The San Marcos Arts Commission celebrated its 13th annual SMarts Awards, honoring artists and arts advocates who have made significant contributions to the community. Two individuals and two organizations were recognized for their efforts to enrich San Marcos’ cultural life, strengthen the local arts scene, and promote volunteerism and community engagement.
Acclaimed filmmaker, Jeffrey Brown of Wimberley, was one of the two individuals to receive the award at the October 9 ceremony.
Brown is the head of Big Day Pictures and an acclaimed filmmaker whose awardwinning features and documentaries span Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. His work has been featured at major festivals including Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca and SXSW, and is distributed through platforms such as Netflix, HBO, PBS and Hulu.
In San Marcos, Jeffrey curates the First Tuesday SMTX Film Series and leads Czech That Film Texas, bringing diverse films and filmmakers to local audiences. A SXSW Documentary Mentor and educator, he regularly conducts masterclasses and provides hands-on opportunities for emerging filmmakers, enriching the region’s cultural landscape and nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
Among his long list of accomplishments, he is the co-director, along with Paul Collins, of the multi-award-winning film “Yakona,” a stunning visual journey of the San Marcos River from its headwaters in Spring Lake to the sea.
To learn more, visit bigdaypictures.net.
