EDUCATION PROGRAM
Future Filmmakers of Texas
Our mission is to highlight emerging independent cinematic voices while empowering rural youth through film education and mentorship. Our heart and passion lie in supporting the future filmmakers of Texas. As our festival grows, we aim to expand opportunities for local students, including our ongoing initiatives: the Student Movie Screening on the first day of the festival, the Student Screenwriting Workshop series, and our upcoming Making the Short: Script to Screen summer camp.
OUR MISSIOn
GEt involved
Support the next generation of storytellers. By making a donation to the Round Top Film Festival Education Program, you can help sponsor a student’s participation in our hands on filmmaking and storytelling initiatives. Your support gives rural Texas youth access to creative mentorship, real world filmmaking experiences, and the opportunity to see their stories come to life. Every contribution helps open the door for a young filmmaker to learn, create, and be inspired.
Jackson Elliott, a junior at La Grange High School and participant in last year and this year’s screenwriting workshop exemplifies the impact of these programs. Jackson has created a documentary focusing on Lorenza Crosby, a longtime educator who navigated racial challenges while mentoring many young men in Fayette County. Jackson’s film has advanced to the state semifinals of the UIL film competition. This is a huge achievement considering that prior to last year, La Grange had no film programs. With limited access to equipment or teachers, Jackson has largely taught himself, leveraging Round Top community resources and attending workshops and festivals in Austin. His achievements highlight how community support, mentorship, and access to programs like ours can empower students to succeed and tell important stories.
youtube.com/@JElliottLG
student impact
REAL LIFE
Fayette County Record
To kick off our festival this past November, we hosted our first student screening for local schools. We welcomed 185 students to come and watch A Christmas in New Hope. After the screening, students had the opportunity to hear directly from the film’s director, Julia Barnett, and producer, Mindy Raymond, and to ask questions and learn about careers in the film industry. Experiences like this give students rare access to working filmmakers and help spark interest in storytelling and creative careers.
KICKS OFF OUR FESTIVAL EACH YEAR
Student Screening
Screenwriting Workshop
Our Annual Student Screenwriting Workshop is a free, three-session program in which students meet monthly with professional screenwriters to develop their original stories. During the final session, students will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to award-winning director and producer Kenny Ortega and actor Greg Tarzan Davis, gaining invaluable feedback from industry professionals.
1 workshop with three sessions
This June 8th through June 14th, we will host our first-ever summer filmmaking camp, Making the Short: Script to Screen. This weeklong immersive experience introduces students to the filmmaking process, from script development to a completed short film that will premiere on the big screen. Led by native Texan Nell Teare, an award-winning director, writer, producer, and actress, and her colleagues in the industry. The camp is designed for students of all experience levels and provides hands-on experience in writing, directing, cinematography, sound, producing, and editing, while building creative confidence and collaboration skills.
The camp will run daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with days one through five at the Red Antler, day six at Fayetteville High School for editing, and the red carpet premiere on day seven being held at Zapp Hall. The market cost for a camp of this caliber is $3,000 per student. To make the program accessible, students pay a one-time $500 fee, and the remaining tuition is covered by sponsorships.
JUNE 8-14th in Round TOp, TExas
Summer Camp
+Produced by Award Winning Director, Producer, Writer, Actress Nell Teare
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