Hill Country Film Festival. April 28-30, 2011

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a film festival?

It’s a cultural and social gathering with an emphasis on screening films. Typically, a film festival consists of screenings, educational programs and social gatherings that are a great interactive opportunity to see new, often unknown films, while meeting filmmakers and film fans. Festivals are run all over the world. Some are even film specific, playing a certain type of film. An example would be a horror film festival, documentary film festival or an animation film festival. Others have broader regulations and play a wide variety of films ranging from shorts to features, comedies to dramas, and docs to cartoons.

Why create a film festival?

Film festivals are created for various reasons. The reason for starting the Hill Country Film Festival was simple: the love of going to film festivals. Having been to a wide variety of them, we saw a wonderful opportunity to host our own in Fredericksburg. Three things sold the idea for us:

  1. The town is a fantastic place to showcase films. It really does sell itself. Who wouldn’t want to come to Fredericksburg for some fun and films?
  2. The Stagecoach Theater is a state-of-the-art movie house that holds four auditoriums, all with digital projection and 3D capabilities. The films look fantastic on the big screen.
  3. Our festival team members work in the industry and know what it takes to create a great film festival. Working as actors, writers, producers, directors and editors has helped us select the very best of the films submitted. We’re committed to providing those filmmakers with a successful and enjoyable screening of their film, along with ample amount of fun.

Why attend a film festival?

Unlike just going to a regular movie, you’ll be able to see films that are truly unique while getting to interact with the filmmakers of tomorrow. How often do you have the opportunity to talk to a director about his process, meet a leading actress of the short you just watched, get to talk about a film with actual filmmakers? And since film festivals are more than just film screenings, you’ll be able to attend parties and sit in on panel discussions with industry professionals. It’s an interactive event that will not only be entertaining, but also provoke discussion and spark further interest in independent film.

What is independent film?

Independent films are typically made outside of the Hollywood studio system. Which means they are privately financed projects that tend to be on a smaller budget scale. What makes indie films amazing is the lengths filmmakers go to in order to bring these powerful, story-driven movies to life. The amount of personal passion that goes into such films is incredible. A film festivals allows such films to gain exposure, find distribution and to promote the talent that is associated with the project. Independent filmmaking is the purest form of filmmaking today.

What kind of films screen at the Hill Country Film Festival?

Great ones, of course. The Hill Country Film Festival screens a variety of films. Last year we screened:

  • Short films
  • Feature length films
  • Documentaries
  • Music Videos
  • Animated films
  • Dramas
  • Comedies
  • Thrillers/Horror
  • Art films
  • Musicals

When is the 2011 Hill County Film Festival?

The 2011 Hill Country Film Festival runs from Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30, 2011. The tentative schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, April 28, 2011
Filmmaker’s Welcome | 4 pm | Hampton Inn & Suites
Opening Night Program | 6:30 pm | Stagecoach Theater
Opening Night Social | 9 pm | TBA

Friday, April 29, 2011
Filmmaker’s Breakfast Panel | 9 am | Hampton Inn & Suites
5 Programs (short and feature films) | 11 am – 9 pm | Stagecoach Theater
Blue Moon Filmmaker’s Lounge | 4 pm - 6 pm | Hampton Inn & Suites
An Evening in Fredericksburg | 9 pm | TBA

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Filmmaker’s Breakfast Panel | 9 am | Hampton Inn & Suites
5 Programs (short and feature films) | 11 am – 9 pm | Stagecoach Theater
Texas Film Round-up | 11am – 7pm | Stagecoach Theater
Blue Moon Filmmaker’s Lounge | 4 pm - 6 pm | Hampton Inn & Suites
Closing Night Party and Awards | 9 pm | Steve W. Shepherd Theater - Fredericksburg Theater Company

How do I attend the festival? Where do I purchase tickets?

There are three ticketing options:

All-Access Badge $100 - Entitles 1 guest to attend all festival screenings, the Filmmaker’s Welcome Party, the Filmmaker’s Breakfast Panels, the Filmmaker’s Lounge and the Closing Night Party & Awards. Tickets will be available for purchase online and will be available at the theater during the festival (cash only).

