September 18, 2025 – Round Top, TX — The second edition of Round Top Film Festival (RTFF) taking place November 6-9, has unveiled its first programming announcement, featuring a lineup of panels, conversations and industry spotlights as part of its highly anticipated 2025 slate. RTFF will bring together leading figures from across the entertainment world for a one-of-a-kind cinematic celebration in the heart of Texas.
Set against the backdrop of Round Top’s unique blend of Texas charm, arts culture, and community spirit, the festival offers an intimate yet dynamic environment for discovering new voices in film. Screenings take place in Festival Hill’s ornate Concert Hall, often praised by filmmakers as the most breathtaking venue their work will ever be shown in, and at the storied Round Top Dance Hall, a cornerstone of small-town life where Southern honky-tonk charm meets Hollywood flair. With thoughtfully curated programming, engaging conversations, and opportunities to connect with artists and industry leaders, Round Top Film Festival is redefining the film festival experience, bringing world-class cinema, creative collaboration, and cultural exchange to an inspiring setting in the heart of the Lone Star State.
“We built RTFF to be a festival with heart, where artists, audiences, and industry voices connect in meaningful ways. This year’s lineup reflects that spirit, bringing together bold perspectives, untold stories, and the creative energy that makes Round Top unlike anywhere else,” said Shanna Schanen, Co-Founder + Executive Director, Round Top Film Festival
This year’s programming features exclusive conversations with actors, producers, costume designers, military veterans, and industry disruptors shaping the future of film. RTFF continues to carve out a unique voice among U.S. festivals, offering an intimate and thought-provoking platform for emerging talent and established voices alike.
The RTFF Rising Star Showcase – Step into the spotlight with Hollywood’s next generation. This special showcase features a handpicked group of actors on the brink of major stardom. These are the performers whose recent roles, from breakout TV shows to scene-stealing turns on the big screen, are turning heads and building momentum toward what we believe will be long, celebrated careers. This intimate, moderated conversation will allow honorees to reflect on the roles that put them on the map, the transitions they’re navigating, and the path ahead. With talent, charisma, and undeniable presence, these rising stars are well on their way to becoming household names – and you’ll be able to say you saw them just before they blew up. Moderated by Austin local Richard Robichaux (Hit Man, Paradise), the panel includes Ayden Mayeri (Jackpot; Honeyjoon), Greg Tarzan Davis (Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning), Jacob Lofland (Mud, Joker 2, Landman), and Paulina Chávez (The Long Game, Landman), with additional guests to be announced.
Lens on the Lone Star State: Filmmaking in Texas – From wide-open plains to bustling cities, Texas is full of cinematic potential- but making a film here comes with its own set of challenges. Industry experts will share real-world advice and the practical realities of shooting in Texas, from navigating locations and tax incentives to building the right team and ensuring authentic local representation. Whether new to filmmaking, or a seasoned pro, attendees will get practical tips for bringing Texas stories to life. Moderated by Ali Nichols of the Texas Film Commission, confirmed panelists include Chase Musselwhite (Media For Texas), Michelle Habecker (Texas Film Commission), Duncan Montgomery (High Frequency Entertainment), along with additional guests to be announced.
Lights, Camera, Couture!: The Influence of Fashion & Film – Costume design is storytelling- shaping characters, setting tone, and reflecting the world around us. From classic Hollywood glamour to modern street style, film and fashion have always influenced each other. This panel explores how on-screen looks inspire real-world trends, reflects cultural shifts, and evolves with new technologies. With topics for designers, filmmakers, or fashion enthusiasts alike, this panel offers a lively look at how costume design enhances narrative, and continues to shape both cinema and everyday style. This conversation features some of the most respected names in costume design, including Courtney Hoffman (The Hateful Eight, Captain Fantastic), Christina Flannery (Righteous Gemstones), Dominique Dawson (Origin, Chad Powers), Ellen Mirojnick (The Greatest Showman, Oppenheimer, Bridgerton), and Juliana Hoffpauir (Green Book, Hit Man).
