Austin Film Festival to Honor Christopher McQuarrie, With Writers Conference Panels to Include ‘Wicked,' ‘The Studio' and More (EXCLUSIVE)
The Austin Film Festival hosts the world's largest screenwriters conference and has championed the art and craft of storytelling for more than three decades.
More from Variety
'Mission: Impossible' Director Christopher McQuarrie Says Tom Cruise Is 'Very Serious' About Making a Les Grossman Movie: 'It Ultimately Comes Down to What That Character Is'
'Mission: Impossible' Recap: Everything You Need to Remember Before 'The Final Reckoning'
Tom Cruise Won't Address 'Mission: Impossible' Future During Surprise Cannes Talk: 'I'd Rather People' Just See 'The Final Reckoning' and Enjoy
McQuarrie said of his award, 'I've always held the AFF in the highest esteem. It's a sincere privilege to return to Austin after so much time away and for such a distinguished honor.'
McQuarrie is an acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter. His 1995 screenplay for 'The Usual Suspects' was named by the Writers Guild of America as one of the greatest screenplays of all time. In 2008, he co-wrote and produced 'Valkyrie,' starring Tom Cruise, a film which would lead to many more McQuarrie/Cruise collaborations, starting in 2012 with McQuarrie's sophomore directorial effort, 'Jack Reacher.'
As a writer, producer and director, he went on to helm the last four installments of 'Mission: Impossible' ('Rogue Nation,' 'Fallout,' 'Dead Reckoning' and 'The Final Reckoning'), comprising some of the largest and most complex practical action films ever made. In between these, he continued to work as a writer-producer on such films as 'Edge of Tomorrow' and 'Top Gun Maverick.' In addition to his credited work, McQuarrie is known throughout the industry for his uncredited contributions as a writer, editor, 2nd unit director and production consultant.
AFF will honor McQuarrie at the Awards Luncheon alongside screenwriting awardee Rian Johnson, producing awardee Christine Vachon, and television writer awardee Yvette Lee Bowser. The luncheon features awardees honored for their career achievements, Script and Film competition winners, and the recipients of industry-sponsored fellowships. Past recipients of the Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award include Ron Howard, Danny Boyle, Frank Darabont and Jonathan Demme.
AFF has also announced the first wave of Writers Conference panels, including WGA nominees Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, the acclaimed screenwriters of Universal Pictures' Academy Award-nominated 'Wicked' and its upcoming conclusion, 'Wicked: For Good.'
On : A Conversation with Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox
Speakers: Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox
Description: Step into the world of Oz with the brilliant minds behind the Wicked stage-to-film adaptations. Tony and Emmy nominated screenwriter Winnie Holzman and acclaimed screenwriter Dana Fox will delve into the monumental task of bringing this beloved Broadway phenomenon to the big screen. From the joys and challenges of adapting an iconic stage musical book, to the thrills of expanding upon that universe for film, Holzman and Fox will discuss how they crafted a cinematic experience that reaches its epic, electrifying conclusion this November with Wicked: For Good.
The Writer-Producer Relationship with Christine Vachon and Celine Song
Speaker: Christine Vachon and Celine Song
Description: Join acclaimed writer-director Celine Song and legendary independent producer Christine Vachon for a conversation about building and sustaining the essential writer-producer relationship. Song and Vachon will share insights into the nuances of their own successful collaborations, including Past Lives and Materialists, offering advice on how to foster trust, manage expectations, and effectively navigate the creative and business challenges inherent in bringing a story from script to screen.
Inside the World of Indie Film Financing
Speakers: Kara Durrett, Jesse Burgum, and Dave Caplan
Description: Navigating the complex landscape of independent film financing can be a filmmaker's greatest challenge. Join producers Kara Durrett and Jesse Burgum of Pinky Promise (Eleanor the Great, Bird, The Last Showgirl), and Dave Caplan of C2 Motion Picture Group (Longlegs, The Monkey) as they pull back the curtain on securing funding for indie projects, and what they look for in a script.
