Short Cuts
By Marjorie Baumgarten, Fri., April 23, 1999
Will Harry Knowles jump from the Internet to the TV nets? This week Knowles fills in the guest host spot in the balcony on Siskel & Ebert. Since Gene Siskel's death a few months back, the widely seen movie-review show has had alternating guest reviewers sitting in with Roger Ebert but everyone figures that sooner or later Ebert and company will have to decide to anoint one of his visitors to be his permanent sparring partner. If you want to see the show here in Austin, the local NBC affiliate KXAN will air the show at 2am Sunday, April 25. (No, it's notjust Harry's appearance that they relegate to the nether hours; this is the same viewer-unfriendly time slot they always present the show in. What'sup with that, KXAN? The station is either moving the weekly airing all around the weekend schedule so one can never find it on a reliable basis, or they show it when people are asleep or stumbling home from the bars at closing time.) The Alamo Drafthouse has figured out a work-around. They have scheduled a Harry & Roger Watch Party for Sunday, April 25 at 2pm (doorsopen at 1:15pm). Knowles will be on hand to joinfriends in watching the show along with a bunchof other Knowles family home movies, the short film "Apocalypse Knowles," scenes of Harry on Japanese TV, and much, much more. Admission is free ...
La Cucaracha, the winning film in the Austin Heart of Film Festival (AHFF) this past fall, opens in Austin this weekend as well as in numerous other theatres around the country. Starring Eric Roberts, the movie was written by Jim McManus (who also co-stars) and was directed by Jack Perez. (See this week's "Film Listings" section for a review.) Although the deadline for submitting films to AHFF '99 isn't until August 7, here's another reminder that the deadline for the screenplay competition is just around the corner: May 15. This year the competition has established a new category for comedy, in addition to its family and adult categories. As well as prize money, winners receive airfare reimbursement, hotel accommodations during the conference (October 7-14), complimentary registration, and other goodies. For more info, entry requirements, or registration forms call 800/310-FEST, write to AHFF Inc., 1604 Nueces, Austin, TX, 78701, visit http://www.austinfilmfestival.org or call 800/310-FEST...
The deadline for the Great Plains Film Festival is also next month: May 30. The festival stresses cultural diversity and is only open to film or videomakers from the Great Plains region of the U.S. and Canada. Texas is one of the 13 states eligible. They are seeking dramatic and documentary features and shorts. Prize money is awarded. Complete entry info can be obtained by e-mailing dladely1@unl.edu, calling 402/472-9100, or visiting http://www.inetnebr.com/rossfilmtheater.
