Event Story

Annual Texas Union Film Festival Showcases Student Filmmaking

By: Sydney Kerr

A significant portion of Austin’s cultural acclaim centers around filmmaking. Through the University of Texas and other schools found within the city, student filmmaking finds its light in this artistic community. The Texas Union Film Festival annually showcases the work of these creatives, sharing each nominee’s film individually before selecting a winner.

The festival took place in person this year for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the 13th year that Showtime, a division of UT Campus Events + Entertainment, hosted the event. Fellow filmmakers and supporters gathered in the Texas Union Theater on Feb. 24 from 7-10 p.m. to enjoy 13 short films, with a student filmmaking panel afterward.

Mauricio Hernandez Serrano, director of the winning short film “A Wooden Toy Dreamed of Paper Boats,” felt exhilarated to share his piece. “It was really cool because while we were making this, either the first shooting period or the second, there was a lot of uncertainty like what is this? Will it work for anyone else?” said Serrano. “Getting to show it again is amazing and getting the recognition even more because it kind of just validates all of that effort.”

The event and panel focused on discussing the challenges and excitements that characterize student filmmaking. Students were able to share and discuss their film beyond the piece, inspiring their peers. The directors also shared their favorite parts about their craft.

Dominique LaVigne won third place for her piece “A Ballet Family.” Through her documentary, LaVigne showcases the challenges of being a black dancer. “It’s really rewarding to be a part of their story as much as they are a part of mine,” LaVigne explained.

The films covered a variety of topics. From conversations surrounding race, gender, sexuality, love, aging and many more, these directors created empowering and impactful narratives. Many of the films focused on the idea of diversity in perspective, whether on screen or through their crew.

After viewing each film, a brief intermission occurred, allowing the audience to discuss and react to the short before starting another. Kaylee Johnson, director of the film “The Bakery,” noted the impact hearing the audience’s reaction made on her. “Because of COVID, this is the first film festival in person that I’ve been able to go to,” Johnson remarked. “Just hearing the audience reaction, whether it was good or it was bad, it was just cool to get live feedback, and it kind of pays tribute to why I did it in the first place and why I made it.”

Film festivals allow students to share their films along with other, and possibly more established, filmmakers. According to Annabelle Pangborn, director of the Northern Film School at Leeds Beckett University, “Film festivals importantly offer a platform for our young filmmakers to present their creative ideas; their singular stories and storytelling; their talent and skill in their making and, not least, their passion to communicate how they feel and think about the world they live in.” These events allow students to expose these vulnerable parts of their talent, network and further their creative abilities.

A common struggle characterizing student filmmaking is a lack of resources. Whether that stems from a lack of money, talent or equipment, film festivals aid new directors in finding sponsors or winning monetary prizes. Serrano won a South by Southwest Film Badge to attend the Austin-based film and music festival, permitting him to watch numerous educational panels and films.

Festival attendees rejoiced that the event was able to take place safely in person. Student filmmakers at UT can hopefully continue to create and share their films with the Austin community as the festival continues for years to come. “Just keep going. Your first film is not going to be great, but eventually, it’ll be something that a lot of people really want to watch,” Johnson advised.