PREVIEW: ‘Home Free’ Brings Laughter and Social Impact while Benefiting Local Homeless Initiatives
HOME FREE HAS BEEN MAKING WAVES WITH ITS HEARTFELT HUMOR AND BOLD MESSAGE. Based on the true story of two University of Texas students who invited an unhoused professor to live on their porch in the 90s, Home Free cleverly blends comedy and compassion, taking viewers on a journey of unexpected friendships and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of University of Texas campus life, the film brings laughter and humanity to one of the most pressing social issues in Austin and across the nation.
Based on a true story, Home Free follows a group of college sophomores who befriend an unhoused former philosophy professor, offering him a place to stay on their porch. What begins as an impulsive act of generosity turns into an unexpected journey of personal growth, testing societal norms and preconceptions about homelessness. Directed by Aaron Brown and co-created with writer/producer Lenny Barszap, the film blends Dazed & Confused nostalgia with Superbad-style comedy, all while challenging audiences to rethink homelessness in a more human light. According to Clerks director Kevin Smith, it's "the most important comedy you'll see this year."
Adding to the film's 90s throwback vibes is a soundtrack featuring legendary acts such as members of the Beastie Boys, Dinosaur Jr., Jurassic 5, and Austin’s own Ghostland Observatory and White Denim. The Home Free soundtrack, produced by Grammy Award-winning musician Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas, will be released in January 2025, further enhancing the film's mix of nostalgia and impact.
The creators of Home Free aren’t stopping with just a film—they’ve also founded the Been There movement, which has raised millions of dollars for TOOF through their Been There music festivals. Coming up on November 2, 2024, the third edition of the festival, Been There 3, will take place at Radio East in Austin. With a stacked lineup featuring Galactic, Jurassic 5, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and Riders Against the Storm, Been There 3 is more than just a concert—it’s a call to action. Proceeds from the event will support the building of tiny homes and provide essential services to Austin’s unhoused community through the Esperanza Community.
The Been There festivals have already had a tremendous impact, funding over 100 tiny homes in Austin. This year’s event aims to raise even more money to continue the mission of TOOF and help combat homelessness in a city that has been grappling with this issue for years.
Through its unique mix of comedy, music, and activism, Home Free is proving that art can inspire meaningful social change. In a time when the homelessness crisis can often feel overwhelming, Home Free offers a much-needed reminder that empathy, laughter, and action can go hand in hand.
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