Amarillo Film Society to host free 'R.V.' movie screening at RV museum
The newly formed Amarillo Film Society is hosting its second event Thursday at the Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum with a showing of the 2006 Robin Williams comedy “R.V.”
Among its many recreational vehicles (RV) on display is the RV used in the film. Kate McSwain, president of the film society, spoke about her organization, its mission and the event.
According to McSwain, the Amarillo Film Society is a nonprofit committed to bringing a juried film festival to Amarillo. She said that her organization wants to create workshops for those interested in filmmaking and film events for people who like to see movies, especially those who might not make it to the regular screens in Amarillo.
McSwain said that she has a background in theater and has been involved with starting a Montessori School and started a farmers’ market in south Texas before she came to Amarillo.
“When I came to Amarillo, when I realized there was not a film festival in the city, I asked others why there wasn’t one or if there had ever been one,” McSwain said. “I said I think that Amarillo needs a film festival because we have so many other art events, including an opera, a symphony and a little theater.”
McSwain envisions a yearly judged weekend event with films in multiple categories, from shorts and documentaries to feature-length films being shown. She said that her group is looking at several venues, with the Amarillo Art Institute being seen as a possible site. The hope is to launch in the fall of 2024.
She said many of the younger people who have attended the association’s meetings are very interested in workshops for the film industry.
The group’s first event was held during the Route 66 celebration, with more than 125 people showing up to see the documentary “Route 66: A Journey Through Texas” at the Golden Light Café and Cantina.
She said that the first event was to gauge interest in the city for the film society.
“That first event was very encouraging with so many people showing up on a rainy Monday night,” McSwain said.
McSwain said that when she found out that the RV from the film is located in Amarillo, she felt this would be a good film to show for the second event.
“This is a comedy, and I thought it would be a natural fit for our event,” McSwain said. “We want to show different genres and build up our audience, membership and participation.”
She said that the society has events mapped up through the end of the year, and membership in her association has grown to about 200 members in two months.
“We are very committed to diverse and inclusive groups of people in our society," McSwain said. “I am hopeful that with this event, we will have even more people show up for this free event spotlighting the love of film. Anyone that joins us now can be on the ground floor on what we are trying to build here in Amarillo,” McSwain said. “There is no limit to where we can go. Amarillo is an amazing town with a great diversity of arts. A film festival can significantly add to the city's culture.”
The “RV” screening is free to the public, with donations accepted. Doors open Thursday at 7 p.m., and the movie showing begins at 8 p.m. Guests should bring their own lawn chairs and snacks. The RV museum is located at 14501 Interstate Highway 27, FM 2219.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Film Society to host free screening of 'R.V' movie at museum
