Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Lone Star Silver Screen

In this episode of Lone Star Silver Screen, host Austin Zook and guest Shane Longoria delve into the 2018 film BLAZE, directed by Ethan Hawke. Over the course of their conversation, they discuss the merits of nontraditional biopics, the origins and impact of the Outlaw Country movement in music, and the life of musician Blaze Foley.

In this episode, Austin Zook discusses the impact of Errol Morris's documentary The Thin Blue Line with filmmaker Bart Weiss. They explore the evolution of documentary filmmaking, the challenges faced by independent filmmakers today, and the importance of audience engagement in supporting diverse documentary narratives. The conversation highlights the need for truth in media and the role of documentaries in shaping public perception.

Austin talks to Rebekah Louisa Smith, the Film Festival Doctor about Texas film festivals this week! They discuss Rebekah's journey from the UK to the US, her experiences with various Texas film festivals, and her insights into the film festival circuit. Rebekah shares her top recommendations for Texas film festivals, highlighting their unique vibes and the importance of supporting local filmmakers. The conversation also touches on the significance of short films in launching filmmakers' careers and the year-round festival scene in Texas.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:27 Rebecca's Journey to the U.S. and Film Festivals

05:19 Exploring Texas and Its Film Festivals

08:08 Spotlighting Texas Film Festivals

11:16 The Importance of Community in Film Festivals

12:15 Year-Round Film Festivals in Texas

14:07 Highlighting the Austin Film Festival

20:04 Dallas International Film Festival Overview

21:29 Oscar Qualification and Film Festivals

24:29 Fantastic Fest: A Genre Celebration

27:46 Oak Cliff Film Festival: A Community Experience

33:10 Waco Independent Film Festival: Nurturing New Talent

36:50 The Value of Short Films in Festivals

Austin and guest Nick Holloway delve into the world of Cormac McCarthy's novel No Country for Old Men and its acclaimed Coen Brothers adaptation. They discuss the themes of violence, character depth, and the film's ambiguous ending, while also analyzing performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin. The conversation touches on the significance of the film's Oscar wins and the impact of McCarthy's writing style.

Julian Sol Jordan is on the pod this week! We talk about Robert Rodriguez's book Rebel Without A Crew, tying it into Julian's experience making his debut film, Real Life. We discuss the influence of Robert Rodriguez, the challenges of funding a film, and the value of working with limited resources. The conversation also touches on the balance between artistic integrity and commercial viability in filmmaking, as well as the significance of spontaneity and happy accidents in the creative process.

In this episode of Lone Star Silver Screen, host Austin Zook speaks with Ian Loomer, President of the Dallas Producers Association, about the new Texas film incentives bill and its implications for the film industry in Texas. They discuss the role of the DPA and TXMPA (the Texas Media Production Alliance), the importance of film incentives, and how the new legislation aims to position Texas as a competitive player in the film industry. The conversation highlights the potential economic impact of film production in Texas and the community's aspirations for the future.

Austin is joined by filmmaker Josh David Jordan to discuss his 2025 film El Tonto Por Cristo and the roadshow he and his wife and collaborator Jessica Jordan have embarked upon with it in the United States and Europe. Josh shares stories from the set, talks about the lessons he learned from releasing his first film, This World Won't Break, and how they have made El Tonto Por Cristo's screenings feel like an event - with a sense of community, custom merchandise, and newsletters going out to keep people apprised of the film's journey.

You can find the ETPC website, including the shop for merchandise, HERE.

Register for Josh and Jessica's newsletter HERE.

This week, Austin is joined by Brent and Chris Bolding, the founders of the OK2BX Film Festival, gearing up for its fifth (!!!) outing this year! Launched to honor the memory of Eleanor Bolding, OK2BX serves as a platform for youth filmmakers to showcase their work. The festival focuses on inclusivity and storytelling while providing workshops and college fairs to support aspiring filmmakers.

