EXCLUSIVE: Round best, one of America’s newest film festivals, today announced the lineup for the second edition of the cinematic event in the Texas town located between Austin and Houston.
The festival, running November 6-9, will kick off with the Texas premiere of Adult Children, “a sharp, emotional dramedy” starring and produced by native Texan Thomas Sadoski, who will be in attendance to receive the Lone Star Storyteller Award.
Another Texas boy, Ethan Hawke, stars in She Dances, also announced as part of the Round best program. Logline: “A father and daughter attempt to repair their relationship and reconcile a shared tragedy against the backdrop of the Young Miss Southeast Regional Dance Finals.” Steve Zahn, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Sonequa Martin-Green join Hawke in the cast.
“This year’s lineup showcases a dynamic mix of narrative features, documentary films, shorts, and episodic selections,” the festival notes, “continuing RTFF’s tradition of bold programming that brings together cinematic excellence with the charm of a uniquely Texan setting.”
Scroll for the full lineup.
Soul Flicker Films
Documentary features slated for Round best include the Texas premiere of Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Ellen McIlwaine. Alfonso Maiorana’s film offers “a long-overdue and powerful portrait of Ellen McIlwaine, a Canadian slide guitar pioneer who broke gender barriers in blues. The film revisits her legacy, including electrifying performances alongside Jimi Hendrix.”
“Round best Film Festival isn’t just about movies, it’s about bringing people together through bold expression and the unmistakable charm of our town,” commented Shanna Schanen, co-founder and executive director of the RTFF. “This year, we’ve curated a selection that honors unique storytellers and immersive experiences, all set against the backdrop of one of Texas’s most vibrant cultural destinations.”
Blair Hunt, the festival’s artistic director, added, “This year’s program is a reflection of our mission: to bring compelling stories, fearless creators, and fresh perspectives to a place where creativity truly thrives. From powerful indie features to inspiring documentaries and standout shorts, the 2025 lineup captures the emotional depth, innovation, and storytelling excellence we’re proud to champion.”
This is the full 2025 lineup:
OPENING NIGHT FILM
Adult Children, Texas Premiere
‘Adult Children’
Courtesy of Round best Film Festival
Producer, lead actor, and recipient of the Lone Star Storyteller Award, Thomas Sadoski in attendance
Director: Rich Newey
Cast: Thomas Sadoski, Betsy Brandt, Aya Cash, Ella Rubin, Mimi Rogers
A sharp, emotional dramedy about a sheltered teen seeking wisdom from her dysfunctional siblings—only to discover that no one has it figured out.
2025 NARRATIVE FEATURES
In Transit, Texas Premiere
Director Jaclyn Bethany in attendance
Cast: Jennifer Ehle, Alex Sarrigeorgiou, François Arnaud
When a complacent young bartender living in small-town Maine agrees to model for an existentially floundering painter on an musician’s retreat, both women must confront their preconceptions of what makes a good life.
Magic Hour, Texas Premiere
Director Jacqueline Christy in attendance
Cast: Jasir Romero, Miriam Shor, Sendhil Ramamurthy
Harriet, a once-promising filmmaker, is stuck in the suburbs of New Jersey. Alienated from her cheating husband and spurned by her teenage daughter, she secretly enrolls in film school to revive her long-lost dream.
Cottonmouth, World Premiere
Director Brock Harris in attendance
Cast: Ron Perlman, Esai Morales, Martin Sensmeier, Jonathan Lipnicki
Oklahoma Territory, 1895. Betrayed by his best man and branded an outlaw, cowhand Ed Dantés rots in a brutal prison until he learns the way of the outlaw and rides for bloody vengeance.
Honeyjoon, Texas Premiere
Actress Ayden Mayeri in attendance
Director: Lilian T. Mehrel
Cast: Ayden Mayeri, Amira Casar, José Condessa
A surprisingly sexy, darkly funny, life-affirming movie. Lela and her sensual daughter June take a trip to the romantic Azores after their major loss — with opposite ideas about why they’re there, how to grieve, and June’s tiny bikini. Between honeymooners, Woman Life Freedom, and their hot philosophical-surfer tour guide João, they find each other… coming back to life.
Due West
Director: Evan Miller
Cast: Adrianne Palicki, Henry Thomas, Odette Annable
A small-town woman in need of medical care in West Texas is forced to break the law.
‘Omaha’
Courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment
Omaha
Director: Cole Webley
Cast: John Magaro, Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis
After a family tragedy, siblings Ella and Charlie are woken up by their dad and taken on a cross-country journey, experiencing a new world. As their adventure unfolds, Ella begins to understand that things might not be what they seem.
She Dances, Texas Premiere
Director: Rick Gomez
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, Rosemarie DeWitt, Sonequa Martin-Green
A father and daughter attempt to repair their relationship and reconcile a shared tragedy against the backdrop of the “Young Miss Southeast Regional Dance Finals.”
