Spotlight Events feature conversations with high-profile film and television industry professionals who share helpful advice and insights on their career experiences and creative processes.

Richard Linklater has been a revolutionary force in independent cinema for over thirty years. He helped kickstart the Texas indie film scene by founding the Austin Film Society and the production company Detour Inc.

His films include Slacker, which premiered at Sundance in 1991, Dazed and Confused, The Before Trilogy, Waking Life, Boyhood, and Everybody Wants Some. His latest feature, Hit Man, premiered at Venice and will be screening at this year’s Sundance Film Festival along with the HBO series God Save Texas. Linklater executive produced the series and directed the episode Hometown Prison, in which he revisits his hometown to explore its diverse inhabitants, painting a vibrant portrait that encapsulates the criminal justice system of Texas. Inspired by a true story, Linklater directed, co-produced, and co-wrote the comedy-thriller Hit Man with star Glen Powell.

Linklater has been nominated for five Academy Awards and won Best Director at the BAFTAs, Independent Spirit Awards and Golden Globes for Boyhood. He has repeated successful collaborations with both cast and crew throughout his storied career and is committed to supporting emerging filmmakers through Austin Film Society.

For this Spotlight Event, Linklater will discuss working in his native state of Texas and his ability to innovate across format, genre and film directing styles.