Austin Chamber of Commerce Chooses STLL STUDIOS to Honour Austinite of the Year
STLL STUDIOS creates documentary-style short for the Austin Chamber of Commerce, honoring Austinite of the Year 2026 recipient, Kerry Hall.
STLL Studios, an Austin-based production company specialising in high-quality narrative and commercial storytelling, was selected by the Austin Chamber of Commerce to celebrate this year's recipient, Kerry Hall, 2025’s Austinite of the Year. At the annual Austinite of the Year Ceremony, STLL Studios premiered a custom-produced celebratory film featuring heartfelt messages from Kerry’s friends, family, and Kerry herself for more than 800 people in the room.
Honouring the Spirit of Austin
Presented by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Austinite of the Year award is a prestigious honour recognising individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Austin community through leadership, service, and civic engagement. The award celebrates those who exemplify the 'Spirit of Austin.' This year’s honour was awarded to Kerry Hall in recognition of her dedication to the Chamber of Commerce, the banking industry, and numerous organisations throughout the Austin area.
A Story-Driven Approach
STLL Studios was brought onto the project to craft a film that highlighted what makes Kerry Hall an exceptional member of the Austin community. Director Allie Salinas and the STLL Studios crew focused on capturing authentic stories from the people who have worked closely with Kerry throughout her career.
As part of the production process, the team spent time at both the Austin Chamber of Commerce and Susser Bank, where Kerry built long-standing professional relationships, to interview colleagues and collaborators who could speak directly to her leadership, values, and impact.
Selecting the Right Voices
In preparation for filming, STLL STUDIOS worked closely with project partners to thoughtfully determine which voices would best reflect Kerry’s story. The studio’s process centred on identifying individuals with meaningful, first hand experience working alongside Kerry, ensuring that each interview contributed genuine insight rather than scripted commentary.
Bringing the Story to the Screen
The resulting documentary-style video, which debuted at Kerry Hall’s dedication ceremony, played a pivotal role in communicating her influence and legacy to attendees. Through thoughtful storytelling, experienced crews, and a cinematic approach, STLL Studios illustrated the meaning behind the Austinite of the Year award and why Kerry Hall was deserving of this recognition.
