Founded by Shanna Schanen and Skylar Schanen, a dynamic mother-daughter duo, the Round Top Film Festival embodies the spirit of creativity, education, and community enrichment. Our roots run deep in Round Top, Texas, where we've witnessed its evolution from a quiet retreat to a vibrant hub. We're proud to contribute to its cultural growth while celebrating and preserving its unique charm.
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Our passionate, women-led team is dedicated to bringing the excitement of the film industry to our community. Through film screenings, workshops, and events, we aim to educate and inspire the next generation of filmmakers, celebrating the diverse avenues within the art of filmmaking and the beauty of Round Top, Texas. 

THE FACES OF RTFF

SHANNA SCHANEN  + SKYLAR SCHANEN

SHANNA SCHANEN  + SKYLAR SCHANEN

MEET THE TEAM behind RTFF

CO - FOUNDERS

To empower rural youth through film education, enrich the local community, and celebrate the art of independent filmmaking in Round Top, Texas, and surrounding areas.

Round Top Film Festival champions the art of storytelling by highlighting emerging independent cinematic voices while empowering rural youth through film education and mentorship. The festival unites the community through shared film experience, fostering cultural enrichment and economic growth in Round Top, Texas, and surrounding areas.



from our founders

A message

VISION

MISSION

Shanna Schanen is the co-founder of the Round Top Film Festival. Raised in La Grange with deep Texas roots, she has always been drawn to places where creativity and connection meet. A University of Houston psychology graduate, her early career included work with Symphony Magazine and service as President of the Uptown Ballet Studio board, giving her a front-row view of how the arts build community. Yet the most meaningful role in her life has been raising her daughter, Skylar; she describes motherhood as her greatest joy and most rewarding work. When Skylar discovered a love for film, Shanna saw how movies could spark curiosity and confidence and how few accessible platforms existed for emerging voices outside traditional gatekeeping. With no formal industry roadmap, she built her own. In 2024, she and Skylar co-founded RTFF, creating a festival grounded in community, creativity, and hospitality that continues to welcome and connect filmmakers and audiences


CO-FOunder & Festival executive Producer

Shanna Schanen

Rob is a proud native Texan and has lived his entire life in Texas. He met the love of his life, Shanna, and they married in 1995. In 2000, Rob and Shanna welcomed their daughter, Skylar, into the world. Skylar led them into the world of dance, singing, and acting. Rob enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family, as well as entertaining friends at their farm in Round Top. He is very proud of Shanna and Skylar for their hard work in bringing RTFF to Round Top and is excited about what the festival will bring to the community and surrounding areas.


Development director

Rob Schanen

Skylar Schanen is an emerging filmmaker and producer whose career began at 17, when her original screenplay Space Case caught the attention of filmmaker Zack Scott and went on to find success on the festival circuit. That early recognition marked the start of a creative path rooted in initiative and bold storytelling. She studied at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, developing a multidisciplinary skill set as a writer, director, producer, and costume designer. While at Chapman, she acted in The Secret of Sinchanee and directed the short films Angel and Deep Down, further defining her creative voice. In 2024, Skylar co-founded the Round Top Film Festival with her mother, Shanna Schanen, and plays an active role in its growth. She also teaches screenwriting workshops for children in neighboring communities, inspiring the next generation of storytellers while continuing to write new, character-driven work.

co-Founder & Festival Executive creative producer

Skylar Schanen

thomas sadoski, Actor, "adult children"

The festival is so well put together. It’s cool to see it out here, if I would have had this growing up, things would have been real different, I think, in a beautiful way, so I’m happy to be a part of this.

"If I would have had this growing up, thing would have been real different."

Kerry barden, director + producer

It’s just fantastic. I think especially for independents, it’s great, because we get an audience for independent films that may not be there in the urban areas.

"we get an audience for independent films that may not be there in the urban areas."

Ellen mirojnick, costume designer

I knew it was only the second year and the very beginning of something, that was very special. I think it is very special to be part of a festival that is beginning its walk, its journey.