Inside the Writers Room:
Speaker: Alex Gregory
Description: Celebrated for its biting satire, relentless pace, and immersive peek behind Hollywood's curtain, The Studio offers a heightened, hilarious insider's perspective of today's film and TV industry. Co-creator and showrunner Alex Gregory will discuss how the show's writers mined their own experiences to develop its uniquely dysfunctional characters and kinetic storytelling style.
On : A Conversation with Justin Simien
Speaker: Justin Simien
Description: Explore the impactful world of Dear White People with its creator, Justin Simien. This conversation will delve into the origins of the acclaimed film and series, Simien's approach to social commentary, and the show's signature character-driven storytelling. Gain insights into the challenges of tackling complex themes with humor and poignancy.
On Grounded Storytelling:
Speakers: Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen
Description: Go behind the scenes of the Peabody Award-winning HBO series Somebody Somewhere with co-creators and showrunners, Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen. The pair will explore their longstanding creative partnership and their knack compelling character dynamics that turn small moments into universally human stories.
Three Page Challenge with Craig Mazin and John August
Speakers: Craig Mazin and John August
Description: In this live, interactive session, Craig Mazin and John August will offer their insightful feedback on submitted screenplays – focusing on the all-important first three pages. Learn firsthand what makes a script demand attention, the common pitfalls to avoid, and essential techniques for hooking your audience from the very start.
Inside the Final Season:
Speakers: Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett
Description: As Big Mouth takes its final bow, join co-creators and EPs Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett to explore the evolution of the show, from its initial concept and controversial humor to its nuanced portrayal of adolescence. Hear how they crafted the final season's emotional arc, brought beloved characters to a conclusion, and navigated the challenges of ending such a beloved and impactful show.
On the Making of
Speakers: Patrick Schumacker
Description: Go behind the scenes of ABC's Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe-winning sensation, Abbott Elementary, with one of the show's executive producers, Patrick Schumacker. Hailed by critics as a refreshingly authentic and heartwarming mockumentary comedy, Abbott Elementary has been celebrated for its sharp humor, relatable characters, and poignant exploration of community.
Austin Film Festival's Writers Conference, happening Oct. 23–26, 2025, will present over 150 panels on the art, craft and business of storytelling, featuring a slate of prominent industry professionals working in film, television and new media.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025
What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
From otters to sourdough, everything we learned about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's romance on the 'New Heights' podcast
Swift appeared on the Aug. 13 episode of 'New Heights' alongside Kelce and his brother, Jason. They're not fighting the alchemy. Taylor Swift appeared on boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast New Heights to talk about her new album The Life of a Showgirl, and over the course of the episode, also gave fans major insight into their relationship of more than two years. This is the first time that Swift has appeared on New Heights, which Kelce hosts with his brother Jason. But it's not surprising that Swift and Kelce flaunted their love on the mic: the two have hardly been shy about how much they care for each other, with plenty of paparazzi photos documenting their PDA at events like the U.S. Open and the Super Bowl. Just this week, Kelce gushed over his girlfriend in an interview for GQ. Swift, meanwhile, has brought Kelce into the fold on the Eras Tour, shouting him out as 'the guy on the Chiefs' in her song 'Karma' and even performing alongside him for a special version of 'I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.' Yet the New Heights podcast — the most-watched in the podcast's history at 10 million views on YouTube alone — gave nearly two hours of Swelce content, revealing more about their relationship than ever before. Here's what we learned: The friendship bracelet saga Swift and Kelce's romance began after the NFL player attended the Kansas City stop of the Eras Tour in July 2023. Kelce was enamored with Swift following her performance, and was disappointed that he couldn't meet up with her after the show in order to give her a friendship bracelet he made her — something he spoke about on New Heights back in July 2023. On her episode of New Heights, Swift teased that Kelce 'threw a tantrum' — despite not even reaching out to her management about securing a meeting. 'This dude didn't get a meet and greet and he's making it everyone's problem, that's what I thought at first,' Swift joked. But after the podcast aired, Swift said she started hearing from mutual friends that Kelce was actually a good guy, prompting her to schedule a meetup. 'I was like, if this guy isn't crazy — which is a big if,' she said, 'this is sort of what I've been writing songs about wanting to happen to me since I was a teenager.' Kelce supported Swift when she got her masters back On New Heights, Swift spoke about her long journey to gain ownership over her masters, something that she's wanted for her entire music career. When she received the phone call from her mother Andrea Swift that said she was finally able to purchase her masters, Swift went to Kelce crying. Kelce, apparently, also had an emotional reaction. 