Underground Film Club Sets Scene for Permanent Location in East Austin

The innovative Hyperreal Film Club, renowned for its captivating displays of independent, genre, and arthouse cinema, has finally found its home in the cultural capital of East Austin. The underground film club, co-created by Tanner Hadfield, Jenni Kaye, and David McMichael, was previously known for hosting numerous events in locations such as Hotel Vegas, the Paramount Theatre, and Violet Crown Cinema.

The New Location Of The Club

Unveiling its new location at Third and Chicon streets, the club hopes to open its clubhouse later this summer, or early this fall. The primary motive for the new location is to introduce a permanent space for hosting the much-awaited screenings. However, having signed the lease in February, the team has been hard at work transforming the space into an ambient cinematic theater, complete with a screening room, lobby, concessions area, and a balcony lounge.

Mission: Cinema For The People

By ushering in a new era of cinema for the people, the club aims to maintain Austin’s fiercely independent and frontier spirit in the ever-evolving cinema culture. They aim to create a safe space for dreamers, slackers, visionaries, and friends who contribute to the culture and future of film in Austin.

Funds raised through Kickstarter

On May 31, 2024, Hyperreal Film Club initiated a Kickstarter campaign that ran through July 13. The fundraising efforts aimed to gather a total of $50,000 to secure its operations at the new location. On the first day, the club managed to raise over $18,500, showing a promising start to their mission. The funds generated in this campaign will cover most of the rent for the initial six months and help in transitioning their pop-up talents to managing a physical location.

Further Plans For The Club

With their passion for “entries in the world of cult, genre, arthouse and independent cinema”, Hyperreal also advances in producing five podcasts and publishing zines alongside running a film writing site. The club plans to start with four screenings every week, gradually expanding their reach and influence in the area. As East Austin undergoes further changes, the Hyperreal Film Club predicts a strong shift towards independent and individualistic cinematic arts, promising to keep the spirit alive in their upcoming clubhouse.