Fantastic First Image From Emily Hagins' SXSW Selected GROW UP, TONY PHILLIPS

Austin based filmmaker Emily Hagins occupies a somewhat unique space in the American indie film scene. Completing her first film - Pathogen - when she was only twelve years old, Hagins was embraced by the Austin based blogging community as a young phenom. She didn't have much in the way of resources and, sure, there were edges that needed smoothing out but people recognized a spark there. Seven years and four films later it is abundantly clear that Hagins is no mere novelty act.

Her latest effort - Grow Up, Tony Phillips - maintains its connections to the local scene (star Tony Vespe is brother to Aint It Cool writer Eric Vespe) while also adding established actors such as AJ Bowen and will soon take its inaugural bow at the SXSW Film Festival.

Who doesn't love Halloween? All of Tony Phillips' (Tony Vespe) high school friends, apparently. It's senior year and they've now decided that they're too cool for Halloween. When his older cousin (AJ Bowen) returns home right before the holiday, Tony starts to wonder if he really is the dork everyone thinks he is, or if he's just ahead of the curve.

Above you see the first image released from the film, hopefully a trailer will not be far behind.