With South by Southwest (SXSW) in full swing, Austinians are keeping an eye on famous sightings around town. Last week’s Texas Film Awards offered the opportunity to see multiple celebrities gather in one place. To celebrate legends in the Texas film industry, the annual fundraising event featured new members in the Texas Film Hall of Fame, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
In line with the Austin Film Association (AFS) 40th anniversary, the Texas Film Hall of Fame milestone year welcomed new members Michelle Rodriguez, Tim and Curry League and Noah Holly. Before the event, CultureMap caught up with AFS founder and film director Richard Linklater to catch up on the anniversary.
Richard Linklattefort by David Brendan Hall
“It’s so cool,” he said. “40 years are wild. You can only look back at your first year. We’ve grown up with Austin.
Sharing the impact of AFS grants on stage during the event, Linklater further explained the growth of this symbiosis.
“The rising tides in Austin lifted our boats, and we grew when we needed to lose the oddity of basic films (none),” Linklater said. “40 years from now, I know two things are true. Community is everything. Watching a movie connects us and builds that community. And the love and gratitude of film, if you nurture it, if you nurture it, if you nurture it, it feeds you ten times.
Introducing Michelle Rodriguez, who was raised by Killeen-born San Antonio, director Robert Rodriguez spoke about the actress’s “unwavering swagger” and how he wrote the character of Luz with her in mind after seeing the girls’ fights.
Robert Rodriguez and Michelle Rodriguez Photos by Lauren Thrasher
He also introduced a surprise guest to Vin Diesel, the event he co-starred with Rodriguez in the Fast and Furious franchise. Diesel took the stage in a black cowboy hat and recently discovered his Texas roots, sharing his Texas identity as either a ride on Rodriguez or one of many things that unite him as a Die.
Vin Dieseldavid Brendan Hall
Actor and Austin Elijah Wood has awarded the award to Tim and Curry League, founder of the Alamo Drafthouse and Fantastic Fest.
Elijah Wood, Tim and Curry Liegephoto by Lauren Slusher
Wood praised the league for impacting the wider film community by redefineing what theater is, not just the Austin film industry.
On the red carpet before the event, Wood told Culture Maps what he missed most about Austin.
“I don’t live here anymore, but it still feels like home,” he shared. “I miss the food, and the many restaurants I love are pizza from Emmer & Rye, Loro, Via 313, Olamaie, Clark’s and Fresa’s.”
For the evening’s final award, Atlanta actress Zazie Beetz and Fargo actor David Rysdahl presented the award to writer and producer Noah Holy, currently working on Fargo and Alien: Earth.
David Lisdahl, Noah Holy and Zazie Bitsphoto by Lauren Thrasher
