The Bryan-College Station area annually hosts numerous lively and popular events that bring the community together. On March 5, Brazos Valley presents the 15th annual Red Wasp Film Festival held in Coulter Airfield in Bryan.
Founders Carol and Craig Conlee created the festival in 2003 to bring attention to the lesser-known art of filmmaking. They partnered with Brazos Progressives in 2006, and the Arts Council of Brazos Valley has been in charge of the festival since 2014. Carol thought of the name during the first spring it was held, just when the red wasps started coming out.
Each year the festival highlights the amount of work that goes into creating an independent film. There will be free showings, about 30 minutes each, of this year’s winners from 2-5pm. Attendees will also be able to indulge with food trucks, Messina Hof wine, and New Republic beer. Showings of submissions will include three categories: narrative short film, documentary short film, and animated shorts.
Filmmakers from around the nation enter submissions into this competitive event. They hope to draw attention to the work of independent, up-and-coming artists who tell powerful and engaging stories on screen.
Attendees can RSVP online on the Red Wasp or Arts Council websites, where they can also browse winners from previous years. The evening will end with announcements of awards in three categories: best of festival, one to watch, and audience favorite, which will later be updated online. The Red Wasp Festival Facebook page will contains photos and reviews from attendees from previous years.
Admission to the festival is free but limited, and parking may be tight for this popular event. Become a film enthusiast for a day and watch art from numerous diverse artists while enjoying a local grape blend or brew. Begin this spring season with a community-wide, colorful festival that brings the box office to the Brazos Valley.
