturo de Córdova) is a taxidermist who enjoys life with optimism, loves children, and longs to be a father, but he faces the terrible reality of living with Gloria (Amparo Rivelles), his beautiful wife, who lives embittered, obsessed, and affected by a physical defect on her knee and her extreme religious views.
Gloria torments her husband with her jealousy, complaints, and religious obsession, but she does not want to end the marriage, which makes the situation unbearable for Pablo, as their life together becomes hell on earth. One day, Pablo announces to their friends that Gloria has traveled to Guadalajara to visit her aunt. Nevertheless, in his taxidermy lab, Pablo keeps a skeleton, which he treats as if it was his wife.

This outdoor movie as a cinematic offering for the day of the dead is sure to be a big success.

Presented by the MACC in collaboration with Cine Las Americas
Una presentación del MACC en colaboración con Cine Las Américas

Mexican American Cultural Center / Centro Cultural Mexico Americano (MACC)
600 River Street, Austin, Texas 78701
Free / Gratis