“This festival is more than just a screening; it’s a launchpad for young creatives.”

Madeleine Beck
Festival Lead
Pegasus Film Festival
…on what makes the 10th Anniversary edition of the Pegasus Film Festival special, as 64 films from DFW students and young filmmakers worldwide prepare to screen June 20-22 at Angelika Dallas and the Majestic Theater.

Ten years in, the Pegasus Film Festival has figured out how to make young filmmakers feel like the stars they hope to become.

Led and organized by high school students, this year’s anniversary edition promises red carpet moments, industry panels, and a “taste of Hollywood” experience complete with photographers and interview crews. This year’s 64 selected shorts span everything from Korean-American cultural identity in Savanna Chun’s “Jjigae” to the companionship tale “Sunny Days” from New Zealand’s Maxwell Andrew.

The festival’s programming blocks aim to tell stories that matter. The “Light & Loss” block features India Anne Mitchell’s suspenseful documentary “Guiding Light,” covering the mysterious kidnapping of Polly Klass and its lingering impact 30 years later. “Between the Lines” showcases Syrus Gupta and Aria Kutty’s “Burgers & Butter Chicken,” exploring the cultural juggling act of an Indian-American girl living between worlds.

Then there’s the “Late Night” block, designed to keep audiences gripping their seats with films like Alex Marczewski’s “Brains,” a comedy horror about a zombie substitute teacher doing his best not to blow his cover—or eat his students.

But the festival’s crown jewel moment happens Saturday, June 22, at the historic Majestic Theater. Director Cierra Glaudé—known for “P-Valley,” “The Chi,” “Queen Sugar,” and “Riverdale”—will receive the inaugural Pegasus Inspiration Award.

Taking place just days after Juneteenth, the celebration recognizes Glaudé’s boundary-breaking work that celebrates Black and queer voices, honoring the legacy of Black storytellers who have shaped cultural consciousness through art.

Between screenings at Angelika Film Center Dallas, students will attend screenwriting workshops, participate in Q&A sessions with industry veterans, and connect with industry professionals who understand what it takes to turn filmmaking ambitions into careers. The festival organizers hope it’s the kind of real-world preparation that transforms festival attendees from hopeful creators into working filmmakers.

As festival lead Madeleine Beck puts it, “We want to give students real opportunities to share their work and connect with professionals who can help them take the next step in their careers.”

For tickets and more information, go here.

Gallery: Pegasus in pictures

A curated peek at the student films lighting up the screen this year—from emotional dramas to inventive animation.

In “A Test Through Time,” a stressed-out student finds perspective when she’s transported to the 1800s—and discovers just how far education has come. Directed by Ciara Palmieri. [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

A boy, his dog, and a loyal friend weather a chaotic world together in “Sunny Days,” Maxwell Andrews’ heartwarming story about resilience and companionship. [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

A taste of her mother’s Korean stew sparks memories—and reconnection—in Savannah Chun’s “Jjigae,” a quiet tribute to family, food, and identity [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

Caught between childhood nostalgia and the weight of teen expectations, “Stuck” by Vishwajit Yogaraj explores what it means to feel trapped in your own life. [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

Students at Sachse High School storyboard their way through “The Making of Arcadia 9,” a documentary on how animation becomes teamwork, craft—and cinematic magic. [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

A young Indian-American girl navigates the divide between cultures—one bite at a time—in “Burgers & Butter Chicken,” directed by Syrus Gupta and Aria Kutty. [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

In war-torn winter Kyiv, a red glove in the snow becomes a clue in Maryna’s search for a missing girl in the mystical detective story “Adult,” directed by Elina Myshanych. [Still via Pegasus Film Festival]

Editor’s note: Film content was not reviewed by Dallas Innovates. All images provided by Pegasus Film Festival.

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