" I knew it was only the second year and the very beginning of something, that was very special."

vic armstrong, film director + stunt coordinator

I’m so impressed. It’s fabulous. And, I was just saying, I think it's the first festival that will openly celebrate that some (stunt) people are actually going to be eligible for Oscars. So, it's a first first all the way around. It’s wonderful.

"I’m so impressed.
it’s fabulous."

david gropman, production designer + art director

It’s nice being behind the scenes to be noticed and appreciated so it’s a great great honor, and great honor to get it here, this wonderful venue, in this wonderful town.

"here, this wonderful venue, in this wonderful town."

ayden mayeri, actress + rising star honoree

It’s so nice, it’s such an honor that anyone ever watches your work or cares about what you do. They have been so kind & generous with us to bring us out here and show us a good time so I just feel very honored and special.

"I just feel very honored
and special."

WILL BRITTAIN, Actor, "Everybody wants some!!"

I think this is the new Telluride of the South, happening right now.

“I think this is the new Telluride of the South, happening right now.”

VIRGINIA MADSEN, ACTRESS, "SHEEPDOg"

 We are all gonna be here next year, right?!
This place is almost like it’s not even real. It’s so beautiful.

 “We are all gonna be
here next year, right?!"

LILLI KAY,  Actress + Rising Star Honoree

I'm really excited. I feel like it's a special gift to be in a film space that is created by women. This is really amazing.

"I feel like it's a special gift to be in
 a film space that is created by women."

Marie botha,  ACTRESS  + Rising Star Honoree

It’s like the coolest place. I didn’t know any place like this existed. I mean it’s a dream, really. For me, coming from South Africa, being here, like at the core of country, it’s such a dream.

"I didn’t know any place like this existed.
 I mean it’s a dream, really."

VONDIE CURTIS-HALL, actor  "Sheepdog"

I got to sit on a longhorn today...I love this one, I love the vibe of it. I’ve been to Sundance, I’ve been to Cannes, I’ve been to Toronto...I feel this is really like a hometown, cozy, everybody-knows-everybody festival. It’s a completely different vibe, I really love it.

"It’s a completely different vibe,
 I really love it.”

DEEP WATER PRODUCTIONS

What a fantastic time at Round Top Film Festival. Everything was extremely well organized with people who are serious about the industry. For a first year festival, it brought in top talent from around the country. I will definitely be back!


"What a fantastic time at Round Top Film Festival."

CHRISTIAN WALLACE, AWard winning writer,  "Landman"

I’m very excited about what our cast and crew have done with Landman. And, to get to share it at this festival, it’s a huge honor.

"to get to share it at this festival,
it’s a huge honor."

matt dallas, actor, "Sheepdog"

The crowd has been amazing. Round Top is... there’s nothing like it, the excitement, the buzz, the synergy. To be here in Round Top, tonight, screening the film in Round Top, is really a dream come true.

"Round Top is... there’s nothing like it, the excitement, the buzz, the synergy."

sasha lane, actress + rising star honoree

It’s great to have a first, so this is the first of Round Top Film Festival, and I think that’s something really unique. It’ll be cool to think back in like 10 years, and think ‘oh, we were at the first one’ and see how far it’s come and grown.

"It’ll be cool to think back in like 10 years, and think ‘oh, we were at the first one.’"

James Portolese, producer + juror

The Round Top Film Festival is on its way to being a premiere festival in the country and I can't wait to come back next year! I fell in love with the town, the people and the especially the festival and will gladly sing its praises to every filmmaker I know.

"The Round Top Film Festival is on its way to being a premiere festival in the country."

SHANNA SCHANEN

SKYLAR SCHANEN

Susan Ashcroft

SHONNERY PETTIT

  Nancy Worthington-Broyles
 
Rob Schanen

Tanya Ruby

BRIAN BECKER

Tracey marshall

Vic Armstrong

Marc klein


BOARD of
DIRECTORS

William Broyles Jr.

Gerry Byrne

RJ CASEY

Camille Chambers

BUDDY QUAID

Joe Rosenberg

TOM STRUTHERS

ADVISORY
BOARD

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