The 21st Austin Film Festival (AFF), taking place from October 23rd to 30th, 2014, announced that accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker Jim Sheridan is the festival’s 2014 recipient of the “Distinguished Screenwriter” Award. Sheridan’s credits include writing and directing MY LEFT FOOT, THE FIELD, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE BOXER, and IN AMERICA. He is known for writing INTO THE WEST and SOME MOTHER’S SON, as well as directing DREAM HOUSE, GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’, and BROTHERS.
Sheridan’s work has achieved popular and critical acclaim worldwide. His films have garnered sixteen Academy Award nominations and have won two Academy Awards as well as numerous prestigious international awards.
Austin Film Festival annually recognizes a Distinguished Screenwriter for their collective body of work that has elevated and heavily contributed to the culture of film. Previous Distinguished Screenwriter Award recipients include Robert Altman, Shane Black, Horton Foote, Buck Henry, Lawrence Kasdan, Callie Khouri, Richard LaGravanese , Barry Levinson, Paul Mazursky, John Milius, David Peoples, Frank Pierson, Harold Ramis, Paul Schrader, William Wittliff, and Steven Zaillian.
Sheridan will accept the award at the Festival’s annual Awards Luncheon held on Saturday, October 25, 2014, as well as speak on panels during the Conference.
“We are thrilled to be honoring Jim Sheridan for our 21st anniversary. His body of work truly encapsulates the mission of Austin Film Festival,” said Conference Director, Erin Hallagan. “As we move into this third decade of championing the writer’s role in the landscape of film and television, we look forward to continuing a strong program that addresses both new developments in media, as well as the core elements of their craft.”
Sheridan joins a strong roundup of Panelists confirmed to speak at the 21st annual Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference. The Conference will provide unparalleled access to some of the best writers, filmmakers, and industry personnel in film and television in an intimate and impassioned atmosphere. Registrants have the opportunity to attend an array of panels including: meet and greets with Conference speakers, roundtables, the 12th annual Pitch Competition, and panels that cater to the art, craft, and business of storytelling through film and television.
Confirmed panelists* include:
Michelle Ashford, creator Masters of Sex
Eli Attie, writer/executive producer Mind Games, writer/co-executive producer House, MD, writer/supervising producer The West Wing
William Broyles, writer CAST AWAY, APOLLO 13, THE POLAR EXPRESS, UNFAITHFUL, JARHEAD, ENTRAPMENT, China Beach
Cary Fukunaga, director/executive producer True Detective, director JANE EYRE, writer/director SIN NOMBRE
Terry George, writer/director HOTEL RWANDA, SOME MOTHER’S SON, RESERVATION ROAD, writer THE BOXER, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
Peter Gould, writer/producer/director Breaking Bad, creator Better Call Saul
John Hamburg, writer/director I LOVE YOU MAN, writer MEET THE PARENTS, ZOOLANDER
Richard Kelly, writer/director DONNIE DARKO, SOUTHLAND TALES, THE BOX, writer DOMINO
Brian Koppelman, writer ROUNDERS, OCEAN’S THIRTEEN, RUNAWAY JURY, writer/director SOLITARY MAN
Franklin Leonard, creator The Black List
Kelly Marcel, writer SAVING MR. BANKS, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
Craig Mazin, writer IDENTITY THIEF, THE HANGOVER PART II & III, co-host ScriptNotes
Peter Mehlman, writer/co-executive producer Seinfeld
Scott Myers, host Go Into The Story, writer K-9, ALASKA, TROJAN WAR
Alvaro Rodriguez, writer MACHETE, SHORTS, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3: THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER,From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series
Dan Sterling, producer Girls, The Office, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, writer/producer, The Sarah Silverman Program, writer King of the Hill, South Park
Whit Stillman, writer/director METROPOLITAN, BARCELONA, THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO, DAMSELS IN DISTRESS
Jim Uhls, writer FIGHT CLUB, SEMPER FI, JUMPER