HOUSTON – Houston’s art scene is always evolving, and one local woman is helping further that footprint after winning big at a New York film festival.
Houston writer and producer Maya Perrin recently won Best TV Pilot at the NYC TV Festival for her web series “Happy Hour,” a mockumentary-style show inspired by her more than 10 years in the hospitality industry and created to spotlight Black creatives in the genre.
“I submitted my work, the pilot to my web series ‘Happy Hour,’ probably back in August of 2025, and then in December I found out that I was one of the few selected to be included in the festival,” Perrin said. “Last month in January was the award ceremony and the screening… and to my surprise, I won Best TV pilot.”
Perrin said filmmakers from around the world were in the room.
“There were people there from like Salem, from Germany… it was a big melting pot of all cultures,” she said. “It was like a shock for me, because when you submit something, it’s not about winning for me, it’s really just like putting myself out there.”
She said “Happy Hour” was born from her love of shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation,” and her desire to see more Black culture reflected in that space.
“In the mockumentary world, I saw that I didn’t have a lot of representation of Black creatives or Black culture,” Perrin said. “So I just thought, hey, let me bring my own personal experience to it. It’s really been a dream come true.”
Since releasing the show, Perrin said support from Houstonians has been overwhelming.
“Strangers have popped in my DMs, they’ve been so supportive, and they are honestly looking to build community just like I am,” she said. “It is small here, but I think it can be big if we all just work together and lean on each other.”
Perrin is now working on new episodes of “Happy Hour,” expected to drop around April, including one featuring a celebrity guest. Her advice for aspiring creator? Start now.
“I know it’s cliche, but just do it,” she said. “Work with what you have, everything is not going to be perfect, but there’s always someone watching you. Do whatever creative idea comes to your mind. It will get better once you keep doing it. Believe in yourself.”