Austin Film Society Wants to Build the 'Best Little Art House in Texas'

The Austin Film Society is on a mission.

Sure, the nonprofit has been working since 1985 to help Austinites "make, watch, and love film and creative media," but now they're working on something a little more concrete – literally.

Today, AFS launched a fundraising campaign for the Marchesa Hall & Theatre, that stucco venue on Middle Fiskville Road. In a new partnership, AFS at the Marchesa would become "Austin's new home for classic, independent and art house programming" – a venue totally dedicated to the cause, and the "best little art house in Texas."

But to get there, the 278-seat theatre needs a few upgrades: a 35mm changeover system for archival print screenings, a digital projector for new works, a new Dolby 5.1 surround sound system, and some general sprucing in the projection booth, the lobby, and the theatre itself.

The campaign is off to a great start, with $37,000 raised so far of its $120,000 goal and Richard Linklater, an early advocate of AFS, pledging to match gifts up to $45,000 to help the group reach its goal.

Head over to the fundraiser site to learn more about the campaign, read about the awards for donors, and view a slideshow of AFS at the Marchesa supporters (hint: You might find a few familiar faces). And if you want to get a peek at the Marchesa before her makeover, check out AFS’s Summer Free for All, a (free, obviously) film series running Fridays and Sundays from May 31 to June 23, featuring Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask), Cleopatra, A Hero Never Dies, and Beau Travail.