Far West Films

West Texas art house film festival returns to Marfa with all-new lineup

Marfa's Crowly Theater will host the festival.

CineMarfa, West Texas' annual film festival, returns to Marfa for another celebration of indie gems and artist-made cinema. Held in the historic Crowley Theater, the fest runs May 3-6, and highlights 10 films over the course of the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The best part? All screenings are free and open to the public.

The 2018 festival’s theme is inspired by one of its feature films, Storytelling for Earthly Survival. Directed by Fabrizio Terranova, Storytelling ... is a portrait of feminist cultural theorist Donna Haraway and explores her influential ideas about gender, technology, ecology, and interspecies relations.

Kicking off the festival on May 3 is Betzabé García’s Kings of Nowhere, a "beautifully shot" documentary that tells the story of three families living in a northern Mexico city partially submerged by water. "Despite their loneliness and the threat of violence from the Sinaloa drug cartel, they carry on the tasks of their daily existence," explain the filmmakers on the website.

Other CineMarfa highlights include the Texas premiere of Water Makes Us Wet from eco-activists Annie Sprinkle and Beth Stephens, Frederick Wiseman’s 1974 documentary Primate, and a selection of short films exploring the languages and landscapes of indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest.

Kids can get in on the fun during an 11 am screening of Pom Poko on May 6. Originally released in 1994, the full-length animated feature tells the story of the "Raccoons of the Tama Hills" who watch their homes disappear due to the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. (Kind of sounds like Austin and condos, but we digress.)

For the art lovers in attendance, don't miss the May 6 screening of Journey To Seven Light Bay, which documents an original sculpture by artist Mariko Mori's as it floats in a small bay in Japan. Just don't be late. At 2 minutes and 46 seconds, this film begins at 8 pm and ends promptly at 8:03 pm. For more details and a full schedule, head to CineMarfa.

movies festivals

Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

undefined

American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

flights airport