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The Katy Film Festival will be a family oriented event that will raise awareness of the talents and abilities of creative people in our community and offer exposure of community-minded businesses to the populace.

We would like also to raise financial support and encouragement for the formal education of Katy Visual Arts students from participation, purchases and sponsorships. Once arrangements have been solidified we will announce the recipient organization.

We are also working on a scholarship program for the most astute young artists.

It is our hope that Katy and its surrounding areas will gain its deserved recognition for its talents and ability to raise up young artists.

This program was begun by the owners of two locally owned businesses who have a heart for young people, creativity, and their community. It is our intention to make this film festival a stepping stone for many Katy young people and to give them a platform upon which to shine.

Why The Arts? - An excerpt taken from the Katy ISD web site, "Nobody has a guaranteed seat at the top anymore. They never did, of course, but the fact is if America wants to remain competitive in the global markets of the 21st century, creativity is not a luxury. America needs a workforce that is flexible, adaptable, and highly creative; and it needs an education system that can develop these qualities in everyone.

The arts teach many of the skills, aptitudes and values that are at the heart of America’s “creative economy” and beyond. Arts education isn’t another problem that policymakers have to address but a solution they need to embrace.”

This idea was sparked by the growing demand for the annual movie making camps that we have held over the last four years. Our last camp, in the summer of 2008 was filled well before it started. Then after the thirteen students created their two movies we had over 70 people show up at the Alamo Drafthouse for the premier showing and awards ceremony. Click here to see a press release regarding that event.

Children and parents alike are craving for a venue like this.

Who are the founders?

Name: Amber Strickland

Occupation: Small Business Owner - Your Local Computer Store & The Core PC Gameroom

Hometown: Houston, TX

Education: Katy High School - Class of '92, University of Houston

Professional experience: Marketing, Entrepreneur, Computer Consultant, Computer Geek and Instructor

Favorite Movies: Star Wars, True Lies, Terminator, Seven, Usual Suspects, Lord of the Rings (All), Wizard of Oz, Footloose, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill (1&2), Dances with Wolves, Gladiator, Fight Club and a bunch more. I have a hard time remembering movie titles.

Hobbies: Computer Gaming, Photography and Video Editing

Known for: Putting my foot in my mouth, my big smile and sense of humor

Likes: All time favorite - watching any of my kids laugh or smile

Dislikes: People who think they are better than everybody else

Kids: 3 - Jacob (13), Jenna (9) and Shawn (4)

Why are you doing this? A genuine desire to help the young people of our community. Kids need more positive influences and opportunities and it is my hope we can give them a goal to strive for which will show off their creative abilities. Katy needs a venue where we can encourage young people to express themselves in a positive way. It is our goal to not only give much needed funds to our schools but to start a new Katy tradition.

Name: Buddy Englett

Occupation: Self-employed - Pyro~Media

Hometown: Mobile, AL

Education: High School Graduate and some college

Professional experience: Videographer, Graphic Designer, Audio/Video Systems, Teacher

Favorite Movies: Escape from New York, Payback, Star Wars, My Cousin Vinny, Indiana Jones, Star Trek, Band of Brothers, Caddy Shack, Grind House - Death Proof, Pulp Fiction, Waking Life, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Logan's Run, North by Northwest, The Man With Two Brains, Braveheart, The Patriot, History of the World Part One, Napoleon Dynamite, The Matrix, The Passion of the Christ, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Bullitt, Gladiator, The Perfect Storm, Swordfish, O Brother Where Art Thou?

Hobbies: Watching Movies, Reading, Interior Decorating

Known for: Flames, Flashy Clothes and Car

Likes: Chocolate, Steak, Red Wine, Peace and Quiet, Relaxation

Dislikes: Noise, Small Cars, Hayfeaver Season

Kids: 2, Son who's 20 and in college & daughter who's 15 and in the ROTC

Why are you doing this? After a few years of struggling to learn video production on my own I realized how much easier it would have been, had I had access to an instructor or educational setting. My mind is full of ideas for movies and short films that should have materialized years ago. However, I'm now too busy making a living to flesh them out. I think we, as a society, owe it to ourselves to give our young people an outlet as early as possible to manifest their creativity and to offer them the tools to better hone their skills. I can think of no better place to start than Katy, Texas, where our students have shown promise in every area of academics, athletics and art. We may have a successor to Martin Scorsese or George Lucas or someone even greater in our midst. We just need to cultivate them a bit.

If you'd like to participate in this great undertaking there are a number of ways you can; by buying tickets to the event, sponsorship, submitting your video for the competition volunteering or just donating.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.