Short Cuts

Kenneth Anger, the legendary experimental/independent filmmaker, returns to Austin this weekend, hosted by the local film group in*situ, which also sponsored Anger's visit last Halloween weekend. Here's the filmmaker's Austin itinerary for this spring equinox weekend. Friday morning you can hear Anger in the comfort of your own home or workplace when he joins radio host John Aielli on his Eklektikos radio broadcast at 11am on KUT (90.5FM). Friday afternoon at 4pm, he will be at a booksigning at the new Barnes & Noble on Guadalupe across from UT. Then, Friday, 6-9pm, there will be a reception for Anger at Pro-Jex Gallery, which currently has on display an exhibit of his photographs entitled "Icons From the Pleasure Dome: The Magickal Imagery of Kenneth Anger." (The exhibit runs through April 9.) On Saturday, another local sponsor, Fringeware, will host a reception and limited-edition poster-signing party at their shop (2716 Guadalupe; 494-9273). Finally, on Sunday in*situ will present a screening of four Anger films ("Rabbit Moon," "Kustom Kar Kommandos," "Invocation of My Demon Brother," and "Lucifer Rising") at 7:30pm at the Dobie Theatre. Call 481-0493 for more info...

Kim Krizan, who co-wrote the screenplay for Before Sunrise with Richard Linklater, will be teaching a screenwriting workshop called "The Zen of Screenwriting" with Charles MacInerney on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19. Call 452-8935 or 459-2228 to get details...

A film discussion group is forming that will meet the fourth Thursday of each month, 7:30pm, in the Barnes & Noble Cafe in the Arboretum beginning March 26. This will be a book-based discussion group; films will be selected by group members based on availability. So far the lineup includes Oscar and Lucinda in March and The Big Lebowski in April. Call Staci Herndon or Chris Barsanti at 418-8985 for more info...

A while back I noticed a post in an online indie film newsgroup about a theatre in Amarillo that was soliciting film and video work to show on its screens. The theatre turns out to be called Secret Garden/BeanBag and it is indeed looking for some alternative fare. Owner Parie Jones warns that the seating capacity is minute (they can only sell 100-150 tickets per weekend) and she's unable to promise much in the way of financial remuneration or rentals, but she does seem sincere in her desire to bring good films to Amarillo. (And it's my belief that such quixotic dreams should be whole-heartedly supported.) The theatre opened in December with Amarillo homeboy George Ratliff's Plutonium Circus and sold out the first three shows. In February, Parie presented Oscar nominee Waco: The Rules of Engagement. So any film and videomakers out there in search of venues for their work might consider contacting Parie Jones in Amarillo, who promises that the audiences there are "small but grateful." Phone number: 806/373-6613; fax: 806/373-2433; e-mail: [email protected]...

As interest in Monday night's Oscar broadcast mounts, those of you who are lucky enough to be wired by Time Warner Cable for the Independent Film Channel and who have pockets deep enough to shell out for the pleasure should remember that the channel will present live coverage of the Independent Spirit Awards Saturday, March 21 at 3:30pm. (It will be rebroadcast at 9pm.) In the meantime, you can learn more about the event online at http://www.ifctv.com.