AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES CHRISTINE VACHON TO RECEIVE THE 2025 POLLY PLATT AWARD FOR PRODUCING
Vachon’s groundbreaking filmography will be honored at Austin Film Festival’s Awards Luncheon, where she will speak about her body of work and contributions to the landscape of cinema.
Austin, TX (February 4, 2025) – AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL (AFF) – announced today the Polly Platt Award for Producing will be given to legendary independent producer Christine Vachon, during the 2025 Writers Conference happening October 23 – 26, 2025. Established in 2019, this honor is named after industry pioneer Polly Platt, an early and longtime supporter of AFF. The award is given annually to producers with a keen sense of story, who have a history of fostering new talent. Previous recipients include Kathleen Kennedy (2024), Lauren Shuler Donner (2023), Dede Gardner (2022), Stephanie Allain (2021), and Sarah Green (2019).
Christine Vachon is an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award winner who co-founded powerhouse Killer Films with partner Pamela Koffler in 1995. Over three decades, they have produced more than 100 films, including some of the most celebrated and important American independent features: KIDS, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, HAPPINESS, BOYS DON’T CRY, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, FAR FROM HEAVEN, ONE HOUR PHOTO, STILL ALICE, CAROL, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, and DARK WATERS.
In television, Vachon executive-produced the Emmy and Golden Globe-awarded miniseries MILDRED PIERCE for HBO as well as the Emmy Award-winning limited series HALSTON for Netflix. Recent releases include Todd Haynes; MAY DECEMBER (Netflix), starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, and Celine Song; PAST LIVES (A24), which marks her first Oscar nomination in the Best Picture category.
Austin Film Festival’s Writers Conference, happening October 23 – 26, 2025, will again present over 150 panels on the art, craft, and business of storytelling, featuring a slate of prominent industry professionals working in film, television, and new media.
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL & WRITERS CONFERENCE Entering its 32nd year, Austin Film Festival; Writers Conference is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television, theater, and new media. AFF champions the work of aspiring and established storytellers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. This project is supported in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts. The 32nd Annual Austin Film Festival will take place October 23 – 26, 2025. All attendees and events are based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by phone at 512-478-4795.
ABOUT POLLY PLATT AWARD FOR PRODUCING
Introduced in 2019, the Polly Platt Award is given to producers with a keen sense of story and who have a history of fostering new talent. Named after the legendary Polly Platt who was instrumental in the early years of Austin Film Festival and was an ardent champion of writers. Past award recipients include Kathleen Kennedy (2024), Lauren Shuler Donner (2023), Dede Garner (2022), Stephanie Allain (2021), and Sarah Green (2019).
PRESS CONTACT:
Kristen O’Brien
Austin Film Festival
(512) 660-8850
kristengobrien@gmail.com