Hollywood Comes to Round Top
-
Founders of the new Round Top Film Festival, Shanna Schanen, left, a La Grange native and her daughter Skylar Schanen, right, who grew up in Round Top and is now an actor, writer and director. Photo by Alice Loayza -
Some 40 films are set to screen this fall as part of the Round Top Film festival, many of them showing in the concert hall at Festival Hill. -
Mickey Duzdevich programming director for the festival previously worked for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) as their Senior Programmer/Festival Director for over 10 years.
The inaugural Round Top Film Festival (RTFF) is now accepting film submissions for the 2024 festival, taking place November 7-10, in Round Top.
The event is founded by Shanna Schanen and Skylar Schanen, a dynamic motherdaughter duo, who both have deep connections to Fayette County.
“Round Top is such a special place ... and film is such a big part of our family,” Shanna said of the ideas to bring a film festival to this area.
The centerpiece venue of the festival will be held at Round Top Festival Institute’s 210 acre campus, Festival Hill. Founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick, the Concert Hall has been host to notable performances and educators from around the globe. Festival Hill takes the spotlight as the Festival’s premier screening venue, doubling as the host of the Opening Night party, and various ‘intermissions’ where passholders can enjoy culinary delights between films.
Shanna said when she first approached Festival Hill founder James Dick about the idea, “he was so excited. He said this has always been a dream of mine.”
While most of the festival’s 40 films will be shown in the Festival Hill concert hall, the Schanens said that they plan to have other venues around tow to focus on the music video, podcasting, panels and industry professional aspects of the festival.
“We really want to incorporate the whole town,” Shanna said.
Skylar said that when she has brought movie industry friends to Round Top “nobody wanted to leave” and she wants to keep exposing more movie folks to the town she loves.
That fact that they are bringing a movie festival to a town that doesn’t have a movie theater is not lost on these two, but they hope to get involved with local schools to create an educational component to the festival as well.
According to a press release about the festival the “RTFF team is dedicated to bringing the excitement of the film industry to the com-munity. Through film screenings, panels, workshops and events, the festival aims to educate audiences and inspire the next generation of filmmakers, by celebrating the diverse avenues within the art of filmmaking and the beauty of Round Top.”
“Launching the film festival here in Round Top isn’t just about showcasing cinema; it’s about honoring roots and nurturing connections,” explains Shanna. “Growing up in La Grange, I’ve always felt deeply connected to this community, and after spending the last 17 years with a home here in Round Top, the ties run even deeper.”
For years, the Schanen family has championed independent filmmaking, helping fund projects in need of support to overcome obstacles on their path to completion.
As a filmmaker herself, Skylar’s formative years spent in this rural Texas town also ignited a creative spark that led to her own journey in filmmaking. Despite having won multiple awards in both writing and directing, she understands firsthand the challenges that first-time and independent filmmakers face getting their work in front of audiences.
“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.”
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. Featuring a diverse selection of features and short films, each screening will offer audiences an opportunity to immerse themselves in captivating storytelling and cinematic artistry, along with Q&A’s with members of the film teams. Programming Director Mickey Duzdevich shares “I’m excited to curate the inaugural Round Top Film Festival lineup, promising a diverse array of captivating films, carefully selected to delight audiences. I eagerly anticipate unveiling this unforgettable cinematic experience in our one-of-akind location.”
Film categories will include Narrative and Documentary Features, as well as Short Films, and special highlights on Music Videos and Texas throwbacks, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all attendees.
Submissions are open and Early Bird Passes are now on sale for the 2024 Festival.
For more info go to:
www.roundtopfilmfest.org – Jeff Wick contributed to this story