On board for this year’s Narrative Student Short jury is Miguel Alvarez. Miguel is a filmmaker and lecturer at the Radio-Television-Film department of the University of Texas. In addition to writing, directing, and producing award winning short films like Tadpoles, Kid, and Mnemosyne Rising, Miguel serves as Executive Producer on Austin Film Festivals’ Lone Star Emmy Award-winning television show On Story. As EP on On Story, Miguel finds excerpts from panels that take place during AFF’s Screenwriters Conference and pairs them with selected short films that played during Austin Film Festival. Miguel is a strong advocate of independent film, and his commitment to championing new and promising talent will benefit the Student Short category immensely this year. Learn more about Miguel below and check out all of our confirmed jurors here. For more information on On Story visit www.onstory.tv.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake up. Think about running. Think about writing. Then remember there’s an On Story fire to put out.
What’s the best part of your job?
Depends on the job! If I’m shooting, then it’s being able to tell a story visually. If it’s producing On Story, then it’s my post-production team. If it’s teaching, then it’s being called “Professor Alvarez”.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
Hmmm, tough one. Filmmakers never have just one. I’m just going to list the first ones off the top of my head.
Seven Samurai because of it’s masterful storytelling.
Amores Perros because of it’s gritty heartache.
Ratcatcher because it captures the beauty and despair of being a teen.
Children of Men because it’s the perfect minimalist sci-fi movie.
La Jetée because it’s an even more minimal sic-fi movie that is pure visual storytelling.
Tree of Life because it’s the closest thing to watching a visual symphony.
The Last American Virgin because it’s what being a teenager in the 80’s was like.
Who’s your favorite writer and why?
Favorite writer would have to be Cormac McCarthy. He’s a master wordsmith and excellent storyteller.
What’s your favorite part about Austin Film Festival?
The Fest brings such an abundance of talent and knowledge to the Conference every year that it’s become an embarrassment of riches.
What was your first job or worst job?
First job – flipping burgers at Mickey D’s. I don’t think it’s scarred me in any way…