The Austin Film Festival has announced its first wave of films for the event that runs from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3.
Highlights include “Nanny” from Nikyatu Jusu, Sarah Polley’s “Women Talking,” Dominic Lopez’s “Little Jar” and Ryan White’s “Good Night Oppy.”
“Nanny,” which Jusu wrote and directed, is described as a fable about a woman (Anna Diop) who emigrates from Senegal to care for the daughter of an unbalanced white couple living in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood. Jusu will attend the festival and receive the New Voice Award. “Nanny” won the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2022.
“Women Talking,” written and directed by Polley, is based on the novel by Miriam Toews. It follows a group of women in an isolated religious colony, where they suffer sexual assaults. Polley will attend the festival along with producer Dede Gardner.
“Little Jar,” written and directed by Lopez, focuses on a misanthrope who befriends Ulysses, a dead mouse in a jar.
“Good Night Oppy,” written and directed by White, tells the story of Opportunity, the rover that went to Mars for a 90-day mission but survived for 15 years.
Also screening are: “After Sun,” from writer/director Charlotte Wells; “Beauty of a Blank Space,” written and directed by Ryan Love; “Salma’s Home,” written and directed by Hanadi Elyan; and “Who Invited Charlie?,” written and directed by Xavier Manrique.
More screenings and panelists will be announced in late September. For more information, visit austinfilmfestival.com.
