The Texas Film Hall of Fame honors Texans who have made a significant contribution to film or filmmaking, as well as non-Texans who have made significant strides in the advancement of the Texan film industry. Classic Texas films are also honored, with a member of the cast or crew accepting on behalf of their colleagues. New inductees are announced at the annual Texas Film Awards, organised by the Austin Film Society.[1]
The Hall of Fame and associated awards ceremony were co-founded in 2001 by Louis Black, the editor of The Austin Chronicle, and Evan Smith, Editor-In-Chief and CEO of The Texas Tribune and former editor of Texas Monthly.
For its first 11 years, the gala celebration was held at Austin Studios, the site of the city's onetime municipal airport, now converted into film production studios. In 2012, the Awards were held in downtown Austin at ACL Live at The Moody Theater.[2] From 2013 to 2017 the awards were once again held at Austin Studios, before moving to the newly-opened AFS Cinema in 2018.[3]
From 2002 to 2005 the gala was emceed by Ann Richards, the former governor of Texas, who died on September 13, 2006. The 2007 gala commemorated her death by celebrating her life and her passion for film, emceed by New York columnist and 2001 inductee Liz Smith. Other galas have been emceed by Turk Pipkin, Evan Smith, Dan Rather, Thomas Haden Church, Wyatt Cenac, Anjelah Johnson, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Luke Wilson, Mike Judge and Louis Black.
The 2003 ceremony included a tribute to Eagle Pennell, presented by Kit Carson. In 2016 Variety Executive Editor Steven Gaydos and the Austin Film Society’s Founder and Artistic Director Richard Linklater presented a tribute to mark the AFS's 30th anniversary.
The awards ceremonies include various other presentations, such as inducting new members to the Hall of Fame. The specific awards presented differs each year, but common ones include the Rising Star Award, the Honorary Texan Award and the Ann Richards Award. The Warren Skaaren Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented on three occasions: Mike Simpson (2001),[4] Jack Valenti (2002) and Michael Nesmith (2010).[5]
Between 2002 and 2015 each ceremony also honored a classic Texan film, initially with the Frontier Award and later by the Star of Texas and Creative Impact in Cinema awards. These awards were accepted by one or more members of the film's cast or crew.
Each ceremony includes the induction of several new members to the Texas Film Hall of Fame.