A cultural ecosystem for storytelling and film
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Q1 2026
GIANT
1957
PARIS, TEXAS
1984
FANDANGO
1985
THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQIUADES ESTRADA
2005
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
2007
THERE NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
2007
THE PLACE
The landscapes surrounding Marfa, Texas have long been a draw for filmmakers, writers and artists.
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THE OPPORTUNITY
Yet while the town is an international art destination, film is completely missing from the current cultural scene.
The town was once home to the Palace and Texas theaters on Main Street. The shuttering of the historic theaters decades ago has meant the loss of a “third space" for both locals and visitors.
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A BIG SCREEN UNDER BIG SKIES
For forty years, the lights have been dark. Fête Marfa is bringing the magic of film back to Marfa, Texas.
Fête Marfa is a nonprofit dedicated to restoring one of the historic theaters in Marfa to a working, state-of-the-art movie theater that supports an environment for filmmakers, performers, and artists, a film festival, and year-round public programming.
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Marfa, Texas
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LOCATION
THE PALACe
Built in 1904, the Palace was originally an opera house as well as the only theater between El Paso and San Antonio. It was for whites only until desegregation in the 1960s.
Entertainment included grand balls, country dances, concerts, orations, revival meetings, graduations, and skating. Silent films were shown as early as 1917, and films continued to show until the early 1970s, when the theater closed
THE TEXAS
Less has been recorded about the Texas Theater across the street. For most of its history, it was the “Mexican Theater” screening exclusively Spanish-language films.
It was also the theater where director George Stevens screened dailies for Giant with his cast. Which means Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean shared these seats with the Hispanic population of Marfa, who would have been forced to sit in the balcony if they wanted to see Giant at The Palace.
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THEATER HISTORY
THE ROADMAP
Building the foundation
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PHASE I
Governance & momentum
Non-Pro fit Formation
Establish a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Board of Directors (completed / in progress)
Path to Purchase
Finalize Right-to-Use and First Right of Refusal for the Palace Theater (completed)
Community Engagement
Launch Spring 2026 public screenings and the #SaveThePalace community campaign
PHASE Ii
Acquisition & infrastructure
Purchase
Acquire the Palace Theater
Remodel & Restore
Execute architectural preservation and modernize for cinema and live performance. Partner with the City of Marfa to revitalize the neighboring park
Hospitality Partners
Secure a mission-aligned operator for the on-site theater cafe & bar.
THE ROADMAP
Activation & stewardship
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PHASE Iii
Programming & revenue
Launch + Monetize
Reopen the Palace as a working cinema and performance venue. enue and cafe. Drive growth through ticket sales, memberships, and merchandise
Festival Reboot
Announce the return of the Fete Marfa Film Festival.
Collaborations & Par tnerships
Execute programming partnerships with industry leaders like Metrograph or Alamo Drafthouse
PHASE Iv
Legacy & education
Endowment Fund
Establishing an endowment fund to ensure long-term operational stability
Education Programs
Partner with Texas universities for local workforce development and arts programs
Project Archival
Preserve original works created on-site in collaboration with cultural institutions
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CINEMA PROGRAM
The theater will be renovated as a full-time, commercial movie house.
When not in use for festivals or educational programming, the theater will operate regular film slates. Care will be taken to create programming that is welcoming and accessible to Marfa’s majority Hispanic population, especially given the recent history of segregation.
First-run screenings of contemporary features
Revival screenings, retrospectives, and local showcases
Kid-friendly, family-oriented programming
Community series (Spanish-language films, LGBTQ, student films, etc., etc.)
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Fête Marfa and the theater will support a vibrant ecosystem for multi-generational education.
Programs
Summer camps, screenwriting labs, and high school & college internships
Lecture Series
Visiting lecturers from film, literature, journalism & the arts
Institutional Partners
Partnerships with public schools and universities in Texas and beyond
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THE FÊTE MARFA FILM FESTIVAL
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THE FESTIVAL
A four-day annual event that honors cinematic storytelling across all genres and forms.
A world-class program of screenings from narrative features and documentaries to short films, experimental hybrids, and local voices.
