Austin Film Festival (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing writers’ and filmmakers’ contributions to film, television, and new media, announced today its 2016 Retrospective Film Program. As an extension of its Writers Conference, AFF’s Retrospective series allows guest programmers to present works of their own or films that have inspired their careers. The 23rd annual Festival runs this October 13-20, featuring a slate of over 150 films, 175 panels, and almost 200 confirmed guest speakers.
Jason Segel joins the slate as a panelist and guest programmer where he will present The Muppets, which he wrote, starred in, and executive produced. Additional guest programmers in the series include AFF Awardee Paul Feig presenting Peter Bogdanovich’s What’s Up, Doc?, Tim Herlihy presenting the 20th anniversary of his cult classic Happy Gilmore, writer/producer duo Richard LaGravenese and Mark Johnson presenting A Little Princess, and Everybody Loves Raymond creator, Phil Rosenthal, presenting a special tribute to the late Gene Wilder.
Segel will also join the 2016 Conference program for an in-depth conversation spotlighting his philosophy on storytelling, how he approaches his process, and themes that emerge in his work. Other speakers recently added to the Conference slate includeTony Hale (actor Veep), Jennifer Salke (President, NBC Entertainment), John Lee Hancock (writer/director The Blind Side),Michael McCullers (writer Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me), Tracy Oliver (writer/producer/actress The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl), Robin Swicord (writer Little Women), Andrew Kevin Walker (writer Se7en), Bernie Su (creator The Lizzie Bennet Diaries), and The One I Love writer/director pair Charlie McDowell and Justin Lader.
AFF’s full schedule will be released next week; more information, the full list of panelists, and confirmed programming can be found at www.austinfilmfestival.com.
