AUSTIN, Texas — “People give us their films, we watch and go through them multiple times, and when we put this together, this is like our baby,” Lake Travis Film Festival founder and executive director, Kat Albert said.
Albert has spent the past year preparing for this weekend.
“I got tired of driving to the East side to see everything cool and thought, we deserve something on the West side too,” Albert said.
A celebration of cinema, nearly 100 films from across Texas and the world will hit the screens for this boutique festival just west of Austin.
“Everybody has a story and these are stories we share of people that submitted their films,” Albert said. “As we look at each other’s stories, we can understand each other better and hopefully that brings us all closer.”
Celebrating its third full year, the four-day event has organically become a major showcase for women in the industry, especially Texans, with nearly 75% holding a prominent role in these pictures.
“When you see what other people have created, it’s inspirational for your next project,” co-director and writer Julia Barnett said.
“I’m really happy to see so many other female filmmakers and the people who run this festival,” co-director Suzanne Weinert said. “There is a very large female group that brings the excitement for this festival. It’s nice to be part of that.”
From directors to producers and everything in between, it’s an important opportunity to share their victories and the success still to come.
“It’s authentic because these women have just come to us as themselves,” Albert said.