"Dirt" kicks off Best of the Austin Film Festival series

Tomorrow night (Thursday July 27) at 7:30 p.m. the Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek and the Austin Film Festival launch the "Best of the Austin Film Festival" series with a screening of the AFF 2005 Best Documentary Feature Dirt.

A documentary by Jeff Bowden, Dirt follows a season inside the soul of American auto racing the World Class Street Stocks at the legendary Devils Bowl Speedway, in Mesquite, Texas, as the racers careen on and off the track toward the season championship.

This season, Gayla Jones climbs out of the stands and puts on a pink firesuit, becoming the first and only woman driver at the Devil's Bowl. She is sponsored by a former racer whose interest in her extends beyond the back straightaway. Gayla is also racing against her husband, Andy, who already competes in the same class. From the very first race, Gayla is a hot pink hazard, forced off the track by bullies and her own inexperience. The question for her is no longer about winning, but instead: can she survive the season?

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and Jones herself. Admission is $6 or free to AFF members, and the Alamo in its usual style will serve a special "dirt track concession" style menu. Should be a good time.

(Full disclosure - I work for the Austin Film Festival.)