Michelle Randolph Faires

Besides a founding member of the Becoming Leslie crew, productions have included the feature documentary on the legendary Broken Spoke dancehall, Honky Tonk Heaven that premiered at SXSW 2016 and earned an Audience Award. She was part of the producing team for Stand Up Empire (PBS, KLRU) a series showcasing the expansive comedy scene in Austin, Texas. Michelle has managed and been a part of multiple crowdfunding and fundraising events. including Leslie, Honky Tonk Heaven, A Song For You: The Austin City Limits Story, and Curious George Documentary. She recently helped develop a nationwide film contest that incorporated multiple partnerships with the Corpus Christi Visitors Bureau, Corpus Christi Film Commission, Production For Use and the Texas Film Commission resulting in the short Goodbye Sirena screening at several festivals that included Austin Film Festival. She is currently in production on the feature Fugitive Dreams, as well as a feature documentary about criminal justice reform.

Michelle began her career in production with the Austin Film Festival as the Festival & Conference Hospitality Coordinator before being invited to join the staff full-time as the Outreach and Community Coordinator, producing various programs such as the Membership program and the Dell Children's Hospital Summer Film Series. She worked for aGLIFF, as the Volunteer Coordinator and Festival Manager, later serving a full three year term on the Board of Directors. She loves building community through film and besides serving on multiple panels, has created the very successful San Antonio Filmmakers Happy Hour, a monthly networking event that encourages diversity and collaboration for all skill levels in the greater SA area.