It was announced by the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival 2009 that Hector Galan’s latest documentary, “The Big Squeeze”, produced for Texas Folklife, which documents the non-profit’s annual accordion contest for young players, will be premiered at the festival at 7:00 PM, Wednesday March 18th, in the Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas.

The 26-minute film follows the 2007 and 2008 contestants and their families as they prepare for the contest, interviews seasoned performers and judges, and concludes with footage of the contest held at Texas Folklife’s Accordion Kings & Queens concert in Houston.

Hector Galan is an award-winning filmmaker with over thirty years of experience. He has produced and directed eleven films for the PBS series Frontline, two films for The American Experience, and many critically acclaimed and award-winning independent films including A Migrant’s Masterpiece: The Life and Legacy of Patrick Flores (2008), Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads (2006), Accordion Dreams (2001) and Songs of the Homeland (1995).

Galan’s films and documentary series have won numerous awards such as Imagen, Cine Golden Eagle, Telly, the Golden Apple, and SXSW Best Documentary and Emmy nominations. Galán has received honors including the Cultural Arts Award by the Hispanic Caucus of the American Association of Higher Education, the Armando Marroquin Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tejano Roots Museum, and in 1997 and was named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in America by Hispanic Magazine. His independent film company, Galan Inc., is based in Austin.

The film is slated to appear on PBS after its debut at the festival in March. Details will be announced soon.

The SXSW Film Conference and Festival explores all aspects of the art and business of independent filmmaking hosting a five-day adventure in the latest filmmaking trends and new technology, featuring distinguished speakers and mentors. The internationally-acclaimed, nine-day Festival boasts some of the most wideranging programming of any US event of its kind, from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies, with a special focus on emerging talents.

For more information contact (512) 441-9255 or info@texasfolklife.org or visit www.texasfolklife.org.