There's a New Dean in Town

Is it just me or did a whole lot of Austin-related film news rain down today? Get the goods after the jump.

The Austin Film Festival announced this year's Distinguished Screenwriter Award recipient is David Peoples. I suspect his not a name familiar to general audiences, but you know his movies, for sure: Blade Runner, Unforgiven, Twelve Monkeys, and Ladyhawke. (Yes, Ladyhawke.) Peoples joins previously announced honoree David Simon (The Wire); Door Number 3 – the Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award – is still to be revealed.

The Paramount Theater will play host to a couple premieres in coming weeks. First up is a first look at My Generation, the ABC fall drama penned by Austin resident Noah Hawley and currently shooting around town now. The screening, which takes place Tuesday, Aug. 17, is free, but you have to RSVP. Conveniently enough, I've got the link right here.

And then Robert Rodriguez' Machete gets a red carpet premiere on Thursday, Sept. 2. It stars Danny Trejo and Michelle Rodriguez, and the press release uses the word "explosive" twice to describe the screening and the after party at Austin Studios. Is that a hint of pyrotechnics to come? Or just an absent copy editor? Only one way to find out. And by the way, proceeds from the Machete screening will benefit the Texas Filmmakers Production Fund and the Texas Motion Picture Alliance, so if you haven't donated yet: Two birds, one stone.

Finally, the terrifically talented Paul Stekler has been named the new chair at the University of Texas' Radio/Television/Film department. We only hope academia doesn't slow down his moviemaking, because this guy's social/political documentaries (Vote for Me: Politics in America) are essential viewing.