Nightly events and a dedicated filmmaker lounge are designed to foster intimate networking and creative collaboration.
PARTNERSHIPS & RESIDENCIES
We’re not alone: this is a cultural ecosystem in the making.
Fête Marfa aims to expand Marfa’s creative landscape by partnering with existing institutions and university programs.
Fellowships & Residency
Establish annual residencies for filmmakers, writers, and musicians through strategic alliances with premier institutions like the Michener Center, SXSW, and Ballroom Marfa
Cultural Relevance
Reclaim the creative momentum once driven by the Lannan Foundation and CineMarfa to ensure Marfa remains a premier global destination for artistic production.
Dynamic Models
Utilize a flexible, year-round cohort structure that balances focused solo retreats in the off-season with high-impact collaborative labs during peak periods.
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TEAM
Our team is an experienced group of art and film industry veterans, local stakeholders and doers who are ready to build.
Clark Childers
BOARD CHAIR
Filmmaker and entrepreneur based in Marfa, Texas, and a co-owner of The Lincoln Marfa Hotel. He has served as a Festival Coordinator for the Marfa Film Festival and brings experience in film production, arts programming, hospitality operations, and nonprofit leadership.
Adam Walton
BOARD SECRETARY
Co-owner of The Lincoln Marfa Hotel and a professional actor with experience in independent film production. He brings expertise in hospitality operations, creative production, and arts-based community initiatives..
Fatima Anaza
BOARD TREASURER
Fatima Anaza is a Marfa-based resident engaged in a wide range of local cultural and civic initiatives. She contributes a community-centered perspective and supports the organization’s commitment to local engagement.
Bret Anthony Johnston
DIRECTOR, MICHENER CENTER
Director of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas. A celebrated writer and teacher, he will contribute to the development of a creative, writing-based residency program supporting writers of all genres.
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Vance Knowles
DIRECTOR, BALLROOM MARFA
Creative Director of Ballroom Marfa, a contemporary art organization in West Texas. He brings experience in nonprofit arts administration, cultural programming, and artist support.
Barry Tubbs
ACTOR
Actor, director, and producer with a long-standing career in film and television. He contributes industry knowledge, creative leadership, and experience supporting independent arts projects.
Lilliana Fields
ARCHITECT
Experienced architect based in Marfa, Texas. Her work focuses on historic preservation, sustainable design, and architecture rooted in regional context.
Lauren Fowlkes
REAL ESTATE AGENT
Licensed real estate agent based in Marfa, Texas. She provides the board with local market knowledge, property stewardship insight, and experience in community-focused development.
Future Staffing
Development Director
Progam Coordinator
Facilities Manager
Executive Director
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OPERATING MODEL
While our non-profit model will target grant funding and donor relationships, Fête Marfa will also generate sustainable revenue on its own.
Outside Capital
• Engage cultural philanthropy foundations (eg. NEH, National Trust)
• Develop branded donor tiers
• Form alliances with AFI, SXSW, Austin Film Society
• Host fundraisers at historical theaters in major cities
In-House Revenue
• Ticketed nightly screenings
• Concessions, bar & merchandise
• Seasonal film passes / memberships
• Festival tickets • Event rentals
NOW
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THEN
RESTORATION
How we we think about the restoration phasing and approach.
Acquiring a theater is the first step. Marfa’s abundance of artists and craftsmen may provide in-kind donations for restoration materials and labor. We also hope to get all projectors and equipment donated. Even as a shell, we plan to host events and screenings, allowing people to witness the theater’s evolution and participate in the process.
PHASE
ESTIMATED COST
Theater Acquisition
$800,000
Minimum Viable Product
$800,000
Phase II: Lobby & Main Theater Restoration
$1,000,000
Phase III: Upper Floor Restoration
$500,000
JOIN US
For the first time in decades, the historic Palace Theater is for sale. This is a once-in-a-generation window to bring cinema back to Marfa.
$800K enables Fête Marfa to secure the theater today, preventing commercial redevelopment and ensuring it remains a permanent community asset.
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