In Austin: SXSW, Juno and the Devil.

Organizers at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival are happy to announce the first batch of new panel topics scheduled for the 2008 panels. The SXSW Film Festival takes place in Austin, TX from March 7 to 15. The SXSW Film Conference and Panels, will occur during March 8 to 11. Here's a sneak peek at one topic already taking shape:

Film Miss-Takes
(Saturday, March 8)
When it comes to making a film, "nobody knows anything," and novice filmmakers know even less. Poor choices can ensure that no one will watch what you've made. Early attention to legal and technical issues could mean the difference between having a viable film, or just an expensive calling card. Are you ready to talk about your project? Who should you talk to and what should you say (or not say)? Veterans of the industry discuss how filmmakers most often sabotage themselves, and discuss how to avoid it by doing their homework.

Stay tuned to the SXSW Film Conference site for updates on panels and confirmed speakers.

Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody: "I could blog all about how 'aus'-some the Austin Film Festival has been, and how delightful our screening at the Paramount was this evening. However, I'm fixated on the drawer." You'll have to read that one.

The American-Statesman's Chris Garcia has the list of AFF competition winners. Also, he's had a grand time listening to John Milius and Oliver Stone butt heads on a panel entitled "In the Trenches: Writing the War Film."

And: "As the Austin Film Festival wraps on Thursday (with the superb Before the Devil Knows You're Dead), this mad movie town gears up for two more film bashes this weekend." And they'd be the Austin Polish Film Festival and the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival.

Posted by dwhudson at October 16, 2007 9:23 AM