We already told you how supercool it is that PJ Raval and Jay Hodges' documentary Trinidad is premiering at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June. But did we forget to mention that they need a little help getting the thing spit-polished for the premiere? That's where you, dear reader, come in, with your cash dollars and your comfy standing-ovation-shoes on. You can check out a very special benefit screening tonight of the doc, which "uncovers Trinidad, Colorado's transformation from Wild West outpost to 'sex change capital of the world,' and follows three transgender women who may steer the rural ranching town toward becoming the 'transsexual mecca.'" Sounds juicy, no? Advance tickets to tonight's benefit previously sold out, but the fine folks at the Drafthouse South Lamar decided to move to a bigger auditorium, thus freeing up more space for you and said cash dollars. You can buy your tickets here.

Has it really been 30 years since George A. Romero, Pittsburgh's slyly subversive godfather of the politically and socially subtextural horror film, taught legions of unsuspecting filmgoers to love the maul but loathe the mall via his taboo-devouring masterpiece Dawn of the Dead? Amazingly, yeah, it has, and to celebrate the occasion the Alamo Drafthouse's Rolling Roadshow, in conjunction with Horrorhound Weekend and enough shriek-show luminaries to gag Tom Savini, are staging a once-in-a-deathtime screening of Dawn... at the original shooting 'n' maiming location, the legendary Monroeville Mall, on Saturday, June 21. For fans of the film -- and apart from Chron film editor Kimberley Jones and my mom, who isn't? -- this is likely to be Heaven (or is that Hell?) on earth. Whichever. All we can say is we're ticked off they didn't do this way back when we actually lived in the area. Of course, we were, like, ten years old, but still.

NBC and Ryan Seacrest Productions will have a casting call for mothers, their sons, and single women for a new reality series (really? another one?) called Momma's Boys.

The premise: women vie for men's attention while their mothers oversee the fun and perhaps offer their input.

When & Where: Friday, May 30, from 6-8pm at Qua Bottle Lounge, 213 W. Fourth, Austin, TX 78701

The niggling details: must be at least 21 years of age to participate. If you can't make the audition apply online www.nbc.com/Casting or nbcdatingshow.com to apply online.

The payoff: Tender moment with your mom and your potential love interest in the same hot tub? Who can resist?

The Texas penal system is once again the subject of a documentary, this one by producer/director Susanne Mason (Are the Kids Alright?), airing on PBS' Independent Lens. Writ Writer (which world-premiered at SXSW Film 2008) tells the story of Fred Arispe Cruz. Convicted in 1960 for a robbery he says he didn’t commit, he became a self-taught lawyer to appeal his case, eventually becoming a trusted advocate for prisoners. His watershed case, Cruz v. Beto, was filed to protest prisoners’ human rights violations and is credited with bringing about huge prison reforms in Texas. Mason has previously written and directed documentaries for the Save Our Springs Alliance and other short films about Austin. San Antonio-born actor Jesse Borrego (24, The New World) provides the voice over as Cruz, in words culled from his personal diaries, letters, and public courtroom presentations. Austin-based writer Dagoberto Gilb adapted Cruz’s narration for the film. Writ Writer premieres Tuesday, June 3, at 9pm on PBS.

We were bummed to miss last week's press screening of The Fall, former music video artist Tarsem Singh's long-delayed followup to The Cell (which plays these days mostly as a punchline, but we remember rather liking it). The trailer looks gorgeous, but early word is decidedly mixed (check out Marc Savlov's very positive review in print tomorrow or online right this very second). We're reserving judgment till we see it in the theatre – which we just might do on Monday, June 2, seeing as how Tarsem will be holding court (or at least a Q&A) at the 7pm show at the Arbor Theatre (9828 Great Hills Trail). Tickets are the usual cost ($8.75 for adults, $7.50 for students, and $6.50 for children/seniors) and can be purchased in advance either at the Arbor box office or online at fandango.com.

Survivor comes to Austin in June in search of cast members for the next season of the popular adventure/competition this Friday, June 13, 1-5pm at the Backwoods in the Hill Country Galleria (12921 Hill Country Galleria Blvd.).
To see full eligibility criteria and to download an official Survivor application, go to KEYE TV's website here.

We received last-minute word from aGLIFF about an Opening Night Party at Oilcan Harry's for tonight's local premiere of gay-circuit film A Four Letter Word at the Dobie. Sadly, the notice did not include a time (we guess "after"), but it did mention "drink specials." The Casper Andreas (Slutty Summer) romp stars Jesse Archer (whom you may recognize from such films as Slutty Summer) and Here! TV's Charlie David (Dante's Cove).

Yes, film studios are popping up everywhere. I just got word of another one quietly being built in the Austin area (details when I can pry them loose). And now a report from the San Antonio Business Journal has Villa Muse looking instead to the land of enchiladas and heavy metal for its proposed mega-studio and theme park (well, sorta) after being jilted by the city of Austin. Meanwhile, Cynthia Neely, president of Women in Film & Television-Houston, confirmed to me today that a very serious effort is brewing to turn the once-regal Astrodome into a film studio. Am I the only one with images of Bud Cort flying across the field as Brewster McCloud swirling in my head? Surely something there needs to be named in honor of Robert Altman. The basement, maybe?

Incentives? Louisiana's got your incentives hanging. Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu spoke with The Austin Chronicle at a roundtable held during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival last month, to present first-hand accounts of the how the state's cultural economy initiatives work.

The media event featured cultural icons like queen of soul Irma Thomas and restaurant maverick Chef John Besh, as well as art curator Dan Cameron, artist Rhea Gary, and musicians John Boutte, Rockin' Dopsie, and fiddle prodigy and Disney teen talent Amanda Shaw, all sharing stories of culture's role in Louisiana's post-Katrina/Rita recovery.

The Lt. Guv's Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism office handles the state's growing film industry; here he explains their strategy to lure crews and projects (while throwing in some savvy SXSW winks and nudges, to boot).


Texas…? Hello…? Bueller?