Austin, TX–On Friday, April 28, producers from Austin Community College invite you to the premiere screening of “Change in the Bend: The Story of the Stillwell Ranch.” This documentary follows the lives of a cattle ranching family in the Big Bend region of West Texas. Former Texas Governor Ann Richards, who knew Hallie Stillwell, introduces the film and Texas actor and rancher Barry Corbin, known for his roles in Lonesome Dove and Northern Exposure, provides the narration for the documentary.

The recently completed hour-long historical documentary examines the changing way of life of cattle ranchers in the Big Bend, particularly as seen through the eyes of the Stillwell family. Through interviews with three generations of Stillwells and their neighbors, and through the use of narration and period photos, the film documents a changing culture which has been vital to Texas’ history, economy and social fabric.

“We were very fortunate to get one of the last interviews with Hallie on camera and to get to know her family and neighbors,” said Alan Fisher, TV production specialist for ACC who wrote and produced the film. “They all brought different perspectives to what it takes to survive as ranchers in the Big Bend.”

Hallie Stillwell was a colorful character, a 99-year-old pioneer ranch woman who was something of a regional celebrity, but the stories of her family’s struggles, in both tragedy and triumph, are universal.

The production began in the fall of 1994 as an instructional segment for a History of the Southwest class offered at Austin Community College. ACC Professor Bill Montgomery and staff video producers Alan Fisher and Nancy Fritz Holden originally traveled to the Big Bend only to record a short interview with Hallie Stillwell about the history of the area. But the crew quickly discovered that the subject could be turned into an extended documentary.

“We were able to convince some very talented people to be involved in the project because they thought it was an important program to make,” said Fritz Holden, TV production specialist for ACC and producer of the film.

After spending a few days on the Stillwell ranch and in and around Big Bend National Park, the producers returned to Austin to write the script and raise funds to finish the program. A grant from the Trull Foundation enabled them to return to the area last summer and complete the shooting.

The screening starts at 8 p.m. at the Ritchery Brothers Building, located at 101 West Hwy. 90, across the street from the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas. The screening is free and open to the public.