About the Contest

In Texas, cities and towns are more than just places on a map. They’re part of who we are and how we define ourselves. Over the years, Texas Monthly has written about every corner of the state, and in two special Where I’m From issues, in 2005 and 2010, the magazine’s writers and contributors shared their personal stories of growing up here.

This year, for the second time, we hosted the Texas Monthly Where I’m From Short Film Contest (in partnership with the Austin Film Festival) so that readers could tell us about the place they’re from, in ten minutes or less. We received many movies from all over Texas, some from filmmakers with moviemaking experience, some from rookies with a story to tell. We narrowed it down to these eleven finalists. We screened their films October 22nd at the Official Shorts Program at the 18th Austin Film Festival, and announced the winners. Watch their films here or the Rice Cinema, in Houston, at 3:00 p.m. on November 12.

2011 Winners

Grand Jury Winner:
El Valle
Writer/Director: Rick Gonzales

1st Runner Up:
Lyndon's Hills
Writer/Director: John Raven

2nd Runner Up:
I Heart S.A.
Writer/Director: Robert Gonzales

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