CAMP Film + Fest

This gripping block features three short films exploring hidden motives and complex relationships. Philip and Timothy Linnik’s They Were Art Thieves follows two brothers in a life where survival means dancing through the shadows, facing the chance to live out their dreams through freedom. Monique Yvonne’s Ashes to Ashes portrays a young woman receiving mysterious objects that blur reality and illusion, forcing her to confront the unknown. Harold Bohorquez’s Zulian Pretzel depicts a police officer recruiting two teenage hustlers to his wife’s failing restaurant, uncovering a hidden pregnancy, a fractured marriage, and the true meaning of family. The Linniks, Yvonne, and Bohorquez craft intense, evocative narratives that delve into deception, survival, and personal reckoning. This block offers a thrilling exploration of shadowy intentions and emotional truths, perfect for attendees craving stories that challenge and captivate.

Looking for a moment to take a break and relax during the festival? Visit the Notion Cafe which features drinks and light snacks complimentary of our friends at Notion and Cometeer. Get a first look at the new Notion filmmaker templates and meet Danielle from their influencer marketing team.

The Script to Screen Gallery captures the transformative process of creating this festival’s short films. From the Austin writing phase to the energy of production, this exhibit traces the journey through candid photos of brainstorming sessions, behind-the-scenes shoot moments, script pages showcasing early concepts, and physical items like props and costumes that brought each story to life. See how ideas evolved from words on a page to cinematic reality, revealing the filmmakers’ passion, collaboration, and challenges along the way. This gallery offers an intimate glimpse into the craft of filmmaking, inviting attendees to explore the artistry behind the festival’s stories.

**This session is for the 60 studio pass holders who signed up to be a part of this challenge**

Our friends at Epidemic Sound are helping us bring a Creator Camp tradition to CAMP Film Festival — the One-Day Film challenge. The idea is to help creators push creative boundaries. Creativity is maximized when it faces parameters.

This session will kick off the challenge. We'll introduce the Epidemic Sound team, share the challenge details and get the participants set up on Epidemic Sound.

The winning films will be screened at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday evening for everyone to see!

Dive into a captivating Director on Director session with Wesley Wang and Kane Parsons (Pixels) at the film festival! This 60-minute event unfolds in three engaging parts. First, each director breaks down three favorite clips from the other’s work—Wesley unpacking Kane’s eerie Backrooms YouTube series, and Kane exploring Wesley’s acclaimed short Nothing, Except Everything—sharing inspirations and techniques (25 mins). Next, enjoy an unmoderated, relaxed convo between them, filled with creative insights and behind-the-scenes tales (20 mins). End with a 15-minute Q&A, where you can ask anything! A must for fans and filmmakers eager to peek into their visionary minds.

This mesmerizing block features two short films delving into hidden truths and fantastical realms. Zach Schy’s Make No Change follows a reclusive coder who builds a ‘pleasure machine’ that disconnects him from reality, forcing him to confront his chronic escapism. Jordan Studdard’s Keep of Secrets transports us to a fantasy world where diverse jobs define society, and one character manages everyone’s secrets, navigating the burden of trust and power. Schy and Studdard, both innovative storytellers, craft compelling narratives that explore isolation, responsibility, and the weight of hidden knowledge. From a coder’s detachment to a secret-keeper’s duty in a magical realm, this block unveils the tension between inner worlds and external realities, offering festival attendees a thought-provoking journey through stories that blend the cerebral with the fantastical.

Dive into Building Little Worlds with Marina at the film festival! This 60-minute community session creates a warm, vintage motel vibe where you’ll team up with fellow creators. After Marina’s intro (5-10 mins), join 5-7 groups to collaboratively build a story, adding quirky objects to a live-projected diorama of a run-down motel room with a mysterious visitor. Together, tweak lighting and sound to shape the tale, then collectively craft a story with your group. Marina shares each unique narrative aloud, showcasing how teamwork and imagination turn tiny details into epic, shared worlds—perfect for creators who love collaboration!

Join “Storytelling Through Photography” with Jeffrey Sun—a hands-on, community-powered workshop at the film festival! Kick things off with playful musical chairs and creative icebreakers to meet fellow artists and switch pods through fun, thought-provoking questions. Then, in groups of four, grab from a stash of toys—action figures, dolls, Nerf guns—and create a 5-frame photo story using just your iPhone. Get as creative as you like: collage, doodle, color grade—anything goes. Compile your story into a presentation file, share it with Jeffrey, and see your work projected for everyone to experience and discuss together. We’ll close with Jeffrey sharing his personal journey—the fears that come with putting yourself out there, and why embracing vulnerability is essential to creative growth. You'll leave with space to reflect and share your own insights, too.

Join YesTheory founders Thomas Brag and Ammar Kandil for an unfiltered dive into the evolution of storytelling in the digital age, moderated by Kate Ward. From crafting mini-docs in their bedrooms to producing and self-distributing impactful films like Project Iceman, they’ve built a blueprint for independent creators to thrive outside traditional systems. Hear how they turned down a $1.25M deal to protect their creative freedom, why releasing on YouTube outshone Amazon Prime for them, and what it takes to balance artistic integrity with a massive online presence. Expect raw insights on developing films from scratch, the power of platform-agnostic stories, and their future plans to raise empathy and consciousness through scripted projects. This is for artists, aspiring filmmakers, and anyone ready to see how the internet is bridging bedrooms to the big screen.

On the final night of the Camp Film Festival, all attendees will pack into the iconic Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX, for a dazzling Red Carpet Premiere! Step onto the red carpet outside the theatre, strike a pose at our branded step-and-repeat, and let our photo/video team capture the glamour.

Hosted by the ever-charismatic Zurkie, this 90-minute live show brings late-night energy to the festival stage. Blending humor, heart, and celebration, the event spotlights 11–12 featured filmmakers in a vibrant, talk show-style format.

In the first half, filmmakers appear in small groups for quick, candid interviews—sharing stories, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes moments. Midway through, we’ll pause for a special 10-minute segment to honor the winner of the Epidemic Sound Film Challenge.

The second half brings everyone on stage for a fun, free-flowing group conversation—an unforgettable close to a night of community, creativity, and connection.

Night 2 of CAMP Musical Performances is a sonic treat! MandelBro, hailing from Paris, spins a singular sound—melding dreamy electronic textures with eclectic folk vibes, crafting a hypnotic, otherworldly experience that’s uniquely his own. Then, Whitworth (Owen) delivers soulful acoustic magic, his tender yet powerful voice weaving introspective tales that resonate deeply—a hidden gem ready to captivate. Closing is Clint (Clint Mickelson), a rock-blues titan whose gritty riffs and commanding presence have rocked stages nationwide. Expect raw energy and magnetic swagger. This lineup fuses bold experimentation, heartfelt storytelling, and pure passion—bring your crew and soak in a night of unforgettable music!