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reel documentary fans

Texas Film Festival Calendar

In the state of Texas, you’ll find a vibrant tapestry of film festivals, including renowned namestakes like SXSW (South by Southwest). These festivals represent the diverse cinematic landscape of the Lone Star State. Whether you’re in the mood for groundbreaking independent films or major Hollywood premieres, Texas has something for every film enthusiast.

In addition to SXSW, other notable festivals in Texas include the Dallas International Film Festival, which celebrates a wide range of genres and provides a platform for emerging talent. There’s also the Austin Film Festival, known for its focus on storytelling in film and television, and the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, which bridges the gap between art and film.

For those interested in exploring the cultural diversity of Texas, the San Antonio Film Festival showcases both local and international films, while the El Paso Film Festival brings a taste of the border region’s unique cinematic perspectives.

Texas is not only a hub for film but also a land of rich cultural heritage and a dynamic arts scene, making it an ideal destination for cinephiles and filmmakers alike. Whether you’re drawn to the bustling streets of Austin or the cultural mosaic of Houston, Texas film festivals offer a multitude of experiences to ignite your passion for cinema.

2025-2026

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NOVEMBER

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Round Top Film Festival

Round Top Film Festival 2025: Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, this boutique event blends cinema, art, and southern culture. It showcases independent films and documentaries in an intimate rural setting that inspires creative exchange. Each screening invites conversation and community, reflecting Texas hospitality at its finest. Nov 6 – 9.

November

Colorful illustrated poster for the Life Is Shorts Festival 2025 featuring five vibrant Lotería-style cards against a deep maroon background. Each card displays lively Mexican-inspired imagery, including a dancer, heart, skull, and the number seven, with the words “La Vida Es Cortos” spelled across them. Text below reads: “Life Is Shorts Festival — November 28–30, 2025.”

Life Is Shorts Festival

Life Is Shorts Festival 2025: A lively celebration of short-form storytelling rooted in South Texas creativity and culture. The festival spotlights emerging filmmakers whose works capture emotion, humor, and imagination within just minutes. Screenings and panels invite audiences to experience how brevity can amplify cinematic impact. Nov 28 – 30.

november

Black-and-white image of a theater audience watching a film, with bold white text reading “Connecting Through Cinema” and smaller orange text showing “Nov 6–16.” The “Houston Cinema Arts Festival” logo appears in the lower left corner, symbolizing Houston’s annual celebration of film and the arts.

Houston Cinema Arts Festival

Houston Cinema Arts Festival 2025: A vibrant celebration of film and creativity that bridges cinema with visual and performing arts. It features groundbreaking independent films, documentaries, and multimedia performances that transform Houston into a hub for cultural connection and storytelling innovation. Nov 6 – 16.

NOVEMBER

Logo for Austin Indie Fest featuring a red, white, and blue diamond-shaped design with a red border. The words “Austin Indie Fest” appear in stylized red and white lettering, accompanied by a red film camera icon and a large blue star with a smaller white Texas silhouette in the background.

Austin Indie Fest

Austin Indie Fest celebrates independent filmmakers through screenings, panels, and networking in Austin, Texas.
It showcases diverse voices across film genres, from narrative shorts to experimental features.
The festival nurtures new talent and connects artists with audiences who value creative storytelling.
November 21-29, 2025.

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Round Top Film Festival

November 28-30

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Houston Cinema Arts

November 6-16

Colorful illustrated poster for the Life Is Shorts Festival 2025 featuring five vibrant Lotería-style cards against a deep maroon background. Each card displays lively Mexican-inspired imagery, including a dancer, heart, skull, and the number seven, with the words “La Vida Es Cortos” spelled across them. Text below reads: “Life Is Shorts Festival — November 28–30, 2025.

Life Is Short Film Fest

November 28-30

Logo for CineSol Film Festival featuring the word “CineSol” in bold white and yellow letters, with the letter “O” designed as a swirling orange and red sun. The logo symbolizes warmth, creativity, and the festival’s South Texas roots in Latino cinema.

CineSol

December 6-7

Promotional poster for Lost River Film Fest: A stylised image of the San Marcos River with silhouettes of film-reel bubbles floating above, overlaid with “Lost River Film Fest” text and event dates “Feb 6-8, 2026” in bold white on a deep teal background, evoking independent film, riverside setting, and creative community.

Lost River Film Fest

Feb 6 – 8

DECEMBER

Logo for CineSol Film Festival featuring the word “CineSol” in bold white and yellow letters, with the letter “O” designed as a swirling orange and red sun. The logo symbolizes warmth, creativity, and the festival’s South Texas roots in Latino cinema.

