The 30th season of KERA’s Frame of Mind television program, showcasing work from independent video makers and filmmakers in Texas, is underway.
Frame of Mind is produced by Bart Weiss, a co-founder of Dallas VideoFest and the Video Association of Dallas, and presented by Art&Seek.
Though it is a local production, PBS member stations in the state will also be hosting the programming this year, KERA News reported. As a result, more Texans will have access to the television program this year than in previous years.
Weiss shared that the films and episodes shown offer a diverse range of stories.
“For 30 years, we have been showing the films of Texas filmmakers on ‘Frame of Mind.’ But only if you were in the footprint of KERA’s signal. Now, these diverse stories of Texans can be seen statewide. The films take us deeper into the stories of our neighbors, all done with unique styles and a Texas flair. Watch, and change your frame of mind,” Weiss told KERA News.
The 30th season airs each Thursday at 10 p.m. from October 6 to December 15.
Bill Young, the vice president of television programming at KERA, stated that this year’s features give Texas viewers a look at the past, present, and future of the state.
“Several films in this year’s lineup speak to our present and future by giving a deep understanding into our past,” Young said. “We are extremely excited to be able to share this year’s series with a statewide audience throughout Texas.”
The 30th season features nine episodes. The first, titled “Love in Unexpected Places,” featured two different films: “Honk” and “Down Home.”
“Honk” is a documentary about a goose dumped in a park and rescued at the start of COVID lockdowns, directed by Cheryl Allison. “Down Home” is a short documentary directed by Riley Engemoen and Liz Moskowitz, telling the story of a sleepaway camp for adults with special needs.
Other episodes include a mix of narrative films, animation, documentaries, visual poems, and experimental videos.
The season consists of episodes titled “The Texas Life,” “Family Stories,” “Crossing Borders,” “The Artistic Spirit of Texas,” “Figuring It Out,” “Reel Texas Stories,” “Myth of a Colorblind France by Alan Govenar,” and “The Little Glass Slipper.”
Films submitted could be a maximum of 57 minutes long, according to the Film Freeway program page. Submissions had to be about Texas, have a Texas producer or director, or be filmed in Texas. Filmmakers who were selected were given a one-time payment of $10 per minute.
“This season will showcase a diverse range of Texas filmmakers as they explore various aspects of our rich Texan culture,” the website shared. “The films highlight the joys of connecting with others, the distinctiveness of our vibrant heritage, and provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the shared bonds and history of our state.”
