Hosted by film journalist and enthusiast (and native Texan) Austin Zook, LONE STAR SILVER SCREEN is a show dedicated to everything that exists at the intersection of Texas and the movies. Each week, Austin is joined by a guest to discuss either a film with ties to Texas or a topic of interest in the Texas film industry.
Austin is joined by filmmaker John Moore today to discuss his new documentary, When We Were Live , which will play the Oak Cliff Film Festival this weekend. They talk about John's decision to let found footage from Austin's public access television scene tell its own story, the process he went through to turn that footage into a coherent film, and the importance of taking constructive criticism. Tickets for the 8/2 OCFF screening: https://ocff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a35b2a04fce8a3c10851b26?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnrVWXMeGDZN6DUIBRAxT92ProDz4eva_z3kQwdjCG2yATVAy-QZmkisLEicU_aem_ye04EApw9dkhn_dOj7_vJw WWWL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whenwewerelive/ WWWL Website: https://www.whenwewerelive.com/
'You Can Color Outside the Lines' w/ Director Joe Salinas
23 min
Austin is joined by filmmaker Joe Salinas to discuss his new documentary about pioneering punk band Big Boys. They discuss the band's music, the legacy of Austin punk, and how bringing on Andrew Leeper as an additional editor helped him get the project over the finish line. YCCOTL OCFF Tickets: https://ocff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a35af954f6a2d50da54d818/tickets Joe Salinas' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joesalinasfilms?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Andrew Leeper's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellolightningatx?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
'The Last Critic' w/ Director Matty Wishnow
22 min
Austin is joined by director Matty Wishnow to discuss his new feature, The Last Critic , which will be playing at the Oak Cliff Film Festival later this month. They discuss the life and career of music critic Robert Christgau, how Matty was able to get some of the sharpest cultural commentators on the planet to take part in his debut documentary, and the pleasures of breakfast tacos. The Last Critic screens Friday, July 31 at 8:45PM at the Kessler Theater. Tickets are available now: https://ocff2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a30949848d846b6463575d5 The Last Critic Website: https://www.thelastcriticfilm.com/ The Last Critic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelastcriticfilm/ Robert Christgau's Substack: https://robertchristgau.substack.com/
Editing 'The Furious' w/ Chris Tonick
20 min
Austin has a dream guest on today with editor extraordinaire and SMU alum Chris Tonick joining to talk about his career and, more specifically, the work he did on one of the most exciting movies of 2026, the Hong Kong action film The Furious ! Don't miss Chris explaining how Hong Kong action films are edited, how he worked his way through the ranks to find himself on this project, and what the guys think about the later works in Frank Herbert's Dune saga! The Furious Webpage: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/the-furious Chris Tonick's Website: https://christonick.com/
'The Man with the Big Hat' w/ Director Austin Sayre
23 min
Austin is joined by...another Austin! Director Austin Sayre is on the show this week, discussing his new documentary, 'The Man with the Big Hat,' about the life and work of musician Steven Fromholz. They discuss Sayre's introduction to Fromholz, how a broken pelvis nearly threw a wrench in their initial schedule, and the evolution of Austin as a musical mecca in Texas! 'The Man with the Big Hat' Website: https://www.themanwiththebighatfilm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themanwiththebighatfilm/
CineFestival w/ Eugenio Del Bosque
26 min
Austin is joined by festival director Eugenio Del Bosque to discuss CineFestival, which is celebrating 50 years of spotlighting latino/a films for their audience in San Antonio. They discuss the festival's evolution, the role they can play in young filmmakers' development, adapting to unexpected programming challenges, and more! CineFestival runs from July 9-12 in San Antonio, TX. More information can be found below: CineFestival Website: https://guadalupeculturalarts.org/cine-festival/ CineFestival IG: https://www.instagram.com/cinefestival/?hl=en
'Mantis' w/ Director Justice Hardy & EP Lindsey Barnes
36 min
This week, Austin is joined by writer/director Justice Hardy and Executive Producer Lindsey Barnes to discuss their new film, Mantis , a sci-fi/horror/thriller. They discuss the origins of Mantis ' heady concept (interviewing murder suspects up to 36 hours after they die), the role of an EP on an indie film, what films influenced Mantis (and which ones would make a killer double feature with it), and the magic of good Tex-Mex. PRODUCTION NOTE: Austin's audio is a little muddy in the intro. It only lasts about 10 seconds. This is why we don't record with headsets, kids. MANTIS IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXLRFtBjbCN/ 941 PRODUCTIONS IG: https://www.instagram.com/941_productions_/ Chapters 00:00 Origins of Mantis 07:55 The Role of an Executive Producer 14:04 Creating a Collaborative Environment 24:54 Screening at the Dallas International Film Festival 30:40 Sound Design and Editing Process 36:55 Future of Mantis and Production Studio
'Broken Land' w/ J.T. Walker
20 min
Austin is joined by writer/director J.T. Walker to discuss his new film, Broken Land . The movie is Texas to its core, tackling timely issues and showcasing the rugged beauty of the Lone Star State. During their conversation, Austin learns how J.T. conceived of the film and brought it to life, as well as how they crafted an authentic, emotional experience on set. Rent Broken Land : https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Broken-Land/4952332 Chapters 00:00 The Origin Story 06:01 Cinematography and Naturalism 11:28 On-Screen Chemistry 17:24 Script Reflection
