The 2010 Texas Film Hall of Fame awards are the unofficial kickoff of SXSW.
The biggest name among the latest inductees into the Austin Film Society's Texas Hall of Fame was director Quentin Tarantino. He moved past the media quicker than an action shot in one of his movies, but his presenter, director Robert Rodriguez couldn't wait to comment on the honor presented to Tarantino.
"It's wonderful, I love to be able to recognize Texas talent and I consider Quentin Texas talent because he works here a lot, he's very kind to Texas and there's no greater honor than to be an honorary Texan," said Robert Rodriguez, who has directed several films.
Then it looked like a scene from Animal House. Tim Matheson was the presenter, but this was D-Day's day. Bruce McGill has starred in over 100 movies.
"To get singled out and be brought to the forefront it feels really good and I'm old enough to appreciate it and not be jaded or embarrassed by it, I'm happy and proud and I thank them," said McGill.
Austin's Lukas Haas, whose grandfather played football for UT and wrote for the Statesman, was also inducted.
"It's amazing how much the film community has been embraced in Austin, it's like back in the day when I was younger it was really only in Los Angeles, the studio, SXSW, all the films being made here, directors coming out of here it's really become a film community, so it's just a great feeling that this is happening and I'm being honored, it's really great," said Hass.
Also honored, Michael Nesmith of the Monkees fame, but who's also carved out a film-making niche and actress Catherine O'Hara accepted the award for the film Waiting For Guffman.
Director Richard Linklater founded the Austin Film Society ten years ago and says it's exciting to see the film industry and Austin community come together.
