AUSTIN, TX (October 7, 2011)—The Austin Film Festival (AFF) announced today that Actress Alexis Bledel has been named honorary co-chair for the 9th Annual Film & Food Gala, benefitting AFF’s Young Filmmakers Program. Previously announced honorary co-chair, Actress and Producer America Ferrera is no longer able to attend due to a work schedule conflict. Bledel will be joined by writer/director Ryan Piers Williams (The Dry Land).
A native of Houston, Bledel is a versatile actress in both film and television. She starred as “Rory Gilmore” in the critically acclaimed series “Gilmore Girls.” She recently appeared with James McAvoy and Robin Wright Penn in Director Robert Redford’s period drama “The Conspirator.” Next, Bledel stars opposite Saoirse Ronan in Oscar winner Geoffrey Fletcher’s directorial debut “Violet and Daisy.” The film centers on a pair of teenage assassins who are lured into what is supposed to be just another quick and easy job, only to find complications as the man they’re supposed to kill is not what they expected. Bledel’s additional film credits include “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “Tuck Everlasting” and the Robert Rodriguez film “Sin City,” which was filmed in Austin.
The Gala will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, TX and kicks off the 18th Annual Festival and Conference. For more information, please visit www.austinfilmfestival.com/.
9TH ANNUAL FILM & FOOD GALA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011
7PM – 10PM
DRISKILL HOTEL / AUSTIN, TX
Tickets are $90/$75 for AFF Members and Badge Holders
Call 512.478.4795 or visit austinfilmfestival.com for tickets
Benefitting Young Filmmakers Program
All chairs are confirmed based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Proceeds from the ticket sales and event auctions benefit Austin Film Festival’s Young Filmmakers Program, which was founded to encourage students, ages 9-18, to explore their literacy skills through the arts of screenwriting and filmmaking. Programs are offered free through AISD schools and partner organizations.
Sponsors of the Film & Food Gala include Whole Foods Market, KVUE, Twin Liquors, Dos Equis, Shweiki Media Printing, Livestrong Austin Marathon & Half Marathon, and United/Continental Airlines.
More information on the 18th annual Austin Film Festival is available at www.austinfilmfestival.com/ or call 1-800-310-FEST (3378). For regular updates, follow AFF on Facebook at facebook.com/AustinFilmFestivaland Twitter @austinfilmfest.
About Austin Film Festival
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art and craft of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story.
The Austin Film Festival is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Special support is provided to the Austin Film Festival by Dos Equis, KVUE, KUT 90.5 FM, United/Continental Airlines, Esurance, and Wells Fargo Advisors.