Connecting People, Inspiring Stories, Welcoming All.

Flatland Film Festival is more than just a celebration of cinema—it’s a platform for connection, creativity, and storytelling. Held in Lubbock, Texas, the festival is dedicated to enriching the cultural dialogue of West Texas and beyond. With a diverse lineup of short films, features, documentaries, animations, and more. Flatland offers filmmakers the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions and collaborate with fellow creators.

Nestled in the heart of Lubbock’s Cultural District, Flatland provides filmmakers from all over the globe the chance to showcase their work in a vibrant, welcoming environment. Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established professional, the festival is the perfect place to share your stories, ignite meaningful conversations, and connect with an audience that celebrates every voice.

Flatland is proud to honor Lubbock’s rich legacy as a hub for music and the arts, while bringing global filmmakers together to explore diverse themes and experiences. Beyond the screenings, the festival fosters creative exchange, continuing Lubbock’s tradition of nurturing the arts and cultivating lasting bonds within the filmmaking community.

The 23rd Annual Flatland Film Festival will accept short film submissions from all genres for our 2026 festival, taking place September 24-26. In addition, the festival is excited to accept feature film submissions that spotlight stories from Texas and the Southwest region. The festival committee will select one feature film from these submissions to be featured at the 2026 Flatland Film Festival!

Entries will be accepted until June 30, 2026.

Awards & Prizes

Short Film Awards
The Flatland Film Festival celebrates excellence in short filmmaking with the following categories:

Up on the Caprock Awards (BEST IN FEST - SHORT FILM)
- Narrative: $200
- Documentary: $200

Lone Star Legacy Awards (BEST DIRECTOR)
- Narrative: $100
- Documentary: $100

Lubbock Lights Award (BEST PERFORMANCE)
- Narrative: $100

Flatland Favorite (AUDIENCE CHOICE)
- Narrative OR Documentary: $150

Feature Film Award
High Plains Hero
From submissions highlighting Texas and Southwest Region stories, the festival committee will select one feature film to be showcased at the 2026 Flatland Film Festival.
The selected feature film will also receive a cash prize of $150.

Filmmaker Perks
Accepted filmmakers will receive two full-festival passes, which include:
- Access to all festival screenings
- A filmmaker swag bag
- Invitation to the Red Carpet Reception and Afterparty
- Entry to the Filmmakers Networking Event
- Access to the Flatland Awards Ceremony and Afterparty

Rules & Terms

Film Duration: Short films must have a runtime of 25 minutes or less. Films shorter than 25 minutes are especially encouraged to allow for a more diverse program.

Submission Format: Submit an unlisted or password-protected Vimeo or YouTube link to your film. If selected, you’ll be asked to provide a brief synopsis, production stills, a Pro-Res export, and a film poster.

Eligibility:
Films must be the original work of the filmmaker(s).
Filmmakers must hold all necessary rights. The festival is not liable for any rights issues.
No premiere status is required.
Films must be either in English or subtitled in English. Foreign language films without subtitles will not be considered.
Films previously screened on television or available publicly online are ineligible (password-protected links are acceptable).
Entry Fee: All submission fees are non-refundable. Each entry requires its own fee.

Film Selection & Notification:
Selections will be notified by July 28, 2026.
If selected, you must acknowledge your acceptance within 14 days. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the selection.
Exhibition Format: If your film is selected, you must provide a digital file (.mov or .mp4) for exhibition.
The deadline to receive all digital files is August 28, 2026. Films not received in this format by this date will not be screened during the festival.

Festival Rights:
By submitting, you grant the festival permission to screen your film if selected.
You also grant the festival permission to use excerpts, posters, and promotional materials from your film for marketing purposes, both during and after the festival.
The Flatland Film Festival reserves the right to change programming and the screening schedule at its discretion.

Additional Notes:
We accept submissions in all genres.
You may submit multiple entries, but each must have a separate fee.
The festival does not cover transportation or lodging costs, though discounts may be available closer to the event.
Filmmakers are encouraged, but not required, to attend the festival.

21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dariush Jafari

    ✨ Congratulations to Fatland Film Festival for creating such a high-quality and inspiring platform for filmmakers. The organization, programming, and spirit of the festival are truly remarkable. Proud to have been a part of it! 🎬❤️

    September 2025
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  • Andrew "Andy" Chu

    We are so grateful to the Flatland Film Festival for honoring Life Support with the Lubbock Lights Award for Best Performance. Even though we couldn’t attend in person, we truly felt there in spirit thanks to the warmth and professionalism of the organizers. The programming was thoughtful, the communication was professional and welcoming, and it was clear this festival is built on passion and love for independent cinema.

    A heartfelt thanks to the committee, staff, and volunteers for creating such a memorable experience and celebration of film. We’ll be submitting future work with the hope of attending in person, and we’ll be encouraging other filmmakers to do the same. This is a festival that truly values its filmmakers and its community.

    September 2025
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  • Christopher Duthie

    I loved screening my first film, Self-Tape, at Flatland Film Festival! The festival team was kind, responsive and communicative leading up to and after the festival. My team and I were unable to attend in person but they made us feel included in the whole process. Highly recommend!

    September 2025
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  • Saeed Javadi

    Thank you for your great film festival.

    September 2025
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  • Alina Levshin

    Thank you for beeing selected for the festival.

    October 2024
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