Unveiling the Premiere Round Top Film Festival: A Cinematic Celebration in the Charming Texas Town

The picturesque town of Round Top, Texas, known for its quaint charm and its bi-annual Round Top Antiques & Design Show, prepares to host the inaugural Round Top Film Festival (RTFF) from November 7 to 10, 2024. Founded by the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Shanna and Skylar Schanen, this festival is a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community enrichment.

Inspired by their upbringing visiting Round Top and its vibrant atmosphere, Skylar and her mother, Shanna, saw an opportunity to create something special for the community. “We thought, ‘What can we do because we love this town so much?’ and we came up with the idea to do a film festival,” Skylar explains.

A mother-daughter’s vision to offer a platform for emerging talent

“Some films never see past the final edit; film festivals offer a vital platform for artists to create and exhibit their work, potentially launching careers in an industry hungry for fresh voices,” says Skylar. “We’re excited to welcome the film community to the best little town in Texas and eager to cultivate opportunities for networking, support, and celebrating the beauty of storytelling.”

The festival will take place at various venues throughout Round Top, with the centerpiece venue being Round Top Festival Institute’s 210-acre campus, Festival Hill, a renowned cultural institution founded by concert pianist James Dick. Festival Hill will host screenings, panels, workshops, and special events, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with audiences.

Skylar emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment for filmmakers and attendees alike. “I hope for filmmakers they come back refreshed from the industry a little bit, getting to talk to other filmmakers in a chiller environment,” she says. “Films are supposed to be fun and celebrated and not always be super intense all the time.”

A hub for creativity, film, and community engagement

Mickey Duzdevich, the Programming Director at Round Top Film Festival, brings over 15 years of experience from his previous role as Senior Programmer/Festival Director at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). “I’m excited to curate the inaugural Round Top Film Festival lineup, promising a diverse array of captivating films, carefully selected to delight audiences in our one-of-a-kind location,” said Duzdevich, who played a pivotal role in enhancing SBIFF’s reputation as a premier event.

With over 40 films set to screen across four days, the program will be selectively curated to reflect the laid-back atmosphere and fun-loving attitude of Round Top. Categories will include Narrative and Documentary Features, Short Films, Music Videos, and Texas throwbacks.

Visit their website for further details, including film submissions and pass purchases.