I think it's rare to watch raw independent filmmakers slowly push their way into theaters and actually succeed at doing so. I first noticed brothers Jay and Mark Duplass through their shorts, specifically The Intervention. For those of you who haven't seen it, the film is available on their MySpace page along with a few others. The thing that's great about the shorts is, while mixing the perfect blend of comedy and drama, they're all incredibly simple ... yet very complex.

Ultimately, these shorts are what led to their first feature film, The Puffy Chair. After winning an audience award at SXSW, pic hits arthouse theaters across the country this weekend -- and Austin is stoked about it. Variety is now reporting that Brothers Duplass have signed a blind deal (does that mean they can't see it, but need to trust it is there?) with producers Mary Parent and Scott Stuber to write and eventually direct a film. What kind of film? Hell if I know, but seeing as these two producers are behind The Break Up and You, Me and Dupree, there's a good chance we're talking big commercial hit. These boys may soon need to paint that red chair gold. Good for them -- I dig that kind of journey.

The 11th annual Gen Art Film Festival concluded last night with a screening of SXSW darling Live Free or Die, followed by the presentation of jury awards. 

Wristcutters: A Love Story took home the Acura Grand Jury Award for Best Feature and, honestly, you could tell the folks from Live Free or Die were pissed. In fact, and I don't know if this was his reason, but Michael Rapaport abruptly left immediately following the awards and was the only cast member not to participate in the Q & A. Judging from our reviews of both films, it appears Wristcutters was more worthy of its award. And I agree.

A film called The Intervention won the Acura Grand Jury Award for Best Short and my personal favorite from the festival, Behind the Mask, took the coveted Feature Film Audience Award. Why is it coveted? Well, because Gen Art claims they have the best audience. And since yours truly was in attendance for a few of the nights, I can't really disagree with that statement.