SAVE THE DATE
THE FOURTH ANNUAL COASTAL BEND MUSIC (AND FILM) INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM IS HERE
Here’s what to expect!
This free event for musicians and industry professionals will offer resources through panel discussions by the Texas Music Office, national organizations like SESAC & BMI, along with the best of the coastal bend music industry.
The Coastal Bend Music & Film Industry Symposium (CBMFIS) celebrates the people and ideas shaping the next era of South Texas creativity.
This one-day event brings together musicians, filmmakers, producers, educators, and business leaders for a day filled with insight, inspiration, and connection, all centered on growing the Coastal Bend’s creative economy.
CBMFIS gives local talent direct access to industry professionals who share real-world strategies and emerging trends from across today’s entertainment landscape. Through panels, workshops, and networking, attendees gain practical tools to grow sustainable careers and creative businesses.
When the arts thrive, the entire community moves forward!
Event Highlights Include:
• Panel Discussions & Workshops: Expert speakers from across the music industry will share insights on topics such as digital distribution, marketing for independent artists, tour management, songwriting, and music publishing. Industry veterans will also dive into the challenges and opportunities of the evolving landscape for musicians.
• Networking Opportunities: Attendees will have the chance to connect with music industry professionals and peers to build collaborations, exchange ideas, and foster relationships that can propel their careers forward.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Participants can engage directly with panelists and speakers, asking questions and seeking advice on specific aspects of the music industry.
It is completely free to register. Sign up at the link below and stay tuned for more updates!
PANEL SESSIONS (MUSIC + FILM)
FILM TRACK
FILM SESSION 1 —
Budget Like You Mean It: How to Map the Money Before You Roll Camera
A fast, practical breakdown of how to build a realistic film budget from crew rates to contingency. Learn the essential line items, common mistakes, and how to scale your project without sinking it.
FILM SESSION 2 —
Show the Work, Get the Money: Modern Strategies to Fund Your Film
Learn today’s most effective funding methods—pitch decks that convert, grants, investors, proof-of-concepts, and creator-driven crowdfunding. Walk away with a clear plan and a funding checklist.
FILM SESSION 3 —
Ready for the World: How to Prep Your Film for Real Distribution
A practical guide to making your film “distribution ready.” We’ll cover deliverables, music clearance, contracts, QC standards, artwork, and the must-have materials that help your film travel.
FILM SESSION 4 —
Where Your Film Goes Next: Inside Today’s Distribution Marketplace
A candid look at how films are really reaching audiences now—festivals, licensing, streaming models, and international sales. Hear directly from industry voices on positioning your film for acquisition.
MUSIC TRACK
MUSIC SESSION 1
From Stage to Door Sales: The Real Economics of Live Shows
A clear, honest look at how venues and artists make money. Learn how door splits, production costs, and promotion work—and how both sides can build sustainable, mutually beneficial shows.
MUSIC SESSION 2
Your Music, Your Rights: PROs, Sync Deals, and the Future with AI
Learn how PROs track and pay artists, how sync licensing works, and how AI is reshaping rights and royalties. Includes direct access to music-rights professionals for one-on-one questions.
MUSIC SESSION 3
Your Band Is a Brand: How to Market Yourself in Today’s Music Scene
A practical guide to building a brand that gets you booked—visual identity, EPKs, social content, promo cycles, and collaboration strategies that move the needle.
MUSIC SESSION 4
Leveling Up: When (and Why) Bands Need Managers & Agents
Learn what managers and agents actually do, when artists need them, and how to prepare for professional representation. Includes real-world insights into scaling from local to national stages.
JOINT SESSIONS (MUSIC + FILM)
BREAKFAST SESSION
Human Bingo Icebreaker
A fun, fast networking warm-up to kickstart connections across music and film.
LUNCH SESSION
Nothing Creative Happens in the ER: Staying Safe On Stage and On Set
A blunt, practical conversation about safety in high-pressure creative environments. Covering fatigue, hazards, mental health, emergency planning, and the habits that keep people protected.
