I went to the Austin Film Society 20th Anniversary party tonight.

Held out at the Austin Studios (what was the Austin Airport), they freaking filled an aircraft hanger with film folk, cinephiles, and "friends of Austin film."

In all seriousness, kudos to AFS for this slick marketing move -- throw a free public party, combine it with a soft-sell membership drive, and drive up members, revenue, and support for all things Austin film.

Richard Linklater was on hand, as were a billion people (give or take) I don't know. Fortunately, there were a number of people I did know, because even though I'm a good networker, I didn't have the energy or the emotional wherewithal to do it tonight.

I got to hang out with Brad Koester, who I haven't seen for a while, and to whom this town owes a big "thank you" for the service AustinActors.net gives.

It's too late (and meetings start too early) for my normal rundown of folks, but it was great to see José Mata, Ms. Mars, David Blackwell, Richard Ricks, Christine Wolf, former classmate Karrie Hamilton, Leigh Green ... crap, I'm sure I'm forgetting someone(s).

I also met some new people, and Melissa Holmes, my creative/event hang out buddy? Makes these events all the more tolerable -- heck, even enjoyable.