As the lights dim in AFS Cinema on Friday, March 7, a new wave of student filmmakers will see their work projected on the big screen, marking a milestone in their creative journeys.
The 2025 UT RTF Longhorn Denius Student Film Showcase, a free public screening, will highlight a diverse selection of recent fiction, documentary and experimental films, providing students a platform to share their stories with the Austin community. For radio-television-film freshman Parker Reynolds, attending the showcase is an opportunity to glimpse his potential future.
“It shows me that if I work hard at what I do now, eventually my work could be showcased on a big stage like this,” Reynolds said.
Among the showcased filmmakers is Musila Munuve, a master of fine arts student whose 12-minute narrative short, “Madawa,” explores addiction and self-discovery through a semi-autobiographical lens.
“It follows a young man who tries (ecstasy) for the first time in the hopes of winning over a girl he has a crush on,” Munuve said. “It was based on experiences I had when I was younger, living in Nairobi.”
For Munuve, premiering “Madawa” at AFS Cinema proves more than just a screening — it’s a full-circle moment.
“One of the reasons I chose UT was its proximity to Richard Linklater, who was one of my favorite filmmakers coming into the program,” Munuve said. “Being able to showcase my work at AFS, which he founded, is a huge honor — one that wouldn’t have been possible without the Denius Showcase.”
Munuve said Austin’s growing reputation as a filmmaking hub makes student and independent filmmaking much more accessible.
“I think Austin is becoming a destination for filmmakers, and it’s a very friendly place to make films,” Munuve said. “That’s evident in how open locations are to letting you shoot there. I know that’s not the case in a lot of places or cities.”
For radio-television-film senior Angel Rodriguez, whose film, “Feliz Cumpleaños,” is based on his experiences immigrating to the U.S. with his mother at 7 years old, storytelling is an act of advocacy.
“What drew me into filmmaking was being able to amplify my community’s voice and use film as a form of activism,” Rodriguez said. “I see it as a way to highlight marginalized communities and people who aren’t often in the spotlight.”
Rodriguez said being part of the showcase is both exciting and validating.
“It kind of solidifies you as a creator,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a really great way to meet people, and it’s exciting to have so many eyes watching my work.”
For many students, opportunities like this showcase serve as a stepping stone in an industry that can be difficult to break into.
“I think the experience of this showcase is energizing,” Munuve said. “As a filmmaker, you face a lot of rejection — whether applying for grants or submitting to festivals, the journey often comes with a lot of no’s. Having a showcase like this is a big win. It gives you the wind in your sails to keep going.”
