Austin Film Festival Announces First Wave of Awards

Does it ever end? Just when you think you're done (with SXSW), they pull you back in. Yes, there are plenty of other worthwhile film festivals in this overpopulated, godforsaken town, and a great one just dropped some news.

The Austin Film Festival have announced the recipients for their first round of award categories, as well as a wave of panelists. First up is Paul Feig, lately known as the director of Bridesmaids and Spy, but forever revered as the creator of one of the more authentic depictions of teenage life, Freaks and Geeks. He is the recipient of the "Extraordinary Contribution to Film" award. Feig's C.V. ranges from directing episodes of The Office and Mad Men to currently helming the needlessly controversial reboot of Ghostbusters. Feig joins past recipients Jonathan Demme, Sydney Pollack, and super nice guy Ron Howard.

Receiving the "Distinguished Screenwriting" award this year is Nancy Meyers, a writer and director whose credits span writing the Lindsay Lohan Parent Trap reboot and Whoopi Goldberg vehicle Jumpin' Jack Flash to writing/directing recent hits It's Complicated and the Robert De Niro/Anne Hathaway charmer The Intern. She is the third woman honored for the award since 1995, joining such luminaries as Callie (Thelma & Louise) Khouri, John (Apocalypse Now) Milius, as well as Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote and directed The Big Chill and Silverado, which basically gives him a lifelong pass for any Star Wars movies he fucks up.

Add to that panelists from some of our favorite shows: Michelle Ashford (Masters of Sex), Alan Yang (Master of None), and David Mandel (Veep), and you have something to look forward to. The Austin Film Festival runs Oct. 13-20. For full lineup, more info, and to secure your attendance, visit www.austinfilmfestival.com. And while I have you, please enjoy a brief clip from Feig's Freaks and Geeks starring one of TV's greatest creations, Millie Kentner: