Tito's Vodka Mogul Takes a Shot at Film with THIS SIDE OF THE DIRT

Tito Beveridge, owner and founder of Tito's Vodka, and all around Renaissance man, (from geophysicist to microdistilling pioneer,) wrote a play that was first produced in Austin, TX in September of 2015. That play then became a film directed by filmmaker Ty Roberts made with a small budget and stellar director and crew in Austin. The film is now picking up steam as it recently played at the Sonoma Film Festival with Tito in attendance (who threw one hell of a film party with yes, lots of vodka.) More about the film and Tito's involvement below but let me know if you would be interested in chatting with Tito about his project and new found interest in film.

About This Side of the Dirt

This Side of the Dirt was born from the mind of no other than Tito Beveridge. He pieced together a story based on characters in his own life and others that he simply dreamed up. Writing about the subjects that interested him most -- family, friends, land and philosophy - he tinged this all together with a little South Texas flair to create This Side of the Dirt. Tito's love of these characters drives his narrative through the ups and down of life and family - touching upon those hard hitting moments when we are our weakest then building back up to our best and oftentimes funniest. Most of all This Side of the Dirt is about love and family and the importance of telling it like it is and knowing that in the end it will all work out like it should. The film stars Jennifer Caplan, Wray Crawford, Jonna Juul-Hansen, Mark Hernandez, Beth Shea and Jae McCain.

About Tito Beveridge

Tito's Handmade Vodka founder and master distiller Bert "Tito" Beveridge is a true pioneer in the world of microdistilling - in fact, it's a world he helped create. A native Texan and entrepreneur, Tito was born in San Antonio and attended The University of Texas in Austin, where he earned degrees in both Geology and Geophysics, with a minor in Math. His professional life began as a Geophysicist, working around the globe at jobs in and out of the field, including dynamite-blasting oil reserves, sub-surface mapping, processing seismic data, analyzing ground water, and even at one time, as a mortgage banker. The varied life and career experiences gave Tito a unique perspective on time, forecasting, planning, finance, and the ability to understand people from all walks of life. In the early 1990s, Tito enjoyed infusing flavored vodka in his spare time, creating much-loved (and much-requested) batches for friends. It was soon after Tito decided to create his own vodka company. In 1997, Tito fought to create the permit process in Texas to establish his legal right to open the state's first distillery. Without investors, any formal training, and on a tiny budget, Tito began to create his dream. "I listened closely to the advice of those who advised me to start small, saying, 'Try to own your hometown, then, if you do that, try to own your home state, then if you do that, try to own your home country,'" recalls Tito.

It took the company more than eight years to turn a profit, but today, Tito's Handmade Vodka is one of the fastest-selling and fastest-growing microdistilleries on the market and remains one of the purest spirits available. When not walking the distillery floor and testing each batch, Tito enjoys riding dirt bikes, fishing, listening to, writing and playing music, traveling throughout Texas and doing something creative . However, he still counts his biggest hobby as selling vodka. Tito lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and three children.

About Ty Roberts

Ty Roberts is a Texas filmmaker whose work has been produced and seen around the globe. Ty studied under Werner Herzog at the Rogue Film School and previously graduated from the University of Texas. Over a 15 year period Ty worked in the film business in Argentina and Mexico. Returning home to Austin in 2011 Ty co-founded the concert film Production Company, TourGigs where he has directed dozens of shows for bands like The Head and The Heart, The Strokes, The Avett Brothers, John Bon Jovi, Willie Nelson, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Bingham, Janes Addiction and Alabama Shakes. Also as director Ty's short films - Sobre la Estepa & Luz del Mundo - have shown at festivals including the Cannes Short Film Corner, Guadalajara, Lucerne, Guanajuato and the Cartagena Film Festivals. In Argentina Ty worked as a producer for Walt Disney developing Magical Patagonia for the Disney Nature division. He also produced the award winning documentary The Path of the Condor narrated by Viggo Mortensen which sold to Discovery Networks. This summer Ty will be begin principle photography on his second feature The Iron Orchard based on the novel about a young, brazen wildcatter in West Texas circa WWII.