Buckle up cinephiles, the Austin Film Festival has fresh news for you – the second batch of screenings for this year's gig, scheduled from October 23 to October 30, are locked and loaded

The Lone Star State is buzzing as new Texas premieres like Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" starring Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal; "Jay Kelly" by Noah Baumbach featuring George Clooney and Adam Sandler and Park Chan-wook’s suspenseful "No Other Choice" come to town. Also walking the red carpet is the U.S. premier of "Sacrificios."

As for world premiers, we've got Kelly Kipscomb's appetizing "Bite To Bite," the quirky tale of pickleball titled "Pickleheads" by Jared Bonner and Josh Flanagan, and a miniature bio-documentary "Armadillo Man: The Trips of Jim Franklin". This short film pays tribute to a concert poster artist who played a vital role in shaping Austin’s favorite music venue, Armadillo World Headquarters.

Other captivating stories making their debut include "Sell Out," a gripping dramedy by Nick and Josh Holden exploring the struggles of a novelist, "Not Without Hope"- a chilling true account of four mates marooned at sea, and "Tuesday’s Flu," a crime drama about a gambler seeking redemption.

In other news, Tubi is set to present a riotous comedy movie "Senior Prank" on September 14th, featuring a school graduation farce gone haywire, starring Noah Toth, Anna Benuzzi, Gray Fagan, and Lonnie Marts, among others.

Meanwhile, Guild Members in Hollywood should get ready for an immersive Jewish experience as The Temple of Arts offers complimentary seats to High Holy Day services happening from September 13 to October 2. Luminaries like Russian artist Andrei Kozlov, civil rights attorney Leo Terrell, and UCLA’s Professor Dr. Judea Pearl are on the guest list.

The Soho International Film Festival (SIFFNYC) is also setting the stage, opening the curtains with the anticipated world premiere of “After All," starring none other than Erika Christensen and Penelope Ann Miller. They'll also showcase "Flower of the Dawn," an animated feature with Mel Brooks and Jane Lynch, "Books" by Micah Khan, and a few more dazzling titles.

Last but not least, get ready for the return of the Brat Pack! “St. Elmo’s Fire” is turning up the heat with a 40th-anniversary re-release on October 17 in a glossy 4K version. We can’t wait to revisit the beloved gang from Georgetown University as they navigate adulthood.

So, grab some popcorn and mark your calendars – the show's about to start!