Our purpose is to enable a cross pollination of artistic genres that inspire a network of creativity, stimulate unexpected connections and celebrate artistic vision. By bringing together artists, industry professionals, visionaries and patrons of all ages for a 3-day annual event.

The event is promoted by the Sealy Main Street Program. Sealy Main Street Chairs, Planners and Volunteers are proud to embrace the arts through this annual fundraising event.

We are seeking diverse films, music videos, artwork, photography, bands, dance teams, and chefs that spark the imagination, engage the emotions and entertain patrons of all ages. Through FilmFreeway you can submit your short films, documentaries, features, animation, music videos, and student films from all over the world that have the pioneer spirit of cinematography and filmmaking.

Live music, Live interactive art, Live Chef competitions and Dance Teams will also be performing and competing in our historic downtown district of Main Street.

Don't miss this chance to showcase your hard work and collaborate with other artists from across the State of Texas and beyond!! Come to Sealy Texas and let your hard work shimmer!! 

The event will benefit:

1. Artists of all types and genres, connecting them with an audience and social media following. Inspiring creation through exhibition, healthy competition, demonstration and interactive presentations. Bringing imagination to life.

2. The Sealy Main Street Program as an annual fundraiser to sustain an economically vital historic downtown. Supporting small, independent businesses. Revitalizing and preserving important local historic assets and local quality of life.

3. Educational or Artistic foundations to fundraise, promote and support the arts within the community. Students can submit their artistic creations for auction and/or competitions with an opportunity to obtain scholarships or monetary awards towards their future.

4. Tourism in the City of Sealy and Austin County with an annual event that draws people to the area, enabling local shops, area businesses and artisans to supply and market their products to a wide audience.

5. Renew and revive our small town by building passion towards revitalization through small artistic projects each year as a buildup to the annual event. Cleaning up and beautifying local grounds, signs, buildings, parks and more.

Filmmakers whose films are chosen for live screenings and competition finals will have the option to attend all three days of screenings and other artistic events culminating in an awards ceremony. Nomination clips and artwork will be used for a greeting ceremony and/or the awards ceremony.

Those selected for screening will be required to submit an EPK and a file format of MP4.

Awards and Categories for 2022 where:

Best of Fest
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film (Drama)
Best Short Film (Comedy)
Best Short Film (Horror / Suspense)
Best Photography
Best Experimental

Award categories for 2023 are expected to be the same (but may change as the date gets closer)

Open to the public and the world. We will accept films and music videos from anyone that can create a good quality film or artistic production. All submissions must either be in English or have English subtitles. All films or music videos must be submitted through FilmFreeway to be eligible. Submitters must have full rights to submit their film or production. BOTA Sealy retains the right to use all or part of your submission to advertise the festival on social media as well as in local media venues. Those selected for the film screenings will be required to submit an EPK and a file format of MP4.

All films or productions must have all music, image, and video clearances completed by the filmmaker(s) of the submitter. Once submitted, there are no refunds. We do not accept works in progress. Final cuts only for competition. Works in progress could be selected for a panel discussion. Any film or production submitted will be judged "as is".

Students - only one film or production - multiple submissions are not permitted. Please choose your best work and submit a scanned copy of your student ID or a letter indicating the name of your school, college, or university. If you do not include the required information with your submission, it will be rejected. You can send this to info@sealyBOTA.com

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • C. Davidson

    It was a thrill to screen our film near Houston (our hometown) as a capstone to our festival run. Thank You, BOTA Sealy, for selecting our film and for hosting such an excellent event!

    October 2022
  • The fine folks at the BOTA Sealy festival put together a truly unique festival of a wide variety of art forms. All the staff are friendly and care about each and every person attending their festival. They curated a great line up of films for the festival too filled with great artists and quality work! Got some good opportunities for networking with other filmmakers as well. Attending you wouldn’t think this was their first year run because they thought of everything. I’d highly recommend submitting and attending this hidden gem of a festival that will continue to improve and expand their ambitious festival!
    - Tyler Mann

    May 2022
  • My team and I are honored to have our film, SEDALIA, selected and screened at the Inaugural BOTA Sealy Battle fOr The Arts! Combining various art forms: music, dance, painting, culinary arts, and film, the festival was well organized and super fun! I love the festival's setup and can only see it getting bigger and better each year.

    Whether you're a filmmaker, painter, musician, or even a vendor, I highly recommend submitting your work to this up-and-coming festival! Thank you again, BOTA Sealy, for the opportunity to screen and be part of such a wonderful event. I look forward to visting Sealy again!

    Sedalia (2021): "Best of Fest Short" and "Best Short Horror/Suspense" BOTA Sealy (2022).

    May 2022
  • thank you for everything
    sincerelly

    May 2022
  • A wonderful film festival combined with a great overall arts event. Well organized and a pleasant vibe.

    May 2022