Short Cuts

Katwoman Forever Dept.: Mad props, as they say, to local filmmaker Kat Candler (Cicadas), whose feature script Brain Brawl has been selected among 199 other hopefuls (out of a total 1,600 submissions) for the Emerging Narrative Section of the 2004 Independent Feature Project Market in New York City, which runs Sunday, Sept. 19-Friday, Sept. 24. If you're not familiar with the IFP, it's the only event in the country where filmmakers present their work directly to industry executives, with an eye toward some $100,000 in awards, and one hell of a great place to schmooze and network. Kudos to you, Ms. Candler, or, if you prefer, Mallomar.

Do Not Stop for Hitchhikers Dept.: Beloved Austin film scene fixture and art director extraordinaire Robert Burns has gone to that great barbecue pit in the sky, but his memory will be very much alive and kicking at the Alamo Drafthouse's Ultimate Chainsaw Experience, Saturday, Aug. 21. Burns, who art directed the original Chain Saw as well as Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes, Joe Dante's The Howling, and Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator, among many others, passed away recently, and it's to him that this very highly recommended event is de(a)dicated. Virtually all of the original surviving cast will be on hand in Kingsland, Texas, attending the event at the very house in which the film was shot (now a countrified family restaurant, no less), from director (and native son) Tobe Hooper to Ed "Hitchiker" Neal and Gunnar "Leatherface" Hansen. And yes, there will be meat for you to gnaw on. Tix, times, etc., at www.drafthouse.com.

Chunk King Express Dept.: We've already clued you in to the fact that the newly expanded Pedazo Chunk Video (2009 S. First) has enough region-free coolness to choke a rodent of unusual size, as well as the fact that they're hosting a free keg 'n' film party the first Friday of every month, but did you know they're screening some of the most badass foreign cinema in the world, every single night at 9pm in their sumptuously appointed demipro screening room? (And, come to think of it, why are we telling you this, anyway, when seating is already so limited? Bah!) It's true, though: Pitof's Vidocq (Wednesday, Aug. 18) and Giulio Petroni's brilliant spaghetti Western Death Rides a Horse (Sunday, Aug. 22) are but two upcoming screenings at which you'll likely find "Short Cuts." Full listings and more can be had at www.pedazochunk.com.