The Austin Film Festival is happening October 27 through November 3 and they’ve made some big announcements about this year’s event.

The opening night film is The Whale starring Brendan Fraser. Additionally, the film’s director Darren Aronofsky will be receiving the 2022 Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award. Aronofsky and Samuel D. Hunter, writer of The Whale, will attend the screening and participate in additional programming for AFF’s Writers Conference.

The world premiere of Vertical Entertainment’s Sam & Kate is happening on Friday, October 28. Joinging Writer/Director Darren Le Gallo in Austin will be the film’s stars, Oscar®-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, Oscar®-winning actress Sissy Spacek, Jake Hoffman, and Schuyler Fisk. This is the first time Jake and Schuyler (Sissy’s daughter) are working with their parents.

AFF is also world-premiering Daniel’s Gotta Die starring Bob Saget in his last film appearance. Joel David Moore, Jason Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carly Chaikin and Iggy Pop also star in the film. 

Find out more about AFF’s 2022 slate online at www.austinfilmfestival.com.

Featured photo via Austin Film Festival.

See which celebrities have attended the festival in the past right here.