Beautiful Losers SXSW

I got back from Austin Saturday night April 15th and needed the past 2 days to recover from the mayhem which is the music portion of the South by Southwest Festival. This being my first year attending South by Southwest, I wasn't prepared for the total transformation of Texas' mellow capitol into full on Mardi Gras mode once the music fest started. It was if a cloud of rock and roll darkness descended onto Austin with the four horseman of the Apocalypse in tow, laying waste to any and all remnants of both the interactive and film festivals which were still ongoing. Needless to say, I did my duty and commenced operation: party like a rock star.

But the news that really matters is the encore screening of Beautiful Losers. Like our world premier at the Paramount theater last Sunday, Thursday's screening at the Alamo Ritz was completely sold out and some potential viewers were unfortunately turned away at the door. Those who were able to make it in were once again an excellent audience, an audience who eagerly embraced the message of our little film and who walked out of the theater with creativity on their brain.

This time for our post film q&a, Aaron and I were joined on stage by Money Mark (who composed the film and who later on played a set at the after party along with Tommy Guerrero!) and New York photographer Cheryl Dunn (one of the artists in the film). With the four of us up there fielding some great questions our collective jaws dropped to the floor when a film reviewer, who had been at the festival since day 1 watching films for the past 6 days, boldly claimed that our film was the best film that he had seen. But what made his comment even more powerful is the fact that following his statement the entire audience applauded in agreement!!! To be on stage witnessing this was completely mind blowing and is something I will never forget.

That moment on stage coupled with all the random people who stopped us on the street or who came up to us while we were eating just to thank us for making this movie has assured me that people who watch our film are "getting it" and that's the main reason why the past week has been so special. I can't express how much it means to me that we're able to affect people so positively through a film we put so much of our souls into. It's as if our little baby is finally beginning to talk and everyone loves the words that are coming out of her mouth. Now all I need is for the rest of you to see what it is I keep yapping about. Which could be happening very, very soon...

Thanks again for continuing to support us and the film, and thank you Austin for "keeping it weird"!

187 photos | 508 views

items are from between 07 Mar 2008 & 12 Mar 2008.