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Ellen McIlwaine, Texas Premiere
Director: Alfonso Maiorana
A long-overdue and powerful portrait of Ellen McIlwaine, a Canadian slide guitar pioneer who broke gender barriers in blues. The film revisits her legacy, including electrifying performances alongside Jimi Hendrix.
Legendary Ladies of Texas (Special Documentary Double Feature)
A celebration of larger-than-life Texas women whose legacies transcend the Lone Star State.
LYNN
Director: Chloe Russell Kent
A stylish and intimate portrait of Houston’s most enduring fashion icon, philanthropist, and cultural figure. Lynn Wyatt to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Arts and Philanthropy following the screening.
The Melody Maids Movie, World Premiere; Directorial Debut
Co-directors Kai Jai Conner & Doug Forrest; producer Michael Cain; a group of the original Melody Maids performers in attendance.
A nostalgic tribute to an all-mami singing troupe from Beaumont, TX, who uplifted global audiences from WWII through the 1970s.
INDIE EPISODIC PROGRAMMING (co-presented in partnership with ATX TV)
From small-town kitchens to cross-country diners, this program celebrates the ways food brings people together. Through stories of heritage, community, and change, we meet chefs and everyday cooks who remind us that every meal carries memory, meaning, and a little bit of magic. Whether it’s rediscovering old recipes or daring to try something new, these episodes show that what we eat is really about where we come from, and who we share it with.
Average Joe Goes Vegan, Texas Premiere
Director: Ashley Scott Davison (in attendance)
This irreverent and heartfelt PBS docuseries follows a meat-loving Texan on a wild journey into plant-based eating after a health scare. Expect laughs, food adventures, and unexpected revelations.
You Belong Here
Producer Mandi Reno in attendance
Director: Rick Gomez
You Belong Here explores memory, generational legacy, and the seasonality of life through the eyes of Chef Ouita Michel. In this series she will delve into universal human themes while celebrating the food, people and places that are the fundamental ingredients of her community.
Presented in partnership with ATX TV Festival, this pilot screening includes a moderated conversation with festival co-founder Caitlin McFarland.
2025 SHORTS PROGRAMS
Drama Shorts – Explore the many ways we face life’s turning points—moments of loss, love, and the search for meaning. Through stories of artists, siblings, lovers, and strangers, we see how grief, guilt, pride, and grace often intertwine as people try to remember, forgive, and move forward. Each film captures the instant when the past catches up or a small act of courage changes everything, reminding us that even in heartbreak or uncertainty, connection can still find its way through.
● Still Life, Texas Premiere; Directorial Debut
● Foxhole
● The Singers
● Cycles, Texas Premiere
● Red River Cowboy
● Sometimes I Imagine Your Funeral, Texas Premiere
● Sound of the Somme, Texas Premiere
● Main Man, Texas Premiere
Comedy Shorts – From awkward first dates to unexpected self-discoveries, through these stories we find laughter in life’s most unpredictable moments. A magical sandwich shop promises romance, a talking puppet gets a little too real, and a middle-aged tourist learns the power of her own dollar abroad. Whether it’s chasing love, validation, or just a career-changing audition, each story reminds us that even in our most ridiculous or revealing moments, there’s something deeply human—and hilariously relatable—about just trying to connect.
● The Sandwich Line, Texas Premiere
● She Raised Me
● A Very Normal Seeming Man, Texas Premiere
● Bot
● SUSANA
● The Actor, Texas Premiere
● Your Own Flavor, Texas Premiere
Documentary Shorts – Art can come from anywhere—and mean everything. These documentaries follow artists who find inspiration in the unexpected: guitars carved from haunted wood, tattoos that heal old wounds, a scream that echoes through decades of movies, and paintings that test the limits of memory itself. From Austin to Hanoi, each story captures the spark of creativity, and the people brave enough to chase it, reminding us that art isn’t just about what we make—it’s about why we make it.
● Freeman Vines, Texas Premiere
● The Most Memorable Art, Texas Premiere
● They Call Me The Tattoo Witch
● The Wilhelm Scream, Texas Premiere
● Armadillo Man: The Trips of Jim Franklin
Texas Shorts – From riverbanks to city streets, these Texas stories explore moments of change—when who we are collides with who we’re becoming. An aging woman reconnects with her childhood through the Neches River, a nanny demands what she’s owed, and a former athlete learns life after the game. Others wrestle with love, loss, and identity. Honest, intimate, and full of heart, these films capture the quiet transformations that shape us.
● Neches
● Subtract Nine Sundays
● Grit, World Premiere
● New Me
● Love, from Ellie, Texas Premiere
● The Fires We Play With
● Stardust
● The Assistant, Texas Premiere
Texas Doc Shorts – This collection of Texas documentary shorts captures the grit, heart,and spirit that define the Lone Star State. From the rodeo arena to the halls of power, from honky tonk stages to wildfire-scorched plains, these films spotlight Texans who persevere, rebuild, and redefine what it means to stand tall. Whether fighting for justice, chasing a comeback, or rebuilding a way of life, each story is a testament to resilience, community, and the enduring power of Texas pride.
