A message

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.

Rob Schanen

Skylar Schanen’s filmmaking journey began at 17 when her screenplay SPACE CASE caught the attention of filmmaker Zack Scott. The film went on to achieve significant success on the festival circuit, setting the stage for her burgeoning career. She honed her craft at Chapman University’s renowned Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where she also acted in THE SECRET OF SINCHANEE and directed two short films, ANGEL and DEEP DOWN. In 2024, Skylar co-founded the Round Top Film Festival with her mother, Shanna Schanen, further solidifying her presence in the industry. She continues to develop the festival while actively writing new screenplays, pushing the boundaries of her creative vision.

Skylar Schanen

Shanna Schanen, originally from La Grange, Texas, and deeply tied to Round Top, has a diverse background that enriches her commitment to community engagement and providing platforms for the arts to flourish. Shanna dedicated herself to her family while channeling her energy into numerous fundraising events. Her passion for philanthropy led her to serve as President of the Board at Uptown Dance and holding leadership roles in the National Charity League, where she spearheaded a multitude of charitable galas, educational events, and kid clubs. In 2024, Shanna co-founded the Round Top Film Festival alongside her daughter, Skylar Schanen, melding her love for film with her dedication to fostering artistic expression and community enrichment.

Shanna Schanen

Karen brings a wealth of experience from which to draw on depending on which hat she is wearing. With 13 years of technology marketing for companies including AT&T, Hewlett Packard & Questia, along with years of consulting in the marketing and project management arenas, she can juggle a variety of tasks. She earned both her BBA in Marketing and Management, as well as her MBA with an emphasis in Brand Management from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Though not born to it, she has called Texas her home for 30 years and currently lives in Austin. In addition to her professional life, Karen has an extensive volunteer resume serving on many boards including The Museum of Fine Arts Houston. In addition, she ran the Southside summer day camp for three years, worked as a docent at the MFAH and served on her community PTO in both a fundraising and project management capacity. Karen has a love and appreciation for the film world and in fact, grew up in a movie industry family.

Karen Willis

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.

Mickey Duzdevich

Blair Hunt, a versatile professional in film industry and live event production, holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Communications & Advertising from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Starting her career in event marketing in Boston, she soon discovered her passion for live event production and creative planning. Moving to California in 2010, she immersed herself in wine education in Napa Valley, expanding into cultural festivals. Over the past decade, Blair has amassed extensive experience in large-scale event management, contributing notably to festivals like Napa Valley Film Festival, Sonoma Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival. Her roles have included producing events, securing talent, and serving in directorial capacities. She spent a decade as VIP experience manager for Bottlerock music festival and most recently served as VIP director for Beach Road Weekend on Martha's Vineyard.

Blair Hunt

Janyce Marcus is a dedicated advocate for community engagement and nonprofit development. A graduate of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas with a degree in Marketing, Janyce began her career in the technology sector, working with industry giants Apple Computer and Dell Technologies. Transitioning from technology, she channeled her efforts into impactful volunteer work, supporting children's organizations, schools, and child victims of sex trafficking. In these roles, she excelled in fundraising, event management, and community outreach. Born and raised in Austin, Janyce now plays a key role in managing grants and working directly with members of the Founders Circle, supporting the mission and long-term sustainability of the Round Top Film Festival through donor engagement, strategic planning, and development initiatives.

Janyce Marcus

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 6 years. Kaitlyn works primarily 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. 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.

Michele Tharp

Michele is a seasoned marketing strategist with over two decades of experience in film and entertainment marketing. She has served as Director of Marketing at the California Film Institute, which operates the Smith Rafael Film Center, produces the prestigious internationally renowned Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF) and annual DocLands Documentary Film Festival, along with the year-round CAFILM youth education program. Michele also held the position of Head of Marketing at VuHaus Group, a national network of music Public Media organizations, creating the live performance video hub, NPR Music Live Sessions. Ignited by her deep passion for storytelling and keen insights, Michele's talent for envisioning effective marketing strategies continues to shape and inspire the narrative of the industry.

Kaitlyn Ryan

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.

Debbie Aldine Young

Aileen is an experienced festival professional with a deep-rooted passion for the film industry. She began her journey in the film festival sector in 2016, starting with the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Since then, she's expanded her expertise across several notable festivals, including Seattle International Film Festival, Mill Valley Film Festival, Sonoma International Film Festival, and Frameline Film Festival. Specializing in Guest Services, Aileen has successfully coordinated the complex logistics of travel, lodging, and itineraries for festivals hosting between 50 to 250 guests. Her attention to detail and dedication to hospitality ensures that filmmakers and guests have a seamless and enjoyable experience, allowing them to focus on the creative showcase of their work.

AILEEN FOWLER