OK2BX Website: https://ok2bx.org/

Social Media: OK2BX Foundation & OK2BX Film Festival

Submissions Page: FilmFreeway

Austin is joined by filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón to talk about Shaun's film Age of Audio, which explores the rise of podcasts and the creative process behind filmmaking. They discuss the challenges faced during production and the strategies used to promote the film. Shaun shares insights on getting notable figures involved (like Ira Glass and Kevin Smith), navigating film festivals, and the importance of self-promotion. The conversation culminates in a reflection on what defines success for a filmmaker.

https://www.aoamovie.com/

Austin is joined by Nick to finish their 2025 Awards conversation. They pick their Top 5 films of the year, cover their wild card and honorable mention picks, and generally thirst over Tom Hanks, Sophie Thatcher, Kerry Condon, Michael B. Jordan, and more. Balancing that with occasionally insightful commentary is a challenge, but one the boys are more than happy to tackle.

This episode serves as the Season 1 finale of the podcast; Season 2 kicks off soon!

Austin is joined by Nick Holloway to talk through their favorite films of 2025. They go through their picks for the best performances, music, writing, and directing in the year's movies, shining a light on films that may have been left out of the awards conversation. Nick only pulls a knife on Austin once during the conversation (for his Best Director pick), making it an overall successful interaction!

Link to Jamil David's chron.com piece on films in the Oscar conversation with ties to Texas:
https://www.chron.com/culture/article/oscar-nominations-2026-texas-21307761.php

Part 2 Coming Soon!

Austin and guest Zach David delve into the film Hell or High Water, exploring its themes, characters, and the impact of Taylor Sheridan's writing. They discuss the performances of Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges, the film's humor, and its cultural relevance, all while highlighting the stunning cinematography and the way the film replicates the feeling of West Texas (even though it was shot in New Mexico).

00:00 Introduction to Hell or High Water

02:59 Exploring the Characters and Performances

06:06 Themes of Morality and Motivation

08:57 Taylor Sheridan's Writing Style

11:54 Cinematic Techniques and Direction

14:50 Cultural Context and Relevance

17:57 Character Dynamics and Relationships

21:00 The Impact of Setting and Location

23:50 Humor and Dialogue in the Film

26:56 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Austin and guest Alex Gonzalez delve into the film Support the Girls, exploring its themes of hospitality, personal struggles, and the dynamics of working in the service industry. They discuss the film's portrayal of character relationships, the cultural backdrop of Austin, TX, and the broader implications of labor and camaraderie in the workplace. The conversation highlights the emotional depth of the film and its relevance to real-life experiences in the hospitality sector.

What makes a great movie star? And what makes a great Texas movie star? This week, Austin sits down with cultural critic Cait Kennedy to discuss some of the greatest film actors to come from the Lone Star State. Is Debbie Reynolds' stardom bigger than Texas? Is anyone more deserving than Matthew McConaughey?

Tune into this week's episode to find out!

And check out Cait's work:

Substack: https://simplycinema.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitthemuse/

Austin is joined by the great Benjamin Flaherty to discuss his independent documentary Shuffle, chronicling fraud in the addiction treatment industry. Benjamin shares his experience working alongside people struggling with addiction as someone who went through treatment for alcoholism, what happened after the film won an award at SXSW in 2025, and what it's like to live with a project for 7 years before getting it out into the world.

Stop the Shuffle Website: https://www.stoptheshuffle.com/

Follow Shuffle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoptheshuffle?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Austin is joined by filmmaker John Moore today to discuss his new documentary, When We Were Live, which will play the Oak Cliff Film Festival this weekend. They talk about John's decision to let found footage from Austin's public access television scene tell its own story, the process he went through to turn that footage into a coherent film, and the importance of taking constructive criticism.

Tickets for the 8/2 OCFF screening: https://ocff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a35b2a04fce8a3c10851b26?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnrVWXMeGDZN6DUIBRAxT92ProDz4eva_z3kQwdjCG2yATVAy-QZmkisLEicU_aem_ye04EApw9dkhn_dOj7_vJw

WWWL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whenwewerelive/

WWWL Website: https://www.whenwewerelive.com/

Austin is joined by filmmaker Joe Salinas to discuss his new documentary about pioneering punk band Big Boys. They discuss the band's music, the legacy of Austin punk, and how bringing on Andrew Leeper as an additional editor helped him get the project over the finish line.

