OK2BX Hosts Fourth Annual Film Festival, Expanding Event to Include College Fair and Workshops to Drive Student Growth

A regional leading film festival dedicated solely to student films returns for its fourth annual event on April 12th, with additional opportunities for aspiring student filmmakers.

DALLAS, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OK2BX Foundation, the Dallas-based organization with a mission to empower diverse communities through arts and cultural experiences, is hosting their fourth annual OK2BX Film Festival on April 12th at 6 PM at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. The event will showcase the finalist film submissions created by student filmmakers and present awards and scholarships to award winners. A new addition to this year’s Film Festival is the OK2BX College Fair and Film Workshop at Southern Methodist University, offering educational opportunities for aspiring filmmakers.

The OK2BX Film Festival celebrates the future of cinema, spotlighting the talent, creativity, and visionary storytelling of high school students. This year, the competition received over 100 submissions from 16 different states and five countries. The students’ films are judged in the categories of animation, inclusivity, kindness, LGBTQIA+, and smartphone. Each film is assessed by an expert panel of judges including Al Johnson, family and community services director at Resource Center; Chris Gardner, general manager of Texas Theatre; Derek Kompare, Associate Professor in the Division of Film and Media Arts at Southern Methodist University; Maureen Womack, owner of Rabbit Hat Promotions; DR Mann Hanson, founder of CinéWilde; and Steven Becker, executive producer of KERA’s “Think with Krys Boyd.”

“Today’s youth are seeking a creative outlet for their voices to be heard,” said Brent Bolding, co-founder of the OK2BX Foundation and producer of the OK2BX Festival. “The OK2BX Film Festival offers young filmmakers a space to share their perspectives on the world around them and the challenges they are facing. As more teens become interested in filmmaking we believe this is an excellent opportunity to provide them with the tools for success and share their craft with others. We are continually inspired by the talent and creativity the students present and look forward to our continued work of elevating Dallas as a creative hub.”

Additionally, this year OK2BX is launching their first-ever OK2BX College Fair and Film Workshop, sponsored by and hosted at Southern Methodist University from 10 am to 4 pm. The OK2BX College Fair and Film Workshop is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of filmmakers, giving them resources to thrive in this industry and empowering them to work towards their goals. The workshops will cover topics like getting films into film festivals, getting into a college film program, creating a YouTube series, budgeting a feature film, and working in media outside of Hollywood. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about film programs across the country through the college fair.

“The addition of the OK2BX College Fair and Workshops to this year’s Film Festival provides aspiring filmmakers with invaluable tools to refine their craft,” said Derek Kompare, Associate Professor in the Division of Film and Media Arts at Southern Methodist University and a four-time judge for the OK2BX Film Festival. “This year’s OK2BX Film Festival offers students hands-on experience and practical skills, preparing them to enter the field of film. The Festival’s focus on nurturing new talent, while promoting inclusivity, makes it a unique opportunity for young filmmakers.”

The 2025 OK2BX Film Festival is supported by Comerica Bank, Commerce House, Dallas Rainbow Counseling, Texas Health Resources, and Susan and John Wellik.

The 2025 OK2BX Film Festival, college fair, and workshops are all open to the public. Tickets for the Film Festival are available for purchase HERE and registration for the college fair and workshops is available HERE. Proceeds from the event benefit the OK2BX Foundation. More information on the Festival is available at https://ok2bx.org/ok2bx-film-fest/ 

About The OK2BX Foundation
The OK2BX Foundation connects people to the arts and diverse cultural experiences, in order to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusivity for all. OK2BX was founded in 2021 to honor Eleanor Bolding and carry on her legacy of inclusion, compassion, and understanding. The Foundation raises money to fund scholarships for graduating high school students who show a dedication to promoting kindness and inclusivity. By awarding these scholarships, OK2BX inspires the next generation of inclusive leaders and encourages them to continue spreading love and acceptance on college campuses and beyond. OK2BX believes that, together, we can create a more open and accepting society that celebrates our differences while recognizing the common humanity that unites us all. Learn more about the OK2BX Foundation here: https://ok2bx.org

SOURCE The OK2BX Foundation