THE 2025 “STATE OF THE TEXAS MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY”
WIFT Texas Presents: The State of the Texas Media & Entertainment Industry
San Antonio to Host Influential Panels on Film, Media & Live Events on October 21st in the Heart of the City’s Beloved Downtown
SAN ANTONIO, October 6, 2025 – Women in Film & Television Texas (WIFT Texas) is proud to announce its annual “State of the Texas Media & Entertainment Industry” event, to be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at The Magik Theatre at Hemisfair, the reimagined site of the 1968 World’s Fair in downtown San Antonio where countless stories have been made, told, and where new stories will emerge and be shared on October 21, 2025.
This event is an expanded special episode as the season finale of the organization’s ongoing WIFT TX: Speaker Series. The Celestial Awards™ producers will make news on Tuesday evening by announcing the next round of its honorees from the storied stage of the Magik Theatre for its upcoming January 17, 2026, awards show at the Tobin Center for Performing Arts.
“Texas is no longer on the fringe of media and entertainment. Texas is the eighth-largest economy globally, and the Texas Media & Entertainment industry is reclaiming its marquee stage. With this annual ‘State of’ event, WIFT Texas brings together the creatives, the strategists, and the economic minds sculpting our industry’s next act,” said Ceslie Armstrong, CEO of WIFT Texas.
The annual “State of the Texas Media & Entertainment Industry” event is where Women in Film & Television Texas platforms visionaries, leaders, orators, and icons in the Great State of Texas who influence the media and entertainment globally and drive the economy in Texas. Featuring two expert panels, a Speakers Meet & Greet, and speakers from the fields of film, television, music, sports, live entertainment, and economics, the event is designed to spotlight Texas’s rising role in leading the creative economy.
“Today, human attention must be treated as a scarce commodity. Brands and organizations that are willing to lean into creative storytelling and cultural assets will win in this attention economy and ultimately drive economic growth,” said Ashley Landers, Principal and CEO of Texas Creative, founding member of WIFT Texas, producer of The Celestial Awards™
The expert speakers represent some of the top organizations in the State of Texas, including the Texas Film Commission, Texas 2036, San Antonio Business Journal, Department of Radio-Television-Film, Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin, Women in Film & Television Texas, Pro Sports Assembly, long game ventures, Magik Theatre, City of San Antonio Dept of Arts & Culture, San Antonio Film Commission, and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.
“We often call creative work ‘soft power,’ but in Texas, it’s also economic power,” said Eileen Kret, Vice President, WIFT Texas. “When we invest in stories, live events, and talent pipelines, the returns are not only cultural — they are financial, social, and generational. From Tejano music to digital infrastructure, from sports franchises to festival economies, every voice in this state matters in defining its media identity.”
SCHEDULE, TICKETS, SPEAKERS
5:00 – 5:30 Meet & Greet Speakers Reception for networking, conversations, and imbibing
Limited $30 tickets available, to benefit the Magik Theatre
The reception is expected to sell out, and advance registration is required
TICKETS: go.wifttexas.org/1021
5:30 – 7:30 at The Magik Theatre at Hemisfair (see ticket page for easy parking options)
Attendees are seated in the theatre to enjoy the speakers on stage
Ticketed event: free for WIFT Texas members / $15 for the public
THE MODERATED PANELS WILL EXPLORE:
“The Texas Media & Entertainment Industry Now and Future”
Ed Arnold – SA Business Journal
Merrill Davis – Texas 2036
Shelly Lares – Tejano Music legend
Alisa Perren– Department of Radio-Television-Film, Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin
Ashley Robinson – Texas Film Commission
Moderator: Ceslie Armstrong, WIFT Texas CEO
“Sport + Live Entertainment = Economic Development”
Laura Dixon – long game ventures, Pro Sports Assembly
Mel Zarb-Cousin – Magik Theatre
Krystal Jones – City of San Antonio Dept of Arts & Culture, San Antonio Film Commission
Chris Derby – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Justin Johnson – Acorns, MoonPay, Facebook
Moderator: Ceslie Armstrong, WIFT Texas CEO
ABOUT WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION TEXAS
Women in Film & Television Texas is the leading nonprofit membership organization chartered in 2023 for people working in the media and entertainment industry throughout Texas including members located throughout the United States and globally and advocates of the organization. The WIFT Texas mission and programming is dedicated to promoting equity for women in the Media & Entertainment industry at all stages of their careers, including students.
