SXSW Features John McKetta in Faces of Austin Exhibit
The SXSW Film Festival premiered “A Century of Change: A Short Film About John McKetta” as part of its Community Programming 2017 Faces of Austin Exhibit.
The exhibit showcased work of local filmmakers that reflects the diverse faces, voices, and experiences that make up Austin’s unique identity. Directed by Mat Hames and produced by independent film studio Alpheus Media, the 8-minute film was one of 14 works selected from a pool of more than 60 submissions. Hames was also one of three filmmakers to receive a semifinalist award during the short film program.
The piece looks at the life of 101-year-old Professor Emeritus John McKetta who worked his way out of the Pennsylvania coal mines to become one of the world’s most recognized and beloved chemical engineers and who remains one of the most legendary educators at The University of Texas at Austin.
Alpheus Media also produced the department’s centennial documentary “A Grand Scale” in 2016, which was the team’s first introduction to John McKetta.
“We were honored to help The University of Texas at Austin tell the story of John McKetta, truly one of the most fascinating people in Austin,” said Mat Hames from Alpheus Media. “We’re grateful that the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division agreed that John McKetta’s story deserved to be shown to the SXSW Festival audience.”
Tags: A Century of Change, Alpheus Media, chemical engineering, documentary, Faces of Austin, Film Festival, John McKetta, South by Southwest, SXSW, SXSW Film Festival, UT Austin