Bryan Poyser Leaves Austin Film Society For Filmmaking; Job Opening!

The Austin Film Society announced today that Bryan Poyser, director of artist services since 2006, will leave the organization next month to direct a new film.

"This has been coming for a while, but it's a little scary to be making the transition right now," Poyser told Indiewire earlier today. "Filmmaking has always been my main passion, so I'm hoping it will work out."

Poyser, whose previous directing credits include "Dear Pillow"and the Sundance-acclaimed "Lovers of Hate," plans to shoot his new feature in Austin in April and May. Poyser described the film as "my version of romantic comedy," acknowledging that it will contain the same playful raunchiness that distinguished his previous efforts.

"It's going to be kind of filthy, but in a creative way," he said.

Additionally, unlike his previous microbudgets, Poyser said that the untitled project is "bigger than anything I've done before."

To supplement his filmmaking, Poyser plans to continue working as a teacher. Most recently, he taught a screenwriting course at Texas State University - San Marcos and will teach another this spring with hopes of landing similar gigs in the future. Rounding out his schedule, he hopes to shoot another film about "a dysfunctional family in Mexico" later this year. He is also developing a television pilot.

Poyser spoke lovingly of his time at ASF, where he spearheaded the Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund, among other initiatives.

"Austin still has a very fragile film industry, but our community is amazingly strong and vibrant," he said. "A lot of that comes back to the Film Society and the support we've given to filmmakers, both morally and monetarily."

Meanwhile, ASF will continue to grow. By the end of 2012, there are plans for its expansion into a 70,000-square-foot space that will include two new production stages. And Poyser plans to remain involved.

"It's been a big part of my life since I started working here and I'm sure my involvement will continue, even in an informal basis," he said. "I want to continue to help articulate that vision." 

The AFS announced an opening for an Associate Artistic Director to fill Poyser's position.