Filmmakers make the cut at Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival
The Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival, held Sept. 11-12, showcased aspiring filmmakers from around the nation as they exhibited their work to the community.
The GCFVF was created to open doors for new and emerging artists and to encourage the work of independent filmmakers.
Founding Director Hal Wixon created the GCFVF 17 years ago. Every September the festival transpires. This year’s festival took place in the Greater Bay Area after nearly 10 months of preparation.
“It’s a full-time, non-paying job,” chuckled Wixon.
Wixon and other GCFVF officers and volunteers start working on getting a celebrity guest shortly after Thanksgiving and then dive in head first after New Year’s Day.
This year, approximately 200 films were submitted to the GCFVF. After an initial viewing, 29 films were selected for the final screenings. The official judging process consists of five to six qualified judges whom remain anonymous in order to create fair practices.
Each year the festival gives tribute to an established filmmaker or actor by presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, the award was accepted by actor/producer Lew Temple. Temple is from Houston and has several recognizable roles over the years that include a recurring part on “The Walking Dead,” “The Preacher’s Daughter,” “Lap Dance,” “The Rolling Road,” “The Lone Ranger,” “Hawaii Five-0” and the list goes on.
College students are strongly encouraged to enter their work. Wixon says it doesn’t hurt to see what other movie critics have to say about your work.
“Pick up your cameras, get out there and just film whatever you think is great, and submit your work,” Wixon advised. “Don’t give up, don’t let people beat you down, just keep working at it.”
This festival gives aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to not only get their work out to the public, but to grow their passion for film as well.
One of this year’s screenings was director Chip Hale’s documentary on the Kilgore College Rangerettes. “Sweethearts of the Gridiron” tells the true story of the oldest drill team in the U.S. These young women have grown up with years of dance and passion for the sport of drill teams. Hale explored what it takes to become a Rangerette from start to finish as he filmed the 74th line tryouts, which are held each year in the Texas summers.
“There is a dance-drill team world in Texas that is very active,” Hale said.
Hale wanted to highlight the sport of drill team and all the sweat, tears and desire these young women have for it by capturing the tradition and history of the Rangerettes.
“We stay busy, and at times it gets tough,” said Rangerette Kyley Kornegay, who is from Deer Park, Texas.
The team members spend roughly a combined 15 hours a week in practice and various dance classes and on the field, as well as taking a required 15-hour course load at Kilgore College.
The 17th Annual 2015 Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival took place at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Houston followed by an awards ceremony at Sundace Grill II in League City.
This year’s GCFVF winners are: Best Drama – “Charlie” by Shawn Ryan; Best Documentary – “Sweethearts of the Gridiron” by Chip Hale; Best Standard – “The Kid” by David Scott Heck; Best Feature – “Beta Centauri: The Voyager of Hadar” by Daniel R. Poulson; Best Comedy – “What if My Wife Died in Yoga Class” by Jeffery Williams; Best Screenplay – “The Border” by Normal Fitts; and Best of the Festival – “If I Could Talk” by Shawn Welling.
For more information about the GCFVF and opportunities to volunteer and/or submit work in upcoming festivals, visit http://www.gulfcoastfilmfest.com.
VIDEO: ‘Sweethearts of the Gridiron’ at the Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeR5I8n7x1c?rel=0]
Video shot and created by The Signal reporter Zachery Sang.
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