YCCOTL OCFF Tickets: https://ocff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a35af954f6a2d50da54d818/tickets

Joe Salinas' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesalinasfilms?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Andrew Leeper's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellolightningatx?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Austin is joined by festival director Tengah Nguyen of HAAPIFEST (that's the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival) to discuss the festival's origins, objectives, and their 2026 slate! This is a hybrid event featuring in person and online screenings over the course of two weeks, from May 29 - June 14. You can learn more at the links below:

HAAPIFEST Website: https://www.haapifest.org/

HAAPIFEST Insta: https://www.instagram.com/haapifest/?hl=en

Austin is flying solo this week, running through some Texas movie news and his thoughts on recent films he caught at the theater. Movies reviewed include: OBSESSION, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY: THE SORCERY OF NYMPH CIRCE, PROJECT HAIL MARY, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES, IS GOD IS, IN THE GREY.

Movie news sources:

Paramount Theater: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/austin/article/austin-tx-summer-film-series-paramount-22260695.php

Orange, TX Film Fest:

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/film-and-arts-festival-coming-to-downtown-orange/502-18440269-7031-4a96-82e8-6a24dc3faa73

Ken Paxton Sues Netflix:

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-netflix-spying-texas-kids-and-consumers-illegally-collecting-users

Fine Arts Theatre in Denton:

https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/dentons-fine-arts-theatre-is-coming-back-to-life-carrying-a-century-of-movie-history-with-it-40677687/

Austin is joined by artist and content creator Hayley Chow to discuss her work with History Undresed on the red carpet for the Dallas International Film Festival. They cover the challenges of working a red carpet, Hayley's work as a film and fashion historian, and her interaction with Warner Bros. executive Michael De Luca at DIFF.

History Undressed: https://www.instagram.com/historyundressed/

Austin's D Magazine Profile of Hayley: https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2026/03/history-undressed-hayley-chow-dallas-film/

Howdy! This week, Austin's doing something a little different. Instead of bringing a guest on, he's indulging in his worst tendencies and monologuing about Texas industry news and what he's been doing lately.

Includes: Thoughts on the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), Mother Mary's box office performance, the new director attached A24's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and more!

Austin is joined by Nadeem, Cindy, and Jade Kassis to discuss their new film, One In A Million, premiering at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 26, 2026. The movie is a faith-based medical drama covering the family's real life experience when Jade was diagnosed with HLH, a rare blood disorder.

Austin and the Kassis family talk about what that experience was like for them, why they decided to produce a film about it, and what it took to get this project produced. It's an emotional, heartwarming discussion that touches on the family's faith -- and what's next for them on their journey.

Tickets for DIFF Screening: https://thetexastheatre.com/films-and-events/one-in-a-million

Space Jump: https://www.spacejump.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=search+brand&utm_content=183147468426&utm_term=spacejump&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22786516207&gbraid=0AAAAA_4MJDGVWeAFdCFwodXUMhnONMAwQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw46HPBhAMEiwASZpLRAyJa2fQ-BA2WJJ1Ry2HtTETiUmID0i3LhHHCZHtCub2rMm4b__53hoCPgAQAvD_BwE

Austin is joined by multi-hyphenate Simon Pruitt to discuss Ben Stiller's 1994 Gen X manifesto, Reality Bites, starring Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder. During their chat, they ask the big questions: What happened to Janeane Garofalo's career? Does art have value if it's terrible? Why would anyone choose to cosplay as a peasant at a renaissance festival? Listen to learn the answers to these burning questions - and so much more.

Simon Pruitt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonpruitt?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Zounds Sounds B-Side: https://www.zoundssoundsbside.org/

Spacy (Microcinema): https://www.spacydtx.com/

Austin is joined by director Matty Wishnow to discuss his new feature, The Last Critic, which will be playing at the Oak Cliff Film Festival later this month. They discuss the life and career of music critic Robert Christgau, how Matty was able to get some of the sharpest cultural commentators on the planet to take part in his debut documentary, and the pleasures of breakfast tacos.

The Last Critic screens Friday, July 31 at 8:45PM at the Kessler Theater.