CineSol Film Festival

CineSol Film Festival 2025: A long-standing celebration of Latino filmmakers and diverse storytelling across South Texas. The festival highlights independent features, shorts, and documentaries that reflect cultural heritage and creativity. Each screening fosters dialogue and recognition for emerging voices in Hispanic cinema. Dec 6 – 7.

DECEMBER

Austin comedy film festival logo with wreath around it. Joker cat on a character.

Austin Comedy Film Festival

Austin Comedy Short Film Festival (ACSFF) 2025: A lively showcase dedicated to the art of short-form comedy and creative storytelling. The festival spotlights humorous shorts, dark comedies, and animated sketches from independent filmmakers worldwide. Audiences enjoy a mix of laughter, innovation, and networking with fellow creators. Dec 6 – 7.

Festivals In Texas

  1. 24fps International Short Film Festival: 24fps Festival, Abilene
  2. Asian Film Festival of Dallas (AFFD): Asian Film Festival of Dallas , July 13 – 16
  3. Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF): AAAFF July 22-24
  4. Austin Comedy Short Film Festival (ACSFF): Austin Comedy Short Film Festival, Austin, October 12
  5. Austin Jewish Film Festival (AJFF): Austin Jewish Film Festival
  6. Austin Music Video Festival: Austin Music Video Festival
  7. Austin Polish Film Festival (APFF): Austin Polish Film Festival
  8. Austin Under The Stars Film Festival: Under The Stars Film Festival. Austin Under The Stars
  9. Austin Youth Film Festival (AYFF): Austin Youth Film Festival
  10. Barshop JCC Jewish Film Festival: Barshop JCC Jewish Film Festival
  11. Boomtown Film and Music Festival: Boomtown Film and Music Festival
  12. Cine Las Americas International Film Festival: Cine Las Americas
  13. Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival: Cinema Touching Disability
  14. CineMarfa Film Festival: CineMarfa Film Festival
  15. CineSol Film Festival: CineSol Film Festival
  16. CineSpace: CineSpace
  17. Comicpalooza Houston: Comicpalooza Houston
  18. Corpus Christi 7-Day Film Project: Corpus Christi 7-Day Film Project
  19. Crossroads of Texas Film and Music Festival: Crossroads of Texas Film and Music Festival
  20. Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF): Dallas International Film Festival
  21. Deep In The Heart Film Festival: Deep In The Heart Film Festival
  22. Denton Black Film Festival (DBFF): Denton Black Film Festival
  23. DFW South Asian Film Festival: DFW South Asian Film Festival
  24. Downtown Tyler Film Festival (DTFF): DTFF
  25. EarthxFilm: EarthxFilm
  26. El Paso Film Festival: El Paso Film Festival
  27. Extremely Shorts Film Festival: Extremely Shorts Film Festival
  28. Extremely Young Film Festival: Extremely Young Film Festival
  29. Fantastic Fest: Fantastic Fest
  30. Femme Frontera Filmmaker Showcase: Femme Frontera Filmmaker Showcase
  31. Festival De Cine Latino Americano – Norte: Festival De Cine Latino Americano – Norte
  32. Films for the Forest (F3): Films for the Forest
  33. Flatland Film Festival: Flatland Film Festival
  34. Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase (FWIFS): Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase
  35. Frame4Frame Film Festival: Frame4Frame Film Festival
  36. Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival (GCFVF): Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival
  37. Hill Country Film Festival (HCFF): Hill Country Film Festival
  38. Horrific Film Fest: Horrific Film Fest
  39. Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival (HAAPI): HAAPI Film Fest
  40. Houston Caribbean Film Festival (HCFF): Houston Caribbean Film Festival
  41. Houston Cinema Arts Festival: Houston Cinema Arts Festival
  42. Houston Comedy Film Festival (HCFF)
  43. Ladies in Film & Television: Ladies in Film & Television
  44. Lake Travis Film Festival
  45. Literally Short Film Festival: Literally Short Film Festival
  46. Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF): Lone Star Film Festival
  47. Lost River Film Festival: Lost River Film Festival
  48. Main Street Film Festival at the Esquire Theater: Mainstreet Film Festival
  49. MPAC Film Fest: MPAC Film Fest
  50. Nacogdoches Film Festival: Nacogdoches Film Festival
  51. National Black Film Festival: National Black Film Festival

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