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

      "My parents definitely attempted to keep me away from the industry for as long as possible," shares Ora Duplass, who makes a remarkable 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 frequent rejection that actors often encounter throughout her upbringing. However, with Their Town, the couple provided her with an incredibly supportive project that allowed her to thrive, and she truly does.

      The 18-year-old delivers an impressive performance as Abby, whose boyfriend backs out of co-starring with her in their high school play. He is replaced at the last minute by a quiet stagehand, Matt (IT star Chosen Jacobs, who is also excellent). As Abby and Matt explore their hometown of Bangor, Maine, at night, they uncover unexpected connections. The film’s concluding moments are particularly moving.

      Aselton and Mark Duplass have collaborated many times during their marriage, including in the 2005 mumblecore classic The Puffy Chair, which was directed and written by brothers Mark and Jay Duplass, featuring Mark and Aselton in leading roles. Since then, all of them have participated in various projects, both large and small, becoming exemplars of independent filmmaking.

      Their Town debuts at SXSW 11 years after Mark Duplass delivered a widely praised speech at the Austin festival encouraging indie filmmakers with the insight that "the cavalry is not coming," urging them to take charge of their projects.

      The family's new film exemplifies this philosophy.

      Katie Aselton acknowledges that collaborating with family can be challenging, as parents and teenagers often struggle to get along. She admits to feeling anxious about working with her daughter, who was 16 during filming. Nevertheless, the family engaged in significant logistical and emotional preparation.

      "There were many discussions with Ora, my therapist, and Mark late at night just acknowledging, ‘This is going to be really difficult,'" Aselton explains. "But we prepared sufficiently in advance that when the time came, everyone behaved well. Everyone understood their roles, and I have to credit Ora for her incredible emotional intelligence and ability to rise to the occasion when needed."

      She adds, laughing, "And it was only a 12-day shoot, so we really just had to maintain these personas for that brief period."

      Austin serves as a fitting launch location for the film, as it was partly inspired by the city’s renowned filmmaker, Richard Linklater. Mark Duplass recalls driving 80 miles to Baton Rouge to see Linklater’s Before Sunrise in 1995, when he was roughly the same age as Ora is now. The film portrays two young travelers, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, who form a memorable bond over a single night in Vienna.

      Mark Duplass reflects on being impressed by "the dignity attributed to the thoughts of young people in their early 20s, infused with humor as well. It didn't seem like Linklater was trying to prove that these kids were profound. It was free, casual, and endearing."

      The same can be said of the genuine dynamic between Abby and Mike in Their Town. Ora Duplass was moved by the emotional depth of scenes that appeared straightforward in the script.

      "There are moments in the script that surprise you with the emotions that surface when you actually perform them. Through acting, you connect to your own experiences in ways you might not expect. It truly helped me convey the emotions, as well as personal growth," she notes.

      Mark Duplass crafted the script with his daughter in mind, incorporating elements from her friendships and disappointments. Aselton, on the other hand, knew when to demand more and when to give her space, drawing on an intimacy that only comes from a lifelong bond.

      By keeping Abby and Mike active throughout much of the film, it liberates them from the pervasive doomscrolling that contributes to anxiety and depression among today's youth. However, the realities of contemporary life remain present, coupled with a nostalgia for the '90s, the era in which Duplass and Aselton grew up.

      "I think it's essential to illustrate that these kids are not oblivious," Ora Duplass asserts. "They are aware of what’s happening in the world, and it impacts them."

      While growing up with her parents and sister, Molly, Ora always dreamed of starring in a Disney show. Yet, her parents encouraged her to savor childhood.

      "I was very eager," she recalls. "At five years old, when you’re watching a show and longing to be an actor, it was reasonable for them to say, ‘Go play.’"

      However, last summer, she landed a role in a project that's quite different from a DIY indie: She will star in the upcoming series Coven Academy, set to air on the Disney Channel and Disney+.

      "The reality is, Ora declared, 'I'm going to be on a Disney show,'" Asel