USA Film Festival touts TexFest, a Texas-made film event

Program 1

7:30pm

Reach for the Sky, directed by Alan Chan

Visual effects artist Alan Chan makes his feature directing debut with this indie western set in 1880’s Texas.

About the director -- Alan Chan’s fifteen-year visual effects career -- which includes work on films such as G-Force, Open Season and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and (as director) the HD short, Postcards From The Future -- have won him multiple awards, including a Best Director award from HDFest.

Film synopsis -- Reach For The Sky is the story of Eryn Cates (Hannah Hague), who returns home to the family farm in Texas only to draw the unwanted attention of banker Samuel Mortimer (Ron E. Harris). Mortimer calls in the note on the family ranch and sends his men to steal Eryn's father Everett's (Hank Sinatra) prize horses, destroying the livestock and severely injuring Everett in the process. Eryn's brother Bowie (Zachary Young) throws on a bandana and takes to robbing the payroll wagon. The holdup spirals out of control when Bowie bungles the attempt, forcing Eryn to assume the bandit disguise. When two Texas Rangers arrive to investigate the robberies, Eryn falls for Ranger Jon Flint (Adam Hagenbuch), who is determined to find the masked bandit and bring 'him' to justice. Filmed on location in Glen Rose and Nemo, Texas on the wide pastures of the Brazos River, the movie strives to capture the wild spirit of life in Texas in the late 19th century.

Program 2

7:00pm

Sinners & Saints, directed by Will Kaufman

Johnny Strong, Tom Berenger and Sean Patrick Flanery headline the cast of this action thriller written and directed by local filmmaker William Kaufman.

Film synopsis -- In lawless post-Katrina New Orleans, beleaguered Detective Sean Riley is trying to cope with the death of his young son and the abandonment of his wife. Facing a probable suspension from the department, Riley is teamed with a young homicide Detective, Will Ganz, to help solve a series of brutal murders that have plunged the city into a major gang war. Other cast members include Jurgen Proknow (Das Boot, The English Patient), Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy), Costas Mandylor (the SAW franchise), Jolene Blalock (Star Trek: Enterprise), former UFC champion Bas Rutten and hip hop artist Method Man.

Program 3

8:00pm

Texas Shorts Showcase

The Kelly Tapes, directed by Paul Armstrong

Street Performer, directed by Josh Gobin

Reel Dudes, directed by David Maddox

Both The Kelly Tapes and Street Performer were finalists in the USA Film Festival’s National Short Film & Video Competition this year.