Day Pass (Friday Only or Saturday Only) $40 - Entitles 1 guest to all screening programs on the designated day. Day Passes will be available for purchase online January 2011 and will be on sale at the theater during the festival (cash only).

Individual Tickets $10 - Entitles 1 guest to one individual screening block. Individual Tickets will be available for purchase via the website starting January 2011 and will be on sale during the festival at the theater, cash only.

To purchase tickets online, click here

How do I receive my badge?

After you purchase your badge online, simply pick up your badge at the Filmmakers Lounge on Thursday , April 28 in the afternoon or at the Stagecoach Theater Thursday evening before the opening night screening. If you arrive on Friday or Saturday, just arrive at the theater before the screenings start and we’ll have all of your information and a badge ready for you.

Will there be events or parties?

Yes! Each evening, HCFF will designate a location in town (a restaurant or bar) where moviegoers, filmmakers and guests can mingle, network and relax. Complimentary drinks will be available for guests who have a Filmmakers Badge or an All-Access Badge. Discussion panels will be held Friday and Saturday morning with filmmakers or industry professionals discussing independent filmmaking. Panels are open to Filmmakers and All-Access Badge holders. Breakfast will be provided each morning.

Will there be a filmmaker’s lounge?

Yes. The filmmaker’s lounge will be a place where Filmmakers and All-Access Badge holders can unwind, grab a snack and a drink, as well as network and promote their film.

What are Q&A and Panel Discussions?

Q&A (Question & Answer) sessions take place after the film block has ended. At that point, the director and/or any of the film’s creatives come to the front of the theater and will answer audience questions and talk about the process of making their film. This is always an informative and entertaining way to gain insight into the movie you just watched.

Panel Discussions are industry-themed conversations that are moderated by one of the festival’s team members. Invited guests will give insight on a number of topics. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions after the panel has concluded their discussion. This can be a very educational discussion that allows people to talk more about film and solutions to the industry’s problems.

Do I need a certain badge to attend parties?

Yes. Most of our events outside of the Stagecoach Theater are open to the public. However, there are some events that are exclusive to All-Access Badge holders. We highly recommend purchasing the All-Access Badge. Not only does it allow you into all of the screenings, but you’ll also have access to the Filmmaker’s Lounge, Filmmaker Panel Discussions and the private Closing Night Party. All-Access Badge holders get all the perks of the filmmakers who are representing their films. This includes free food and drink in the Filmmaker’s Lounge and drink tickets at after parties and the Closing Night Party.

Are there opportunities to network?

Yes, yes and yes. Just last year, an actress from Los Angeles came out to support her short film. At the festival, she met a director from Dallas and later that summer was cast in his latest feature film, which was shot in East Texas. You never know whom you’ll meet. There will be all types of industry professionals from across the globe. If you love film, this is the place to be.

Where will the films be screened?

The Stagecoach Theater is the official theater for the Hill Country Film Festival. It is an individually owned and operated theater with digital technology, 3-D screens and stadium seating. All films will be screened at the Stagecoach, located at 2254 South US Hwy 87, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624.

What are the screening formats?

All screenings will be on DVD or High-res downloadable QuickTime.

How do I get there?

The closest major airports are Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the San Antonio International Airport. Both feature most major airlines and car rental companies. Fredericksburg is a little more than an hour drive from each airport.

What is there to do in Fredericksburg?

What is there not to do in Fredericksburg? The town is full of exciting things to do and is in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Here you’ll find:

  • Main Street Shopping
  • Historic District architecture
  • Antique shopping
  • Fine dinning
  • Enchanted Rock for hiking and rock climbing
  • Texas Wildflowers
  • Fantastic Bed & Breakfast accommodations
  • Hunting/Fishing/Wildlife
  • LBJ National Park
  • Vineyards/Wineries/Wine tours
  • Live music, restaurants, bars & more

For more information on Fredericksburg, visit: www.visitfredericksburgtx.org.

Can I volunteer?

Of course! Just send us an email to info@hillcountryff.com. We’ll be sure to contact you. Volunteering means that you’re helping the independent film community. And you get to screen all the films.