Film in Bloom: Celebrating a New Wave of Narrative, Doc & Experimental Filmmakers
Photos by Aaron Tamez
At the end of April, we welcomed dozens of new and returning students to our Second Quarter Studio Orientation, launching another season of bold, grassroots film creation at Austin School of Film. Over pizza from Community Partner Bambinos, ice cold drinks from Liquid Death, tons of resources, gear demos, and shared inspiration, students from across our Spring 2025 sessions gathered to kick off their creative journeys—spanning narrative, documentary, and experimental films—with this quarter’s educators Matthew Hemenway, Todd Wiseman, and Faiza Kracheni.
Since then, students have moved through pre-production and are now actively shooting their films—checking out gear, planning shoots, and bringing ideas to life. Each class offers a unique lens into the world of filmmaking:
Digital Filmmaking: Script to Screen is often the first entry point for aspiring filmmakers. Taught by Matthew Hemenway for this session, is a hands-on course guides beginner students from idea to final short film—building essential skills in story structure, production planning, and directing. It's a true launchpad for those new to the craft.
Documentary Filmmaking, led by Todd Wiseman, brings together a vibrant mix of students from across Texas—both locally and from around the state—who are working on micro-documentaries that capture real stories and urgent perspectives. It’s filmmaking rooted in truth, observation, and powerful human connection.
Avant Garden: Experimental Filmmaking, taught by Faiza Kracheni, honors the lineage of film as art and art film. Students explore nontraditional formats, Super 8, and analog techniques while experimenting with structure, abstraction, and visual poetry. This class serves as a continuation of motion picture film as a viable, expressive medium—no matter where you are in your creative journey. It’s also a tribute to the generations of film artists who came before, paving the way for experimentation and boundary-pushing storytelling.
As part of our mission to make filmmaking and the digital arts as accessible as possible, Austin School of Film partners with our Studio Access Program, Cinemaker, to provide students with access to studio space, professional equipment, and a thoughtfully curated orientation to prepare for real-world production. Whether or not students plan to shoot in-studio, orientation offers crucial insight into equipment handling, safety protocols, and studio etiquette—plus a chance to connect with other filmmakers across genres and sessions.
We’re also thrilled to soft-announce the return of our beloved bi-annual screening event: Film & Friends—coming this fall! Featuring films created from January through June, Film & Friends is more than a screening; it’s a celebration. A community gathering inspired by the spirit of early artist salons, this event invites filmmakers, artists, and the public into a shared space of discovery, conversation, and inspiration—engaging with work outside of traditional film spaces.
Now more than ever, public education programs like Austin School of Film matter! As federal support for the arts continues to be slashed—including funding that directly impacts our own nonprofit—local, grassroots organizations like ours must carry the torch.
We run lean—powered by modest budgets and bootstrapped operations—but our impact is anything but small. Each quarter, we directly serve over 200 students locally and nationally, many of whom are first-time filmmakers or come from communities that have been historically excluded from the arts. We’re not just teaching film—we’re building access, opportunity, and pathways into the industry.
At a time when federal arts funding is being slashed and creative spaces are disappearing, programs like ours are more urgent than ever. We make space for new voices, radical ideas, and stories told from lived experience. We challenge industry norms and offer real-world tools to those who need them most. This is filmmaking as empowerment—as equity—as cultural preservation. And we’re here to keep that door open.
Film has the power to transcend borders and boundaries, to challenge critical thought, spark community building, or simply exist as a time capsule of lived truth. Supporting film—especially on a local level—isn't just about art. It’s about connection, preservation, and change.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. We can’t wait to share what these filmmakers are creating. Stay tuned.