AFS Presents Austin Premiere of Richard Linklater’s ME AND ORSON WELLES

The Austin Film Society is excited to present the Austin Premiere of ME AND ORSON WELLES, a new film by Richard Linklater starring Christian McKay, Zac Efron and Claire Danes, on November 30 at 7 PM at The Paramount Theater (713 Congress Avenue). Linklater, McKay and Efron will attend the screening. Buy Tickets >>

Based in real theatrical history, ME AND ORSON WELLES is a romantic, coming-of-age story about a teenage actor who lucks into a role in Julius Caesar as it’s being re-imagined by a brilliant, impetuous young director named Orson Welles at his newly-founded Mercury Theater in NYC, 1937.

The rollercoaster week leading up to opening night has the charismatic-but-sometimes-cruel Welles (impressive newcomer Christian McKay) staking his career on this risky production while Richard (Zac Efron) mixes with everyone from starlets to stagehands in behind-the-scenes adventures bound to change him.

Claire Danes co-stars as Sonja Jones, the unapologetically ambitious assistant to Welles whom Richard tries to woo.  Ben Chaplin plays Mercury Theater regular George Coulouris.  Zoe Kazan, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly and James Tupper are among the talented ensemble cast.  The fast-moving screenplay by Austinites Holly Gent Palmo and Vince Palmo is based on Robert Kaplow’s meticulously researched novel of the same name.  Oscar®-nominated director Richard Linklater is at the helm of the CinemaNX and Detour Filmproduction, opening nationally in select cities November 25, 2009, and in Austin on December 4, 2009.

Tickets are on sale through The Paramount Theatre box office and ProTix. Pricing as follows (not including service charges):

$125 VIP seating and official after-party with Linklater, McKay and Efron
$50 (Orchestra), $35 (Mezzanine) and $15 (Upper Balcony) for the screening including a Q&A

Red carpet arrivals will begin at 6:30 PM. Press wishing to cover the red carpet MUST obtain credentials by emailing Agnes Varnum at agnes@austinfilm.org. No admittance to the red carpet area without credentials.

Special thanks to event sponsors: The Roaring Fork, Concord Limousine Service, The Highball, Tito’s Vodka and Sweet Leaf Teas.

This screening is a benefit for the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund, which was started in 1996 by Richard Linklater to assist emerging Texas filmmakers.

Austin Film Society promotes the appreciation of film and supports creative filmmaking by screening rarely seen films, giving grants and other support to emerging filmmakers, and providing access and education about film to youth and the public. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 in partnership with the City of Austin, AFS helps attract film development and production to Austin and Texas. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards raise funds as well as awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. The Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America. For more information on Austin Film Society, visit www.austinfilm.org.

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