For up and coming filmmakers at ETSU, highly regarded film festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival are just a dream.

Although these filmmakers haven’t quite reached that level of prestige yet, nothing is holding them back from success.

Katherine Williams, who graduated from ETSU in December, recently won first place at the 2016 Broadcast Education Association Film Festival in the music video category.

Her work, along with several others, will be showcased as this year’s Made in East Tennessee Film Festival at 7 p.m. March 29 at Real to Reel Theater in Johnson City.

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This is the fifth annual festival hosted by the ETSU Radio, Television and Film program in the university’s department of mass communications.

“This is an exciting year because our students’ work is out in the world, screening internationally and winning awards, and now we will be screening their films locally on the big screen,” said Shara Lange, the director of the RTVF program.

Ines Galiano, another student featured in the festival, has screened films at the Barcelona Planet Film Festival, the Roma Cinema DOC and the Miami Independent Film Festival.

She also has had her work shown at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, which just came to ETSU on its annual tour on March 19.

Tickets for the festival are $3 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. There will also be a silent auction to help raise money for the Tom Headley Student Production Award. The award recognizes the festival’s outstanding film projects.

A screen-cap from a film featured in last year's Made in East Tennessee Film Festival at Real to Reel Theater. / Contributed

A screen-cap from a film featured in last year’s Made in East Tennessee Film Festival at Real to Reel Theater. (Contributed)

Headley was the founder of ETSU’s broadcasting program, and he retired in 2010.

Along with the Tom Headley Student Production Award, several other awards will be presented including: the Audience Award (sponsored by Spark Plaza and Digital Fridge), the Spirit of East Tennessee Award (sponsored by High Road Digital) and the Innovation Award (sponsored by Quantum Ascension).

For more information on the event, Lange can be contacted at 423-439-7572 and langes@etsu.edu.