I was super excited when I learnt that my short documentary “Flutter” was accepted to SXSW.  After weeks of prepping postcards, business cards and posters, it was time to go.

My buildup to departure was full of anxiety. With full east coast snowstorm alerts, it wasn’t a sure bet I’d make it out of NY in time for Day 1 of SXSW. After repeated flight status checks, we arrived to JKF and boarded fairly successfully.  (Although my producer had more of a planes/ trains / and automobiles adventure).

My flight was fully SXSW loaded—full of chatter, absent of baby cries, a plethora of drink refills and a downed internet system from being overloaded with too many log in attempts. So I escaped NY and its snowstorm threats successfully, merely to arrive to a crazy wind, rain and lightning storm. No problem.

Okay Austin. Hello SouthBy. What do you have for me?

Here are the top ten things I’ve learnt on my first time to this festival and this town. Take them for whatever it’s worth.

1. Gummy vitamins make a great breakfast. Luna bars make a great lunch. If I knew how to use twitter, I’d might write #vegetarian #Austin
2. Pack your dvd screeners in your carry on. When my producer’s lost luggage was finally delivered, missing from the bag were her leather jacket, her perfume and all 50 Flutter screener dvds.
3. Avoid someone who offers this pickup line: You’re Jewish? I am too! (This might lead to you randomly turning to a group of filmmakers and saying “Help” and then making new friends)
4. Always enter the raffle- you might win. (Yay for filmmakers lunch and winning a brand new Avid Media Composer. Signed, yours truly #Avid)
5. Make friends with your bus ride companion, your luncheon or happy hour neighbor. Why not? They could be cool. And that also means go to the happy hour—a quieter venue conducive to conversation.
6. Be patient in lines for coffee, food, movies. You’re not in NY anymore. This town is friendly and moves at a less rushed pace.
7. See at least 1 movie per day. Aim for 2.  Try to see something in the Topher Theater- a beautiful venue with a giant screen.
8. Bring good walking shoes and prepare to use them. It’s a walking town. (Thankfully, it almost justifies all the food indulging)
9. Stay hydrated. Take time-outs when needed. But most importantly…
10. Take it all in.

Overall, it’s been a great week, full of numerous conversations, contact exchanges, guacamole induced food comas, and movie going experiences.  Flutter played beautifully and the screenings were a great success. Thank you Austin and the programmers for inviting me into your film home.  Thank you to my team for coming out to SXSW for the screenings and sharing in the fun. New York, here I come. It’s time for a vacation.

***

Flutter shares the life of John Bedford, a 76yr old amateur butterfly collector. Immensely visual, the film follows John on his excursion to the jungles of Vietnam, plunging audiences into a world of wonder and childlike excitement. But as the film reveals, our subject is as fragile as the habitat he loves and seeks to preserve. Extending beyond the exotic and gorgeous butterflies, this is the reflective and meditative portrait of a lonely man seeking companionship in the arms of nature.

For more information, visit flutterthemovie.tumblr.com and darabratt.com

darabratt@gmail.com