“Still Rolling”: A State of the Film Industry Conversation – Hollywood is going through big changes- with fresh voices, innovative ideas, and evolving ways of making and sharing stories. This panel dives into what that means for filmmakers today: from accessible creative tools and immersive tech, to shifting studio priorities and the rise of indie creators. It also addresses the ripple effects of recent industry strikes, changing audience habits, and the push for more diverse storytelling, while highlighting opportunities to thrive in a rapidly evolving production landscape. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the game, this is about how we adapt, create, and move the industry forward together. Confirmed panelists include actor and producer Jonathan Lipnicki (Buffalo 8/Bondit Capital), Stephen Mastrocola (Buffalo 8/Bondit Capital), Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Range Media Partners), screenwriter Marc Klein, and Julie Candelaria (Gravitas Ventures).
From Combat to Camera: Honoring Veteran Voices in Film – This powerful panel explores the journey of military veterans who have transitioned from active service to active storytelling- finding purpose, expression, and community in a new kind of mission. From the battlefield to the backlot, the shared values of discipline, trust, and teamwork create a natural bridge, and sense of camaraderie, between military units and film crews. Hear from veteran filmmakers, writers, and actors who are redefining the narrative by not just telling war stories, but telling their stories. This conversation will explore how the film industry can become a meaningful next chapter for veterans, the challenges and triumphs of translating military experience into creative careers, and why honoring these voices matters now more than ever. Moderated by 2024 RTFF Maverick Stunt award recipient RJ Casey, the discussion will feature Jim Wilkey, Vincent Vargas and Kevin Kent, with additional participants to be announced.
Additionally, RTFF is proud to welcome five distinguished industry leaders as official jurors for the 2025 festival: Leslie Zemeckis (Director – Behind the Burly Q; Grandes Horizontales), Marc Klein (Screenwriter – Serendipity; Mirror Mirror), Marié Botha (Actress – The Penguin; Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play), Mariel Hemingway (Actress – Manhattan; On Sacred Ground), and Meryl Poster (Producer – Chocolat; Chicago). These jurors will help select this year’s standout films across a range of categories and genres.
“RTFF is about more than films, it’s about conversations that matter. This year’s panels spotlight the talent, craft, and vision shaping the future of storytelling, all with the spirit and authenticity that define Round Top,” said Blair Hunt, Artistic Director, Round Top Film Festival.
More broadly, additional programming announcements will be shared in the coming weeks. The RTFF Festival Hub & Box Office at the Round Top Town Hall, located at 102 Main St. in the Round Top Courthouse Square will be open November 5-9 for pass pickup or purchase. RTFF representatives will be available to assist interested parties in the purchase of festival passes and to answer questions.
Full festival passes are currently available via the Round Top Film Festival website.
About Round Top Film Festival
Founded by Shanna and Skylar Schanen in 2024, the Round Top Film Festival (RTFF) is committed to enriching our community through the power of film and the arts. Our mission is to ignite creativity, encourage learning, and provide a magical cultural experience that leaves audiences inspired. We are dedicated to curating a program that includes the best films from around the world for a unique, sophisticated, distinct audience, creating opportunities for open dialogue, appreciation, and the celebration of diverse voices of cinema. The festival takes place November 6 – 9, 2025. The Round Top Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Round Top Film Festival has received the support of many incredible sponsors, who include but are not limited to:
Major Sponsors: Agazul Tequila, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Costa Palmas, Ganam Safaris, Murphy Yates Signature Homes, Porsche/Hi-Tech Motorcars, Provisions Events Texas, Tracey and Bill Marshall, Zadok Jewelers
Festival Sponsors: 550 District, Black River Caviar, Festival Hill, Hotel Lulu, Market Hill, Oakbones, Red Antler, Seats & Suites
For more information on passes and events, visit www.roundtopfilmfest.org.