'I started crying, too,' Kelce said on the podcast, to which Swift added, 'You were weeping.' 'I was just so happy for you, because I've seen, I've seen how you make music. I've seen how you make these videos,' he explained. Swift loves to bake for Kelce — and the whole family Swift joked that she gets into a new baking obsession 'every six months' — and that the Kelce family reaps the benefits. She sent Kelce sourdough loafs while the athlete was at training camp, and also made a funfetti sourdough bread for Kelce's brother and New Heights co-host Jason Kelce's four daughters. 'We put sprinkles in everything when we hang out,' Swift said. 'She's a loafer for life now,' Kelce joked. Kelce loves otters The couple admitted that the internet can be a tough place, given how many people want to weigh in on their lives — but it's also a beautiful one, because 'Travis shows me videos of otters on his Instagram algorithm,' Swift said. 'I want a wild otter so bad,' Kelce said. Kelce's heard the 'bangers' on Unsurprisingly, Kelce has already heard The Life of a Showgirl, and loves the new album, which he called a 'complete 180' from a lot of the songs on her previous album The Tortured Poets Department. 'I've been fortunate enough to hear every single song on here, so I know they're all 12 bangers,' he said. 'It's a lot more upbeat, and it's a lot more like fun pop, like excitement.' Swift and Kelce tune out the noise around their relationship While many people have commented — and speculated — about the state of her and Kelce's romance, Swift told Jason on the podcast that she tries to stay tuned out of the noise online. 'Anything you feed your brain, it will internalize,' Swift said. 'Anything you feed the internet, it will kill. I've been in the music industry for 20 years — it's pretty hard to hurt my feelings.' Kelce admitted he was worried about some of the 'wacko theories' that emerged when they first started dating, and was concerned it could 'screw up' his romance with Swift. 'Her being so calm, cool, collected and so just real and understanding about everything that's going on really made me grow up real fast in that, in that aspect of things,' he said. Swift also shared that Kelce's ability to laugh off comments online has helped her shake them off, too. 'I think the fact that you genuinely find a lot of online discourse to be truly hilarious, that changes things for me,' she said. 'If he's seeing things and he thinks it's funny and it doesn't even affect his day at all, that's really completely bled into the way that I metabolize these things.' Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
10 minutes ago
- Forbes
‘Highest 2 Lowest': Are Rotten Tomatoes Reviews High On Denzel Washington Film?
Highest 2 Lowest —Denzel Washington's latest film with director Spike Lee — is new in theaters this weekend. How are Rotten Tomatoes critics reacting to crime drama? Rated R, Highest 2 Lowest opens in limited release on Friday. The official summary for the film reads, 'When a titan music mogul (Denzel Washington), widely known as having the 'best ears in the business'' is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma. 'Brothers Denzel Washington and Spike Lee reunite for the 5th in their long working relationship for a reinterpretation of the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's crime thriller High and Low, now played out on the mean streets of modern day New York City.' Highest 2 Lowest, which staged its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival in May, also stars Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera and Wendell Pierce. As of Thursday, Rotten Tomatoes critics have collectively given Highest 2 Lowest a 92% 'fresh' rating based on 92 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus for the film reads, 'Spike Lee and Denzel Washington remix a classic with vibrantly contemporary results in Highest 2 Lowest, a swaggering thriller that lovingly showcases New York City.' The RT audience summary and Popcornmeter score based on verified user ratings is still pending. What Are Individual Critics Saying About 'Highest 2 Lowest'? Steve Pond of The Wrap is among the top critics on RT who gives Highest 2 Lowest a 'fresh' review on RT, writing, 'Highest 2 Lowest is a mixture of gleaming, professional filmmaking and curious choices. It's a showcase for a classic powerhouse, [Denzel] Washington, and an upstart one, A$AP Rocky.' Robert Daniels of is also high on Highest 2 Lowest, writing in his 'fresh' RT review summary, 'Unabashedly epic, fearlessly funny, and proudly Black, Highest 2 Lowest might derive from a Japanese filmmaker. But its soul clearly resides in [Spike] Lee." Also alluding to Spike Lee's direction of Highest 2 Lowest in his RT review summary is David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter, who writes, 'The director is in the role of the flashy, panache-y showman here, and he plays it to perfection, delivering a big, highly polished chunk of movie that's pure enjoyment.' Lindsey Bahr of The Associated Press also gives the film a 'fresh' review on RT, but has some reservations, writing, 'Highest 2 Lowest may not reach the heights of some of Lee's best films, but it's the kind film that makes you hope Lee and Washington have more to make together.' John Bleasdale of Time Out is one of the two top critics on RT who have given Highest 2 Lowest a 'rotten' rating to date, writing, '[Spike] Lee has made stunningly good crime thrillers – Clockers and 25th Hour – but like his protagonist, here he appears to be struggling to stay relevant and still use his own unique voice.' Tim Grierson of Screen International is the other top critic on RT who gives Highest 2 Lowest a 'rotten' rating, writing, 'Ultimately, the picture's energetic swirl comes across as slightly hollow, its barrage of themes and impulses never finding harmony.' Highest 2 Lowest opens in limited release in theaters on Friday.
