Film Flam

SXSW V2V 2.0 a go, Veronica Mars movie gets a release date, Lars Nilsen hangs up his Something Weird Wednesday hat, and more news lighting up Screens big and small.

• It’s staying in Vegas: SXSW has announced its Interactive offshoot V2V, which debuted in August, is returning in 2014. Next year’s conference will run July 13-16 at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Registration and press applications are now open for the conference, as well as the popular programming crowdsource, PanelPicker, and V2Venture, a startup pitch competition.

• The ATX Television Fest is hosting a sneak peak at three episodes of new sitcom Enlisted with creator/writer Kevin Biegel and star Geoff Stults in attendance. The event is free, but they’re asking you bring sweats or a blanket for donation to a surgical unit currently stationed in Afghanistan. The show, about three brothers assigned to a unit of outcasts and losers, debuts in January on FOX. More information here.

• Didja watch the trailer? Didja see Piz? Yeah, we know, his name’s Chris Lowell, but he’s forever Piz in our hearts, which are still holding fast to Veronica Mars. Speaking of, the Veronica Mars movie just got itself a release date – March 14. Savvy calendar readers will note that is one week after SXSW Film debuts. Given VM creator Rob Thomas’ Austin zip code and the massive marshmallow community here, let’s start the idle rumors of a SXSW premiere now! Mosey on over to Entertainment Weekly, which first reported the release date news, for a clip from the film, and read our September interview with Rob Thomas here.

• If you move very, very fast, you can still get a ticket for tomorrow’s first ever TEDxAustinWomen conference, an all-day event held at Austin Music Hall. Can’t make it out? TEDxAustinWomen will be livestreaming all the action on their website.

• The City of Austin is once again seeking entries for its annual Faces of Austin showcase of short films that put a face on Austin culture, history, and diversity. Winning films will premiere at SXSW Film 2014 and be available on Channel 6 and the City’s website. Guest judge Richard Linklater will anoint one special film as Judge’s Choice. Deadline for submission is Jan. 21; see the Faces of Austin website for submission guidelines and application.

• Austin public art innovator (and former Austin Chronicle employee) Ben Livingston makes his acting debut in The Cherokee Word for Water, about Wilma Mankiller, the first modern female Chief of the Cherokee Nation. The film screens tomorrow night at the Bob Bullock Texas Spirit Theater; tickets available here.

• Austin Film Society programmer Lars Nilsen has announced that he’s stepping down from Something Weird Wednesdays, the Alamo Drafthouse series Nilsen has hosted for 12 years. (Read the Chronicle’s 2011 interview with Nilsen on the occasion of his 10th anniversary with Something Weird.) His final SWW film, Snakes, screens Jan. 8; Laird Jimenez will then take over hosting and programming duties.

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