Femme Frontera Film Festival w/ Jackie Barragan and Mariana "Manis" Góngora
17 min
Austin is joined by the co-directors of the El Paso-based Femme Frontera Film Festival, which runs from June 11-14. It is FREE to the public and dedicated to providing a platform for female and gender-expansive filmmakers; Manis also helps lead the La Frontera Film Lab, which seeks to amplify voices from the U.S.-Mexico border region and teach female and gender-expansive filmmakers about documentary filmmaking. Femme Frontera Site: https://www.femmefrontera.org/ Email Address: info@femmefrontera.org La Frontera Film Lab: https://www.femmefrontera.org/femme-frontera-border-film-lab Film Frontera IG: https://www.instagram.com/femme_frontera/?hl=en Manis' IG: https://www.instagram.com/manisgongora?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Jackie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/jackie_iyari/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Video Game Adaptations w/ Stone Swad
34 min
Austin is joined by local filmmaker Stone Swad to talk about the recent wave of video game adaptations. Is this good for the movie industry? Is Legend of Zelda overrated? And what would the best video game to film in Texas be? Find out in this episode! Stone's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.ston3y/
HAAPIFEST 2026 w/ Tengah Nguyen
21 min
Austin is joined by festival director Tengah Nguyen of HAAPIFEST (that's the Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival) to discuss the festival's origins, objectives, and their 2026 slate! This is a hybrid event featuring in person and online screenings over the course of two weeks, from May 29 - June 14. You can learn more at the links below: HAAPIFEST Website: https://www.haapifest.org/ HAAPIFEST Insta: https://www.instagram.com/haapifest/?hl=en
Texas Movie News Roundup - May 22, 2026
11 min
Austin is flying solo this week, running through some Texas movie news and his thoughts on recent films he caught at the theater. Movies reviewed include: OBSESSION, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY: THE SORCERY OF NYMPH CIRCE, PROJECT HAIL MARY, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES, IS GOD IS, IN THE GREY. Movie news sources: Paramount Theater: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/austin/article/austin-tx-summer-film-series-paramount-22260695.php Orange, TX Film Fest: https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/film-and-arts-festival-coming-to-downtown-orange/502-18440269-7031-4a96-82e8-6a24dc3faa73 Ken Paxton Sues Netflix: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-sues-netflix-spying-texas-kids-and-consumers-illegally-collecting-users Fine Arts Theatre in Denton: https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/dentons-fine-arts-theatre-is-coming-back-to-life-carrying-a-century-of-movie-history-with-it-40677687/
The Art of Conversation w/ Hayley N. Chow of History Undressed
32 min
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/
Texas Movie News Roundup - April 27, 2026
13 min
Howdy! This week, Austin's doing something a little different. Instead of bringing a guest on, he's indulging in his worst tendencies and monologuing about Texas industry news and what he's been doing lately. Includes: Thoughts on the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), Mother Mary 's box office performance, the new director attached A24's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre , and more!
The Beautiful Chaos of Producing 'One In A Million' w/ the Kassis Family
23 min
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-million Space 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
'Reality Bites' w/ Simon Pruitt
46 min
Austin is joined by multi-hyphenate Simon Pruitt to discuss Ben Stiller's 1994 Gen X manifesto, Reality Bites , starring Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder. During their chat, they ask the big questions: What happened to Janeane Garofalo's career? Does art have value if it's terrible? Why would anyone choose to cosplay as a peasant at a renaissance festival? Listen to learn the answers to these burning questions - and so much more. Simon Pruitt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonpruitt?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Zounds Sounds B-Side: https://www.zoundssoundsbside.org/ Spacy (Microcinema): https://www.spacydtx.com/
The Texas Movie Star Mt. Rushmore w/ Cait Kennedy
54 min
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/
Releasing 'Shuffle' w/ Filmmaker Benjamin Flaherty
27 min
Austin is joined by the great Benjamin Flaherty to discuss his independent documentary Shuffle , chronicling fraud in the addiction treatment industry. Benjamin shares his experience working alongside people struggling with addiction as someone who went through treatment for alcoholism, what happened after the film won an award at SXSW in 2025, and what it's like to live with a project for 7 years before getting it out into the world. Stop the Shuffle Website: https://www.stoptheshuffle.com/ Follow Shuffle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoptheshuffle?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Releasing 'El Tonto Por Cristo' w/ Filmmaker Josh David Jordan
34 min
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 .
An Introduction to the OK2BX Film Festival w/ Brent & Chris Bolding
21 min
This week, Austin is joined by Brent and Chris Bolding, the founders of the OK2BX Film Festival, gearing up for its fifth (!!!) outing this year! Launched to honor the memory of Eleanor Bolding, OK2BX serves as a platform for youth filmmakers to showcase their work. The festival focuses on inclusivity and storytelling while providing workshops and college fairs to support aspiring filmmakers. OK2BX Website: https://ok2bx.org/ Social Media: OK2BX Foundation & OK2BX Film Festival Submissions Page: FilmFreeway
