For Cindy Weigand, starting Georgetown’s first film festival was not easy but something she said she knew she had to do.

“People were depending on me and trusted me to make this work,” Weigand said. “If you see an interest and you have an interest yourself, you just have to keep going.”

After two years of setbacks, the inaugural GTX Film Festival takes place in various Georgetown venues from April 5-7. The festival features more than 20 hours of films by local and international indie filmmakers; panels including one on the relationship between directors and producers and another on how to succeed in an audition; and a pitch competition in which individuals will get feedback on script ideas.

Weigand got the idea for the festival after attending a similar event at Southwestern University in November 2015. Weigand, an author and screenwriter, said she wanted to help others in the film industry with an event that would allow for entertainment, networking and learning while benefitting Georgetown.

GTX Film became a nonprofit in 2016 and planned to host its first film festival in fall 2017 until Hurricane Harvey hit and the public’s focus diverted toward aiding those in need, Weigand said.

Weigand said the nonprofit tried to organize the event the following year but was unable to raise enough money.

This year, Weigand said the festival has found its footing with the formation of a five-person board of directors headed by Delenor Wilson, president of Fifstar Inc., a local cabling and IT management service company, and moving the festival to April to compete with fewer area events held in October, such as the ACL Music Festival and the Austin Film Festival.

“Georgetown is a great place. It’s a fun town, and people like to come here,” Weigand said. “[The festival] just brings people to Georgetown and exposes Georgetown to a different audience.”

Weigand said the festival would bring economic benefits to the city as attendees, particularly those from out of town, will need lodging and food, and some may even shop in local stores.

Weigand said the organization is working to keep the festival affordable to allow for more people to attend. Tickets range from $15-$80 and can be purchased at event venues or at www.gtxfilm.org.