You can’t move forward without looking back. While you might have to wait a bit to see the work from the emerging talent spotlighted here, there is definitely an outlet to see what has gone before, with the Jonathan Demme Presents: Made in Texas screening and DVD release party happening Thursday, Jan. 14, 7pm, at the Texas Spirit Theater at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Back in 1981, Demme visited Austin and met up with Chronicle Editor Louis Black. Black screened a bunch of local shorts and Demme was so impressed with the creative talent, he organized a program to screen in New York City as part of the Collective for Living Cinema to a sold-out crowd. Thirty-five years later, Black and Co. have restored and remastered those original shorts. After the screening, there will be a moderated Q&A with the filmmakers and discussion about the early days of indie film in Austin, making this a rare look into Austin’s film history. Tickets are available via www.thestoryoftexas.com.
This article appears in January 8 • 2016.