Submissions for the Inaugural Christian Arts Film Festival (CAFF) opens on October 15, 2025. CAFF will be held in Austin Texas at the AFS Cinema on September 4-5, 2026.

The Christian Arts Film Festival is the festival where Kingdom Creatives unite in Austin, Texas. As the city’s only Christian film festival and its premier gathering of faith-driven storytellers, CAFF is a space where filmmakers, photographers, poets, podcasters, and artists come together to share stories that uplift, inspire, and lift up the name of Jesus. We have one mission and that is to elevate voices of faith through film and the arts.

Across two unforgettable days, the festival will feature:

-Screenings of powerful films and visual art that will take place on September 4 & 5, 2026.

-Insightful panel discussions with industry leaders and creatives of faith.

-Networking opportunities designed to spark life long collaborations and community.

-An awards ceremony celebrating Kingdom excellence in storytelling.

We at CAFF believe that this festival will be the beginning of a movement for Christian artist and filmmakers in Austin Texas and abroad.

Ticket purchases for CAFF will open in 2026.

Contact Information: info@christianartsfilmfest.com
This festival is presented in partnership with HumanKIND Fine Arts & Film Studio, LLC & the Christian Arts Collective Austin.

Awards & Prizes

Kingdom Creative Award (Best of Fest)

Best Narrative Feature

Best Documentary Feature

Best Short

Best of the Arts Category Award

Best Student Film

Best International Film

Best Podcast

Photographer’s Award

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:
Open to filmmakers, artists, photographers, podcasters, and creatives of all backgrounds whose work aligns with CAFF’s mission.
Student submissions must include proof of enrollment (student ID or official letter).
Just so you know, international submissions are welcome.
Works must be original and created by the submitting artist/filmmaker.

Genres Accepted:
Narrative (features & shorts)
Documentary
Student projects
Video podcasts
Visual art videos (including visual poetry, cinematic painting, music videos, spoken word). The visual arts category is intended for artists to tell a cinematic story while capturing their art in video format.
Photography (Must submit 5 original pieces). The selected winner will have the opportunity to exhibit their work during the festival on canvases no larger than 16x20 inches.

Faith-Centered Focus:
Submissions do not need to be overtly religious but should reflect values of hope, inspiration, and Kingdom impact.
Works that glorify profanity, gratuitous violence, or sexually explicit content will not be accepted.

Completion & Language Requirements:
Eligible works must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025.
All entries must be fully finished at the time of submission, including final edit, sound, color, and any visual effects. Incomplete or in-progress works are not eligible.
The festival reserves the right to determine eligibility based on the final completion date of the submitted version.
Non-English works must include English subtitles.

Submission Process:
Multiple submissions are allowed; each requires a separate submission fee.
Applicants must hold all necessary rights, including music and images.
By submitting, creators grant CAFF permission to use clips or images for festival promotion. (for selected works only)
Selected works must be provided in high-resolution digital format. Delivery instructions provided upon selection.

Submission Fees:
Student submissions may qualify for a discounted fee with valid student ID.
Fees are non-refundable.

Selection Criteria:
Submissions are evaluated based on, strength of storytelling, artistic vision, and overall production quality alignment with CAFF’s mission.

Notification:
All submitting artists and filmmakers will be notified by July 3, 2026.

Festival Scheduling :
All selected screenings, performances, and exhibits are scheduled at CAFF’s discretion. The festival may adjust the schedule as needed, and selected works may not be withdrawn.

Festival Awards:
Prizes will be awarded across all categories: narrative features, shorts, documentaries, podcasts, photography, and visual arts. Prize distinctions will be announced at a later date.
The Kingdom Creative Award (Best of the Festival) honors the submission that exemplifies outstanding artistic vision and powerfully reflects faith, hope, and Kingdom impact.