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==