Entrepreneur
11 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
Jesse Itzler and Devon Levesque on the Mad Fun of Runningman
Serial entrepreneurs and gonzo endurance athletes Jesse Itzler and Devon Levesque break down their latest adventures and the method behind the madness of their upcoming Runningman Festival. Every week on our show, How Success Happens, I get to talk to incredible people who accomplish amazing things in the face of great obstacles. Most entrepreneurs wish they could avoid big obstacles, but others seek them out. Such is the case for Jesse Itzler and Devon Levesque, the one-two punch behind the epic Runningman Festival, a three-day health and wellness event that is equal parts adult summer camp, business networking, party, and athletic race. (Tickets are available here.) For the past 35 years, Itzler has cemented his status as a game-changing entrepreneur, founding and selling companies like Marquis Jet and Zico Coconut Water. He's a bestselling author and speaker — and a guy who likes to run 100-mile ultramarathons in his spare time. Levesque built and sold nutrition brand Promix for nine figures, and does things like completing a marathon-length bear crawl when he is not building new companies. Related: Kim Perell Shares The Mistakes That Made Her a Millionaire The two describe Runningman as a kind of Disneyland where health and wellness meet business. There are motivational speakers, breakout sessions, and on the second day, they put the "running" in Runningman. Attendees have access to a one-mile loop for eight hours that they can use however they choose — some walk a mile, take a yoga class, then walk another mile. Others run 5Ks, 10Ks, and over the last two years, some have used the time to complete ultramarathons. "It's about getting whatever you want out of it, meeting people out there, building friendships and even making deals," says Itzler. I spoke with Itzler and Levesque about their wild festival, and the business and life lessons they've learned from pushing their bodies to their outer limits. Listen to our entire conversation here or watch it above, and read below for three success takeaways. Subscribe to How Success Happens to get a dose of inspiration twice a week! Apple | Spotify | YouTube Continue to redefine success for yourself. In his 20s and 30s, Jesse says success was all about "trying to be richer than the next guy," but now is says it means figuring out what buckets are the most important to you — family, health, philanthropy, business — and striving to do whatever you can to be as good as you can in those areas you truly care about. Understand that physical pain can bring mental well-being. Devon says that pushing his body to its physical limits brings a sense of calmness to his brain, allowing him to "approach the world in a better way" and "stops me from making chaotic decisions." He says it has made him stronger when facing any obstacle in his life. "You learn that pain is temporary." Start with fun, and success will follow. Planning Runningman is unlike any other business endeavor. "We've never talked about how to make more money — our conversations are 'Is there a way to have an ice skating rink there in the middle of summer in Georgia? Do you know 50 people on stilts that can do a Slip 'n' Slide? Our conversations are insane!" Fast facts Devon holds a world record for performing the highest altitude backflip, which he did at the peak of Mount Everest. Jesse wrote "Go, New York, Go!", the theme song for the New York Knicks that has been played since 1993.
