Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Creeggan-Ríos.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) elevates Houston stories by supporting filmmaking and the arts. Our goal is to uplift the importance of film as an accessible device for storytelling and raising awareness; we work to empower regional and underrepresented filmmakers, and to showcase Houston’s diversity and cultural riches via community programs that highlight the intersection of film with other art forms and global issues. HCAS is creating an infrastructure for Houston filmmakers and film lovers to find projects that they are passionate about, connect and engage with each other, and make it possible for film production and film exhibition to have a strong foundation in Houston.
Houston Cinema Arts Society staff includes Executive Director Katie Creeggan-Ríos, Community Partnerships and Programs Manager Rachael Valentine Acosta, and Marketing and Administrative Associate Autumn Johnson.
Katie Creeggan-Ríos has been with HCAS for four years, serving first as General Manager and taking the role of Executive Director in early 2024. She is a native Houstonian and worked professionally as a Stage Manager for ten years before transitioning into the world of arts and community engagement through film. She received her B.F.A. in Stage Management from the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance, and her M.A. in Arts Leadership from the University of Houston College of the Arts. She is also a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Houston is a massive metropolitan hub full of a myriad of cultures and communities. You can find any food, festival, and artistic opportunity here in this city. The people are friendly, but they also have a scrappy, stubborn, do-it-yourself mindset. Some of what makes Houston a great place to live, work, and visit also provides our biggest challenges as artists and arts organizations. The sprawling nature of our city has created a historical culture of silos. There’s a lack of centralized resources and cohesive messaging about Houston arts opportunities. This fragmented landscape is particularly problematic for the film and media sector, which is severely underserved in the region. There is no existing infrastructure or pipeline for film and media professionals in Houston to collaborate, grow, and sustain careers. As a result, many local talents are forced to leave the city in search of opportunities in New York and Los Angeles, exporting our amazing creative talent for other cities’ benefit. Houston Cinema Arts Society is focused on eliminating the scarcity mindset and the perceived lack of resources. Through strategic partnerships and amplification of Houston artists, HCAS will create a central resource for anybody in Houston who wants to make or watch great movies.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) was conceived in 2007 when former Mayor Bill White created a task force of cultural leaders spearheaded by arts philanthropist Franci Neely to stimulate film culture in Houston. HCAS received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in September 2008 and launched its first large-scale film festival in November 2009. HCAS continues to focus its mission on expanding Houston’s film culture, and making Houston a hub for innovation in film and media.
The Houston Cinema Arts Festival (HCAF), held annually in November, stands as the largest international and independent film festival in Houston. This multi-venue event features a diverse array of programming, including over 50 narrative, documentary, and experimental films. Attendees can also enjoy innovative video and media installations, live multi-media performances, panel discussions, filmmaker workshops, and free student field trip screenings.
HCAF presents several unique programs, such as the CineSpace short film competition, which is a collaboration with NASA and challenges filmmakers to make a short film utilizing footage from the NASA archives. The Houston Short Film Series highlights local talent and showcases short films from the Greater Houston area. Additionally, the Borders | No Borders narrative and documentary short film competition amplifies emerging artists from Texas and the surrounding regions.
Beyond the festival, HCAS is dedicated to engaging with the creative community through various initiatives throughout the year. These include the Houston Media Conference, the Admit One Analog Showcase, the Texas Film Spotlight, Impact Screenings, and industry networking events. HCAS aims to build meaningful partnerships and provide ongoing opportunities for both filmmakers and film lovers.
Houston is a hub for creativity and artistic production, technological innovation, and groundbreaking stories from diverse communities. Our local creative economy can sustain a strong film culture and an internationally recognized film festival. We are dedicated to engaging in meaningful partnerships with creative individuals and organizations across Houston; including opportunities for filmmakers and film lovers throughout the year.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
The Houston Cinema Arts Festival, which takes place annually in November, is the largest international and independent film festival in the City of Houston. This multi-venue festival includes narrative, documentary, and experimental films; innovative video and media installations; live performances; panel discussions; networking events; and filmmaker workshops. In 2024, with the theme “For the Rebels” the Cinema Arts Festival hosted 52 unique events over 11 days; this included 27 feature films, 43 short films, 5 performances, 10 networking events, and 7 classes and workshops for filmmakers. The Festival supported over 80 artists, including 45 filmmakers from Texas, 12 Texas premieres, and 22 different countries represented. Through the Cinema Arts Festival, HCAS is driven to develop an equitable, sustainable film industry that benefits the city both artistically and economically.
Pricing:
- $50: Annual Membership
- $250: Festival All Access Pass
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cinemahtx.org
- Instagram: cinemasocietyhtx
- Facebook: cinemafestivalhtx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/houston-cinema-arts-society/posts/?feedView=all
- Twitter: cinemahtx
- Youtube: cinemahtx