Tickets are available now: https://ocff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a30949848d846b6463575d5

The Last Critic Website: https://www.thelastcriticfilm.com/

The Last Critic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelastcriticfilm/

Robert Christgau's Substack: https://robertchristgau.substack.com/

Austin has a dream guest on today with editor extraordinaire and SMU alum Chris Tonick joining to talk about his career and, more specifically, the work he did on one of the most exciting movies of 2026, the Hong Kong action film The Furious!

Don't miss Chris explaining how Hong Kong action films are edited, how he worked his way through the ranks to find himself on this project, and what the guys think about the later works in Frank Herbert's Dune saga!

The Furious Webpage: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/the-furious

Chris Tonick's Website: https://christonick.com/

Austin is joined by...another Austin! Director Austin Sayre is on the show this week, discussing his new documentary, 'The Man with the Big Hat,' about the life and work of musician Steven Fromholz. They discuss Sayre's introduction to Fromholz, how a broken pelvis nearly threw a wrench in their initial schedule, and the evolution of Austin as a musical mecca in Texas!

'The Man with the Big Hat' Website: https://www.themanwiththebighatfilm.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themanwiththebighatfilm/

Austin is joined by festival director Eugenio Del Bosque to discuss CineFestival, which is celebrating 50 years of spotlighting latino/a films for their audience in San Antonio. They discuss the festival's evolution, the role they can play in young filmmakers' development, adapting to unexpected programming challenges, and more!

CineFestival runs from July 9-12 in San Antonio, TX.

More information can be found below:

CineFestival Website: https://guadalupeculturalarts.org/cine-festival/

CineFestival IG: https://www.instagram.com/cinefestival/?hl=en

This week, Austin is joined by writer/director Justice Hardy and Executive Producer Lindsey Barnes to discuss their new film, Mantis, a sci-fi/horror/thriller. They discuss the origins of Mantis' heady concept (interviewing murder suspects up to 36 hours after they die), the role of an EP on an indie film, what films influenced Mantis (and which ones would make a killer double feature with it), and the magic of good Tex-Mex.

PRODUCTION NOTE: Austin's audio is a little muddy in the intro. It only lasts about 10 seconds. This is why we don't record with headsets, kids.

MANTIS IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXLRFtBjbCN/

941 PRODUCTIONS IG: https://www.instagram.com/941_productions_/

Chapters

• 00:00 Origins of Mantis
• 07:55 The Role of an Executive Producer
• 14:04 Creating a Collaborative Environment
• 24:54 Screening at the Dallas International Film Festival
• 30:40 Sound Design and Editing Process
• 36:55 Future of Mantis and Production Studio

Austin is joined by writer/director J.T. Walker to discuss his new film, Broken Land. The movie is Texas to its core, tackling timely issues and showcasing the rugged beauty of the Lone Star State. During their conversation, Austin learns how J.T. conceived of the film and brought it to life, as well as how they crafted an authentic, emotional experience on set.

Rent Broken Land: https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Broken-Land/4952332

Chapters

• 00:00 The Origin Story
• 06:01 Cinematography and Naturalism
• 11:28 On-Screen Chemistry
• 17:24 Script Reflection

Austin is joined by the co-directors of the El Paso-based Femme Frontera Film Festival, which runs from June 11-14. It is FREE to the public and dedicated to providing a platform for female and gender-expansive filmmakers; Manis also helps lead the La Frontera Film Lab, which seeks to amplify voices from the U.S.-Mexico border region and teach female and gender-expansive filmmakers about documentary filmmaking.

Femme Frontera Site: https://www.femmefrontera.org/

Email Address: info@femmefrontera.org

La Frontera Film Lab: https://www.femmefrontera.org/femme-frontera-border-film-lab

Film Frontera IG: https://www.instagram.com/femme_frontera/?hl=en

Manis' IG: https://www.instagram.com/manisgongora?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Jackie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/jackie_iyari/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Austin is joined by local filmmaker Stone Swad to talk about the recent wave of video game adaptations. Is this good for the movie industry? Is Legend of Zelda overrated? And what would the best video game to film in Texas be? Find out in this episode!

Stone's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.ston3y/