By Philip Hadley
University News Service
November 26, 2007

Marc Speir

This year’s theme was “Austin-tatious Landmarks.” The contest invited amateur and professional filmmakers to compose short films about true Austin landmarks.

Speir’s three-minute film debuted on News 8 Austin throughout the day on Nov. 20. The film is a historical journey about Chateau Bellevue. It highlights the history of this mansion on Seventh Street and San Antonio Street in Downtown Austin. It was built in 1874 and modeled after the castles of Europe. Now it is home to the Austin Women's Club.

Speir said it was important for him to capture this historic structure so that people will not forget the true character of Austin.

"Cities like Philadelphia are losing their identities and calling it progress," said Speir, graduate student and Austin native. "I hope Austin doesn't go that way as the city expands in all directions with faceless strip malls and subdivisions--keeping Austin weird isn't just a state of mind, it's dependent upon our actions."

The Austin Women’s Club is a social non-profit organization and provides for the maintenance of the mansion. The club raises money to maintain it by hosting weddings, receptions, and is a meeting place for numerous organizations.

News 8 Austin, KLRU-TV and the University of Texas Humanities Institute judged the entries.  All entries will be donated to a permanent archive at the Austin History Center.

To view Speir’s winning submission visit www.news8austin.com/content/special _coverage/filming_austins_lives/?ArID=195596&SecID=520. For more information about the contest visit www.filmingaustinlives.com.