top of page
DIGITAL PRESS KIT
HISTORY

The Hill Country Film Festival (HCFF) was created to celebrate and showcase filmmakers from Texas and around the world. The festival began in 2010 and screens independent films, short and feature length, as well as hosts filmmaker Q&A and interviews, discussion panels, and festival parties. 

Executive Director Chad Mathews spent his childhood summers in the Texas Hill Country and has always had an affection for Fredericksburg and its people. Partnering with Gary Weeks, the festival’s programming director, they wanted to create a festival atmosphere where filmmakers got a chance to not only showcase their passion, but were offered the opportunity to build lasting relationships and find an audience for their film. Their desire to create a film festival has expanded into a non-profit organization as well, known as the Hill Country Film Society. The society presents the annual festival, provides year-round independent film programming in the Hill Country, and fosters education in the art of independent film.

 

Over the past thirteen years, filmmakers have flocked from Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and elsewhere to promote and enjoy independent film, ranging from animation and action, to drama and comedy. 

 

Such offerings are resonating with consumers and filmmakers alike as festival attendance has increased by more than 5x since 2010. We have also generated a healthy following on social media with more than 9,700+ combined Facebook, Instagram fans and followers on Twitter. 

INDIE FILM IN THE
HEART OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

Fredericksburg, commonly referred to as the “Heart of the Texas Hill Country,” is a small, centrally located town, just over an hour’s drive from both Austin and San Antonio.

 

Don’t let its size fool you — Fredericksburg is one of the most visited places in the state. More than a million tourists travel to Fredericksburg each year to sample wine, eat local delicacies, shop, discover art and history, and enjoy the town’s German heritage. 

Learn more about Fredericksburg here.

HISTORY

FESTIVAL STATS
(since 2010)

STATISTICS

13 Festivals + One Virtual Festival

1036 Films Screened

Over 8600 Attendees

Over 700 Filmmaker + Film Industry Professionals

233 Filmmaker Q&A and Panel Discussions 

 

56 Free Indie Film Series Screenings

5 Summer Film Camps + 15 Focus on Film Presentations= 
429 Area Youth Learning About Filmmaking

242 International Films

490 Texas Premieres
32% Texas-made Films

HILL COUNTRY FILM SOCIETY

The Hill Country Film Festival (HCFS), created in 2010 to celebrate and showcase filmmakers from Texas and around the world, quickly evolved into a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a broader vision. HCFS not only hosts the annual festival, but also provides year-round independent film programming in the Texas Hill Country and fosters education in the art of independent film. Its mission is to encourage discovery through visual storytelling and create experiences that educate, inspire and engage.

 

The society’s programs include:

  • An independent film series that offers free independent film screenings in Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country

  • Educational programs and film screenings for students in Gillespie county

  • Summer film camps for middle school and high school students and filmmaker-in-the classroom presentations (Focus on Film)

  • An annual fundraising event Film Affäre that pairs local cuisine and Hill Country wine with an inspiring film

 

MEMBERSHIP
The society relies on its sponsors and members to help achieve its mission and ensure the future of film as part of our vibrant, creative culture. Membership is good for one full year from the date of enrollment. To learn more about membership levels, click here.

HCFS
TEAM
TEAM

CHAD MATHEWS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

AMY MISKOVSKY

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

WADE LEE

FILM SOCIETY DIRECTOR

GARY WEEKS

PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR

LEE HIGGINS

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Noelle Newby

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING

ANDERSON WILLIAM

TECH DIRECTOR / LEAD PROGRAMMER

WILLIAM F. REED

FILM CAMP INSTRUCTOR

BRIT ADAMS

PROGRAMMER

AMANDA GOODRICH

PROGRAMMER / PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

RACHEL HIGGINS

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

MARISSA KILGORE

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

JUANITA LEE

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

JOHN LEE

HOSPITALITY

MARY KATE PIOTROWSKI

MERCHANDISE / EVENT COORDINATOR

SEAN LEONARD

TECH TEAM

APRIL SOECHTING

HOSPITALITY

STEVE SOECHTING

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

MATT WARD

Q&A MODERATOR

QUOTES

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Loved, loved the people and programming at Hill Country. Everyone is super friendly and simply loves films. On top of that, the fest is hosted in a beautiful small Texas town! Sincerely can't wait to return and very thankful to have been a part of the shorts program.

LAUREN GUZY
ATTENDEE

There was such a positive buzz in the atmosphere. There was never a dull moment, especially with multiple locations. The "best little film festival in Texas" is the best long weekend of the year in Fredericksburg. 

ASHA BYNUM
FILMMAKER

I loved attending Hill Country Film Festival. Very casual and intimate. Super organized and welcoming. And watching great films against the beautiful backdrop of Texas Hill Country was a vibe. 

JOSHUA J. SMITH
FILMMAKER

One of the most friendly film fests in America! This year's Hill Country Film Festival knocked it out of the park with its highly attended screening and roaring parties. A great place to meet people which turned into some key connections. They know how to treat fans and filmmakers!

JOSH ZUCKERMAN
FILMMAKER

CONTACT + LINKS
bottom of page