In Their Town, Ora Duplass, Mark Duplass, and Katie Aselton create a film aimed at uniting different generations.

      “My parents definitely tried to keep me away from the industry for as long as possible,” expresses Ora Duplass, who makes an impressive feature acting debut in Their Town, which premieres this weekend at SXSW.

      The film is penned by her father, Mark Duplass, and directed by her mother, Katie Aselton, who sought to shield their daughter from the continual rejection that many actors experience throughout childhood. However, with Their Town, the couple provided her with one of the most supportive environments to showcase her talents, and she excels.

      The 18-year-old is exceptionally captivating as Abby, whose boyfriend withdraws from co-starring in their high school play. His last-minute substitute is a reserved stagehand, Matt (IT star Chosen Jacobs, who is also remarkable). As Abby and Matt explore their hometown of Bangor, Maine, one night, they uncover unforeseen connections. The film's concluding moments are particularly poignant.

      Aselton and Mark Duplass have collaborated numerous times during their marriage, including in the 2005 mumblecore classic The Puffy Chair, which brothers Mark and Jay Duplass wrote and directed, with Mark and Aselton in the lead roles. Since then, all have participated in various projects, becoming exemplars of independent filmmaking.

      Their Town debuts at SXSW 11 years after Mark Duplass delivered a highly praised speech at the Austin festival, advising indie filmmakers that “the cavalry is not coming” and encouraging them to take charge of their own projects.

      The family’s new film embodies that mentality.

      Working with family is always challenging, and parents and teenagers often struggle to get along. Aselton admits she was anxious about collaborating with her daughter, who was 16 during filming. However, the family engaged in substantial logistical and emotional preparation.

      “There were many discussions with Ora, with my therapist, and late-night talks with Mark, just acknowledging that ‘This is going to be really tough,’” Aselton recalls. “But we had done enough groundwork ahead of time that when we began, everyone was on their best behavior. Everyone understood what needed to be done, and I credit Ora for her incredible emotional intelligence and knowing when to rise to the occasion.”

      She laughs, “And it was only a 12-day shoot, so we really just had to maintain these roles for that short period.”

      Austin serves as a fitting launch point for the film as it draws inspiration partly from the city’s most renowned filmmaker, Richard Linklater. Mark Duplass grew up in New Orleans and recalls traveling 80 miles to Baton Rouge to see Linklater’s Before Sunrise in 1995 when he was around Ora's current age. The film follows two young travelers, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, as they form an unforgettable bond over a single night in Vienna.

      Mark Duplass was particularly struck by “the dignity given to the thoughts of people in their early 20s, along with a sense of humor. It felt as though Linklater wasn’t on a mission to showcase these kids as deep individuals. It felt relaxed, casual, and sweet.”

      The same authenticity is reflected in Abby and Matt’s spontaneous dynamic in Their Town. Ora Duplass found the emotional depth of scenes that initially appeared straightforward to be surprising.

      “When acting out the scenes, you encounter moments that evoke feelings you didn’t expect. Performing allows you to connect with your real life in ways I didn’t anticipate. It facilitated the emotional expression and also contributed to personal growth,” she shares.

      Mark Duplass wrote the script with his daughter in mind, drawing from her experiences and heartbreaks. Meanwhile, Aselton discerned when to challenge her and when to ease off, leveraging a unique understanding that comes from lifelong familiarity.

      By keeping Abby and Matt in motion throughout much of the film, it liberates them from the compulsive doomscrolling that contributes to anxiety and depression in today’s youth. However, the realities of contemporary life linger in the backdrop, infused with nostalgia for the ‘90s, the era when Duplass and Aselton matured.

      “I believe it’s crucial to depict that these kids are not oblivious,” Ora Duplass emphasizes. “They are aware of the world around them, and it impacts them.”

      As a child growing up with her parents and sister, Molly, Ora always aspired to star in a Disney production. But her parents encouraged her to relish her childhood.

      “I was very eager,” she admits. “And when you’re five years old, watching a show and thinking, ‘I want to be an actor,’ it’s reasonable for them to say, ‘Go play.’”

      However, last summer, she was cast in a project that’s as different as possible from a DIY indie: She will lead in the upcoming series Coven Academy, set to debut on the Disney Channel and Disney+.

      “The truth is, Ora declared, ‘I’m going to be on a Disney show,’” Aselton chuckles. “And the reality is,