Some of our readers may be familiar with the Austin Film Festival, a celebration of cinema that puts a focus on the writers. Not too long ago, they began efforts to take these excellent panels and find ways to share them with people unable to attend. My colleague Rod covered the release of a book, On Story―Screenwriters and Filmmakers on Their Iconic Films, but their efforts also include radio, podcasts, and a collaboration with PBS.
The seventh season of On Story returned to PBS earlier this month and this year will feature conversations with Nancy Meyers (Something’s Gotta Give, Father of the Bride), Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother), Academy Award winner John Patrick Shanley (Doubt, Moonstruck), Justin Marks (Academy Award winning The Jungle Book), Emmy Award winner Marta Kauffman (Friends, Grace & Frankie), Paula Pell (Saturday Night Live).
Tomorrow’s episode (4/28) features Veep’s Tony Hale, checkout the exclusive preview clip from the show below and Check local public television listings to find out when On Story airs in your city. It’s a great way to deepen our appreciation for the creative process that brings your favorite TV shows and films to life.
PRESS RELEASE:
AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL’S ON STORY® SEASON 7 TO PREMIERE ON PBS STATIONS NATIONWIDE IN APRIL
2017 Season to Feature Jason Segel, Tony Hale, Paula Pell, Jeff Nichols, Marta Kauffman & More
AUSTIN, TX — March 20, 2017 — Today Austin Film Festival (AFF) announced its lineup and air dates for Season 7 of its original series, Austin Film Festival’s On Story®, airing on public television stations nationwide this April. The first episode of the season will air April 15 on KLRU-TV, Austin’s local PBS station, featuring Jeff Nichols (Loving). The series will air in 85% of U.S. markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Houston.
On Story®, the critically acclaimed series, gives viewers an inside look at the creative process behind some of the most popular and beloved films and television shows. The series won a Lone Star EMMY Award® for Best Arts/Entertainment Program in 2014.
The slate for the 2017 season features 20 all-new episodes that include in-depth and entertaining conversations with Emmy Award winner Tony Hale (Veep), Nancy Meyers (Something’s Gotta Give, Father of the Bride), Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother), Academy Award winner John Patrick Shanley (Doubt, Moonstruck), Justin Marks (Academy Award winning The Jungle Book), Emmy Award winner Marta Kauffman (Friends, Grace & Frankie), Paula Pell (Saturday Night Live), and many more. Each episode traces a theme throughout these discussions, including father-son dynamics, remaking classic films, complicated relationships, on-screen sports stories, comedy, and more, often highlighting the topic with a specially selected short film previously screened at Austin Film Festival.
“What we’ve always wanted to do with On Story® is give a peek behind the magic of filmmaking,” says series co-producer and filmmaker Miguel Alvarez. “Every week we’re bringing the writers, directors, and actors from our favorite films and television shows to our viewers and we think that’s something special.”
On Story® Season 7 marks a new level of content rich multi-platform delivery, with six more episodes than previous seasons. In addition to the nationally distributed weekly television series, On Story content is available through the following:
· One-hour weekly radio program via PRI that includes such guests as Eric Heisserer (Arrival), Lindsay Doran (Sense and Sensibility), and Paul Weitz (Mozart in the Jungle)
· Two books — On Story — Screenwriters and Their Craft and On Story — Screenwriters and Filmmakers on Their Iconic Films, both published by University of Texas Press
On Story is co-produced by Barbara Morgan, AFF Co-founder and Executive Director, and filmmakers Miguel Alvarez and Maya Perez, and presented by KLRU. The series is funded by the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation. Past episodes and more information can be found at www.onstory.tv.
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft, and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television, and new media. AFF champions the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts. www.austinfilmfestival.com
ABOUT KLRU-TV, AUSTIN PBS:
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS is dedicated to telling stories that entertain, inspire and change our lives. KLRU highlights what makes Austin unique — whether music, arts or public issues — by creating and distributing award-winning original content. KLRU produces several series including Austin City Limits, Arts In Context, Central Texas Gardener, Civic Summit and Overheard with Evan Smith. As a nonprofit educational organization, KLRU also prepares children to succeed in school and creates lifelong learning opportunities for all. Find out more at klru.org.