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.
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
A Biloxi, MS native, Kaitlyn has her degree in Business Administration with a focus in Operational Management and has been managing and producing festival Operations and Box Offices for independent film festivals for the last 8 years. Kaitlyn works half the year out of the 9th St. Independent Film Center in San Francisco, which is the home of the Center of Asian American Media, Frameline, and the Jewish Film Institute, and produces all of their respective festivals. The second half of the year is dedicated to Round Top Film Festival and Sundance. She brings a passion for inclusivity, diversity, and equitable spaces to every event she works. Kaitlyn thrives off of creating operationally efficient and proactive environments that are safe and equal for filmmakers, industry members, and local and global communities to come together and collaborate over film, experience, activism, and friendship.
Director Of Operations
Kaitlyn Ryan
Air is a passionate branding and marketing expert with over 14 years of experience in crafting compelling brand stories and strategic marketing campaigns. With honed skills in digital marketing, brand strategy, and creative storytelling, she specializes in helping brands connect with their audiences in meaningful, memorable ways. Her expertise spans paid media, email marketing, content development, and social media strategy—tools she seamlessly weaves together to build digital ecosystems that drive awareness and engagement. At the Round Top Film Festival, she brings her creative and strategic acumen to expand audience reach and cultivate community through powerful digital storytelling and campaign execution.
Director of Marketing & Strategy
Air Adkins
Mickey Duzdevich is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the film festival industry. Before joining Round Top Film Festival, he made significant contributions to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) as their Senior Programmer and Festival Director for over 10 years. Mickey's academic background includes graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a BA in Film and Media Studies. In addition to his accomplishments at SBIFF, Mickey has also held the role of Festival and Industry Outreach Specialist at Chapman University Dodge College, recognized as the number four film school in the nation. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in connecting students with industry opportunities, fostering collaborations, and ensuring that the college remains a vital resource for aspiring filmmakers.
PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR
Mickey Duzdevich
Sydney Reilly graduated from Texas Christian University in 2022. Since graduating, she has spent most of her career in the retail industry and brings a strong retail and merchandising background, with experience in buying, vendor relations, and cross-functional collaboration. She is results-driven and detail-oriented, and a reliable team player who supports educational programming, merchandise coordination, and marketing initiatives with a strategic mindset.
Mission, Education, & Merchandise Coordinator
Sydney Reilly
Creative consultant
Meryl Poster
Bio Coming Soon
Cosimo brings extensive expertise from his background in real estate development, sales, and technology-driven strategy. As a key member of the Round Top Film Festival team, he collaborates closely with the development department. His ability to leverage deep industry connections allows him to cast a wide net in securing fundraising opportunities and intellectual property for new projects, positioning him as a critical asset to the festival’s success.
Founders Circle Coordinator & Event Planner
Cosimo Blodgett
Founders Circle Coordinator & Event Planner
With a rich background as an Air Traffic Controller for over 30 years, Debbie brings a unique blend of precision and leadership skills required to manage complex operations and multiple moving parts- a skill set directly applicable to orchestrating a successful film festival. After retiring from ATC in May of 2014, she joined the Napa Valley Film Festival, where she excelled as the Volunteer Director for six years, helping shape the festival’s community spirit. In 2019, she retired again to focus on her family, enjoying quality time with her twins, both currently studying at UCLA. Now, she brings her expertise to RTFF, where she will oversee and train the seasonal volunteer staff, ensuring smooth coordination and a positive experience for both volunteers and guests.
Christine Hoeffer
Landry Holt is a Texas native who grew up in the neighboring town of La Grange and now lives
in Round Top. She was involved in the arts from a young age, attending local camps that
nurtured her love for visual storytelling, and developed her skills throughout the years before
she left Texas to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a focus in
illustration. A lifelong lover of music, art, and film, Landry is excited to contribute her creativity
and passion to the growth of the Round Top Film Festival.
Development Assistant
Landry Holt
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
Greg Fortique
BUDDY QUAID
Joe Rosenberg
TOM STRUTHERS
ADVISORY
BOARD
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