We are proudly an official chapter of Women in Film & Television International “WIFTI” which is a global network of more than 13,000 members and 50 partners and chapters located on six continents that for more than 50 years has been dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of media and entertainment.
WIFT Texas members represent a broad range of professions spanning the entire Media & Entertainment industry. From producers and directors to accountants and lawyers, above the line and below, in front of the camera or behind it, WIFT Texas is dedicated to helping women reach their highest level of achievement in media and entertainment. Memberships are also available for people who want to advocate, align with, and support the nonprofit organization. College students from across the state, individuals with an interest in learning about the industry, partner organizations, and corporate members are welcome. WIFT Texas’ mission includes building community across the industry while collaborating with other WIFTI chapters and partners and organizations in the region we serve.
Based in downtown San Antonio, Texas, Women in Film & Television Texas was founded by native San Antonian and Media & Entertainment veteran Ceslie Armstrong on November 11, 2023, at the invitation of the global organization.
To learn more about becoming a member, supporter, partner, and the programming slate including The Celestial Awards™, visit WIFTTEXAS.ORG or email hello@wifttexas.org
ABOUT THE CELESTIAL AWARDS™
The Celestial Awards™ honor trailblazing women of achievement in the media and entertainment industry, recognizing excellence across all verticals. The awards show will take place on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at The Tobin Center’s world-class H-E-B Performance Hall in downtown San Antonio, following the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ on January 15th and 16th. Actress and producer Renae Treviño will host the high-profile, entertainment-filled awards show.
ABOUT THE PRODUCERS SOCIETY
By joining the Producers Society of Women in Film & Television Texas as an annual member — you are not only supporting programming like the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ and The Celestial Awards™ honoring women of excellence in all verticals within the Media & Entertainment industry — you are aligning yourself with our statewide and global organization founded in Hollywood in 1973 with over 13,000 members globally. The Producers Society members enjoy exclusive benefits and experiences aligned with the WIFT Texas annual slate of programming, live events, experiences, and excursions.
ABOUT THE TEXAS MEDIA+ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT™
The Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ is a bold, future-facing two-day gathering of top voices, visionaries, and industry leaders taking place 15–16 January 2026 at the prestigious Tobin Center in downtown San Antonio. Presented by Women in Film & Television Texas (WIFT Texas), this premier event offers a powerful yet accessible platform for professionals across film, television, music, digital, and live entertainment, representing all verticals including sports, culinary, performing arts, and more. This summit is where seasoned and emerging media gather to connect, collaborate, and chart new territory — together. Anchored by rich programming including keynote interviews, dynamic panels, and curated networking experiences, the summit takes place in the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater under the theme “Storytelling Big as the Texas Sky” designed for meaningful dialogue, inspiration, and making relationships.
The Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ executive team, producers, and curators are accomplished media professionals who have helmed national conferences, major productions, and industry-leading initiatives. The Texas M+E Summit serves as the powerful prelude to The Celestial Awards™second annual awards show on Saturday, January 17, which honors trailblazing women of excellence in Media & Entertainment. Proceeds benefit WIFT Texas, the member organization that has created these premium platforms for all Women in Film & Television International recognized chapters to participate in while supporting, elevating, and connecting women working across the media and entertainment landscape. Headquartered in San Antonio and officially recognized by the global WIFTI network, WIFT Texas champions women in every stage of their careers, from emerging creators to established icons, and this Summit is where that energy comes to life.
To inquire: partners@wifttexas.org
To learn more about becoming a member, supporter, partner, and the programming slate including The Celestial Awards™, visit WIFTTEXAS.ORG or email hello@wifttexas.org
To Contact our CEO Ceslie Armstrong directly: ceslie@ceslie.com
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Media Contact, The Celestial Awards™:
Mary Moore: editorial@wifttexas.org