Lone Star Silver Screen

Austin is joined by artist and content creator Hayley Chow to discuss her work with History Undresed on the red carpet for the Dallas International Film Festival. They cover the challenges of working a red carpet, Hayley's work as a film and fashion historian, and her interaction with Warner Bros. executive Michael De Luca at DIFF.History Undressed: https://www.instagram.com/historyundressed/Austin's D Magazine Profile of Hayley: https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2026/03/history-undressed-hayley-chow-dallas-film/

Austin is joined by Nadeem, Cindy, and Jade Kassis to discuss their new film, One In A Million, premiering at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 26, 2026. The movie is a faith-based medical drama covering the family's real life experience when Jade was diagnosed with HLH, a rare blood disorder.Austin and the Kassis family talk about what that experience was like for them, why they decided to produce a film about it, and what it took to get this project produced. It's an emotional, heartwarming discussion that touches on the family's faith -- and what's next for them on their journey.Tickets for DIFF Screening: https://thetexastheatre.com/films-and-events/one-in-a-millionSpace Jump: https://www.spacejump.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=search+brand&utm_content=183147468426&utm_term=spacejump&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22786516207&gbraid=0AAAAA_4MJDGVWeAFdCFwodXUMhnONMAwQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw46HPBhAMEiwASZpLRAyJa2fQ-BA2WJJ1Ry2HtTETiUmID0i3LhHHCZHtCub2rMm4b__53hoCPgAQAvD_BwE

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 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.

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 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.phpPart 2 Coming Soon!

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.

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.

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.

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.