Southeast Texas is home to a strong community of filmmakers. However, there is often a lack of access to the inner circles of the film industry.
Actress Candice Harrison and her husband, producer Daniel Katzman, want to change that.
The pair have introduced the Orange Film and Arts Festival, set to begin in November with submissions open now.
“We need more culture and more film and arts and theater in South Texas, and because we’re in Orange that’s what we picked,” Katzman said. “Everyone is invited. Everyone is welcome.”
Production companies often choose to film outside the country, in places like Canada, the United Kingdom and Spain, this it is cheaper to film outside the country. However, Texas is also a popular place to film because it offers tax incentives.
“Texas is the next big thing because they have gotten through the incentive, but a lot of it is up north in Dallas and Austin,” Katzman said. “The gap we’re filling in is Southeast Texas, and we’re here to say we have a lot to offer.”
Harrison said there will be three festivals going on at once — a theater festival, an art festival, and the film festival. They will feature panels and workshops for theater and film, and an art market, as well as film screenings.
“We have three different festivals combined into one that you normally don’t see together,” Harrison said. “You’ve normally seen a film festival, or maybe a film and arts festival, but you’ve never seen a film, arts and theatre festival.”
Large festivals are often unaffordable for filmmakers who are starting out, with tickets ranging from $150 to $500. Passes for the Orange festival will be $25.
Harrison and Katzman said they hope attendess will get the kind of education most people can only receive on a set, with access to insider information. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with seasoned professionals.
“We’re going to offer festival passes for anyone who wants to partake in any of the mixers, workshops, panels,” Harrison said. “If you don’t want to pay for a festival pass. You’re more than welcome to come watch all the screenings because that part is all free.
For more information, visit orangefilmandartsfestival.com.