AUSTIN, Texas -- Black filmmakers throughout the area gathered this weekend for a local film festival.
The Capital City Black Film Festival continues to grow in its fourth year.
Organizers say this year they brought out one of their biggest panels yet, including film industry executives and talent acquisition with major film studios such as Lionsgate and Codeblack Films.
That means not only is it a chance for aspiring filmmakers to share their work with a captive audience, but also potentially make important connections to take their dreams to the next level.
"We have all these people that are here, and every filmmaker that I have welcomed here this weekend, I have told them, 'You have access to them, and this is why we do this. We bring them in for you, and if you don't take advantage of it, that's not on us,’” said executive director Winston G. Williams.
As this festival wraps up, preparations for next year's gathering could begin in early 2017.
Organizers encourage anyone who's been on the fence to create and submit for next year's festival.