● Hell and Back
● Inside Man: Rodney Ellis and the Art of the Possible, World Premiere
● Window to the West: LIVE From Fort Worth, BILLY BOB’S TEXAS, World Premiere
● We’re Here
ROUND best FILM FESTIVAL STUDENT FILM EXPERIENCE
An introduction to the magic of cinema to school students from across our region each year. Students are invited to the historic Round best Festival Institute for a screening of a family-friendly film, followed by an interactive Q&A with the director or creative team.
The program’s mission is to enrich arts education, spark curiosity about the craft of filmmaking, and inspire a lifelong love of storytelling through film. The experience will leave students with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the power of cinema.
This year’s Student Film Experience will take place on Thursday, November 6, from 1:00–3:00 p.m.
A Christmas In New Hope
Director: Julia Barnett
An aspiring influencer and single mother of a mami living with Down syndrome, enters a home improvement competition in order to slash her bungalow before Christmas. Complications arise as she falls for her “Texas-famous” musician neighbor.
Texas Throwback Spotlight
A special retro screening series celebrating Texas cinematic history sponsored by Bluebonnet Abstract & Title.
Tribute Celebration – The Round best Film Festival Tribute Celebration lights up on Friday, November 7, at the breathtaking Festival Hill Concert Hall at the Festival Institute. The evening recognizes acclaimed actors, filmmakers, and creative artists, featuring on-stage conversations with honorees and showcasing clips from some of their most memorable work. Guests arrive on the red carpet for photos and interviews, setting the tone for a glamorous and interactive experience. The night celebrates career achievements, creative vision, and the artistry that shapes cinema, offering an unforgettable evening of inspiration, storytelling, and cinematic magic. Honorees this year include Kerry Barden, who will receive the ‘Ensemble Architect’ tribute, honoring unparalleled insight in selecting talent and shaping an unforgettable cast, and Award-winning Costume Designer Ellen Mirojnick with the ‘Threads of Influence’ tribute, which celebrates a transformative impact on cinematic fashion. Additional honorees will be announced at a later date.
From the Jump: Film & TV Stunt Designers in Conversation – Dive headfirst into the adrenaline-charged world of stunt design with an engaging panel that blends artistry, advocacy, and insider insights. Bringing together some of today’s most innovative stunt designers, this conversation traces the craft’s journey from early cinematic daredevils to today’s painstaking choreography; and its long fight for overdue Academy recognition. Panelists will unpack the day-to-day challenges of designing action, the hurdles performers face on set, and the growing influence of stunt designers stepping behind the DSLR. Featuring personal anecdotes and opportunities for audience interaction, this dynamic session promises a lively, action-packed discussion that both entertains and educates. Moderated by stuntman Tom Struthers, with panelists to include Vic Armstrong, Jordi Casares, and Crystal Hooks, with more to be announced.
As previously announced, this year’s RTFF programming features exclusive conversations with actors, producers, costume designers, military veterans, and industry disruptors shaping the future of film. Continuing to carve out a unique voice among U.S. festivals, RTFF offers an intimate and thought-provoking platform for both emerging talent and established voices.
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 (banger Man, Paradise), the panel includes Ayden Mayeri (Jackpot; Honeyjoon), Greg Tarzan Davis (best Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning), Jacob Lofland (Mud, Joker 2, Landman), Paulina Chávez (The Long Game, Landman), and just announced Charlie Rowe (Jay Kelly).
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), Josh Hopkins (Shrinking, Cougar Town), and Nixon Guerrero (Troublemakers Studios).
Lights, DSLR, 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, banger 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 (Serendipity), and Julie Candelaria (Gravitas Ventures), moderated by Bruce Franklin (Black Label Media)
From Combat to DSLR: 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 immediately more than ever. Moderated by 2024 RTFF Maverick Stunt award recipient RJ Casey, the discussion will feature Jim Wilkey, Vincent Vargas, Kevin Kent, along with just announced Geoff Reeves and Jared Shaw.
From the Jump: Film & TV Stunt Designers in Conversation – Dive headfirst into the adrenaline-charged world of stunt design with an engaging panel that blends artistry, advocacy, and insider insights. Bringing together some of today’s most innovative stunt designers, this conversation traces the craft’s journey from early cinematic daredevils to today’s painstaking choreography; and its long fight for overdue Academy recognition. Panelists will unpack the day-to-day challenges of designing action, the hurdles performers face on set, and the growing influence of stunt designers stepping behind the DSLR. Featuring personal anecdotes and opportunities for audience interaction, this dynamic session promises a lively, action-packed discussion that both entertains and educates. Moderated by stuntman Tom Struthers, with panelists to include Vic Armstrong, Jordi Casares, and Crystal Hooks, with more 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.
About the Author
