Austin is rolling out the red carpet for director Julian Schnabel and Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids, as the Austin Film Society’s 2026 Texas Film Awards put a spotlight on some very Texas‑flavored film royalty.
The newly announced class of honorees includes Schnabel, actress Sydney Chandler, longtime character actor Sonny Carl Davis, and Rodriguez’s family adventure hit Spy Kids, which is being saluted on its 25th anniversary. The gala is set for March 5 at Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios in Austin, where organizers say principal cast and crew from Spy Kids will be on hand for the celebration. The Austin Film Society also plans screenings tied to the gala, including showings of Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante in the days leading up to the awards.
Red Carpet Night At Troublemaker Studios
According to the Austin Film Society, the evening’s program will include a red carpet, dinner, a live auction and the formal induction of this year’s honorees into the Texas Film Hall of Fame. The society notes that proceeds from the night will support its artistic and educational work for Texas filmmakers, including cash grants and production services.
Spy Kids Scores Star Treatment
As reported by The Austin Chronicle, Spy Kids will receive the Star of Texas award, with the ceremony reuniting Robert Rodriguez, producer Elizabeth Avellan and members of the original cast for the movie’s anniversary celebration. The Chronicle also notes that the Austin Film Society will host two screenings of Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante on March 2 and March 4, with Schnabel appearing in conversation after the second screening, and that Chandler is an Austin native and a St. Edward’s University alum who has drawn national attention.
Homegrown Talent And A Live Austin Soundtrack
The Austin Film Society names Sydney Chandler as this year’s Rising Star honoree and Sonny Carl Davis as one of the individual inductees, adding both to the society’s official honoree roll. Composer and keyboardist JaRon Marshall, who is known for his work with the Black Pumas, will serve as music director for the gala, and the society says a band of Austin all‑stars will back Marshall throughout the program.
What It Costs To Get In The Door
Tables and individual tickets are already on sale, with local listings placing some ticket packages at $1,000 and up and noting that the gala will take place at Troublemaker Studios (4900 Old Manor Rd.). For full details and reservations, see the event listing on Tribeza.
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