NOBELITY PROJECT & AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY ANNOUNCE NEW GRANT FOR FILMMAKERS
AUSTIN, TX (Nov 3, 2026) — The Nobelity Project and the Austin Film Society (AFS) invite the community to a reception and special 15th anniversary screening of Building Hope on Sunday, Nov. 22, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and followed by a program and screening at 6:30 p.m. at the AFS Cinema. The evening will include the Austin Arts Hall of Fame induction of Turk and Christy Pipkin and the announcement of the Nobelity Award, an AFS Grant for an emerging filmmaker in production on a socially-engaged documentary.
The Nobelity Project, an Austin-based global education and conservation nonprofit founded in 2005 by filmmakers Turk and Christy Pipkin, is winding down operations while finding new ways to continue its work and honor its legacy of bridging education gaps at home and abroad. The organization raised funds to create three feature films, support hundreds of education and conservation projects, and build all or part of 70 public schools in rural Kenya. The Nobelity Project is now raising funds to support the new Nobelity Award at AFS and three university scholarships. To give, www.nobelity.org/donate
The November 22 event will celebrate the Pipkins and their legacy with a screening of Building Hope, which chronicles the construction of Mahiga Hope High and the connection between a thousand people in the U.S. and an African community working to create a better future for their children.
Jim Ritts, CEO of the Paramount Theatre, will formally induct the Pipkins into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to the cultural, artistic, and creative life of Austin.
“The Nobelity Project showed what can happen when filmmakers use storytelling to change lives. The Nobelity Award will carry that spirit forward by supporting an emerging documentary filmmaker who is using film to make a difference.” – Rebecca Campbell, CEO, Austin Film Society
“With the help of the Austin community, we’ve tackled big challenges from building schools in Kenya to telling critical conservation and development stories through film. We’re grateful that this work will live on through the Nobelity Award,”– Christy Pipkin, Executive Director, Nobelity Project.
“Film has been our key tool to show what is possible. We hope the Nobelity Award helps an emerging filmmaker tell a story that inspires others to take action.” – Turk Pipkin, Creative Founder, Nobelity Project.
Event Details:
What: 15th anniversary screening of Building Hope, Austin Arts Hall of Fame induction, and Nobelity Award announcement
When: Sunday, Nov. 22
5:30 pm. Reception
6:30 pm Program and Screening
Where: AFS Cinema, 6406 N IH-35 Suite 3100, Austin, TX, 78752
Tickets: $15 – purchase at www.austinfilm.org/nobelity
About Austin Film Society
Founded in 1985 by filmmaker Richard Linklater, AFS creates life-changing opportunities for filmmakers, catalyzes Austin and Texas as a creative hub, and brings the community together around great film. AFS supports filmmakers from all backgrounds towards career leaps, encouraging exceptional artistic projects with grants and support services. AFS operates Austin Studios, a 20-acre production facility, to attract and grow the creative media ecosystem. Austin Public, a space for our city’s diverse mediamakers to train and collaborate, provides many points of access to filmmaking and film careers. The AFS Cinema is an ambitiously programmed repertory and first-run arthouse with broad community engagement. By hosting premieres, local and international industry events, and the Texas Film Awards, AFS shines the national spotlight on Texas filmmakers while connecting Austin and Texas to the wider film community. AFS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. More at www.austinfilm.org.
About Nobelity Project
Founded by filmmakers Turk and Christy Pipkin, The Nobelity Project is an education and conservation nonprofit that has made three feature films and dozens of short films on global problems and solutions. 25 years after beginning their work, the nonprofit is transitioning to its legacy mode, long-term university endowments and film grant funding that will continue their work for future generations.
MEDIA CONTACT: Will Mills, Giant Noise | will@giantnoise.com | 512-590-1861
