A celebration of film in Fort Worth! Named one of MovieMaker Magazines "Top 50 Film Festival's Worth The Entry Fee" in 2015, for three consecutive years.

Past showcase films include:
JUST MERCY - A HIDDEN LIFE - THE GREEN BOOK - WIDOWS - THE SISTERS BROTHERS - THE IMITATION GAME - MR. TURNER - WILD - WINTER SLEEP - THE ARTIST - THE DESCENDANTS - SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK - AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY - NEBRASKA - IT FOLLOWS - SHAME - PHILOMENA - CAROL - LION - MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE

Past guests and festival honorees include:

Tim Blake Nelson - Waylon Payne - Lee Ann Womack - Jeff Nichols - Michael De Luca - Pat Green - Cybill Shepherd - Terry Allen - Jane Seymour - Clint Black - David Lowery - Don Henley - Malcolm McDowell - Bill Paxton - Joanna Kerns - Julian Schnabel - Billy Bob Thornton - Jeff Bridges - Robert Duvall - T Bone Burnett - Willie Nelson - Martin Sheen - Robert Rodriguez - Melonie Diaz - Ron White - Elizabeth Avellan - Lyle Lovett - Louis Black - Billy Joe Shaver - John Lee Hancock

“The Lone Star Film Festival shines brightly…Movie enthusiasts may come to Sundance Square this weekend to see anticipated national releases…but chances are good they will leave talking about the auspicious films with Texas ties.”
- The New York Times

The Lone Star Film Festival is held each year in downtown Fort Worth’s Sundance Square, which serves as the cultural and social center of downtown. Fort Worth is the 13th largest city in the nation, and the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex consistently ranks among the top five media markets in the U.S.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest Award
Best Feature Film Award
Best Documentary Film Award
Cine-Más Award
Audience Choice Award
Best Short Film Award
Best Texas Film Award
Best Student Film

Rules & Terms

1. We encourage submissions in the form of narrative feature-length films (90-120 minutes recommended), documentary feature-length films (60-120 minutes recommended), and narrative and documentary short-length films (under 30 minutes recommended). International films are also welcome but must either be in English or have English subtitles.

2. Films must be available for screening during the festival, November 4-8, 2020.

3. By submitting a film, you grant the Lone Star Film Festival & Society permission to screen your film, if said film is officially accepted into the 2020 lineup.

4. By submitting a film, you acknowledge that the Lone Star Film Festival DOES NOT PAY SCREENING FEES for accepted films.

5. By submitting a film, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your film (e.g. a trailer) to be placed on the LSFF website and used for other marketing and promotional purposes. You also agree to allow LSFF to promote the following year's festival with the above excerpts, highlights and/or trailers. LSFF will never solicit or screen your film outside the promotion of the LSFF.

6. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee.

7. The only acceptable way to submit your film is via FilmFreeway, as an online screener (Vimeo password protected link is recommended).

8. The selected works will be exhibited digitally (shorts only) and on DCP (features only).

9. In accordance with the LSFF policy, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of LSFF.

10. Filmmakers must have obtained all clearances for exhibition and must certify that the work is original and no disputes regarding ownership exist with the film.

11. All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway by August 10, 2020.

12. Notification of selections will be by September 23, 2020. Only then will the film be considered for awards. Please understand that acceptance in the festival will in no way guarantee that you, your actors or crew will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event. We do promise a good time, however.

13. Lone Star Film Festival accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of entries during shipment to or from the Lone Star Film Festival.

14. To be eligible for the film competition categories films, your film must not have previously screened in Fort Worth or the surrounding Dallas/Fort Worth area.

15. LSFF may choose to screen a submitted film out-of-competition during the festival if a category is filled.
30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Deanna Titzler

    Having screenings in a variety of film venues was an interesting way to engage the public attending the Fest.

    December 2019
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  • Shawn Cauthen

    It was a great experience to be apart of. It would have been nice to be able to talk with distributors but I understand the festival cannot control that.

    December 2019
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  • Brenden Hubbard

    Having made my second appearance at Lone Star Film Festival, I was once again impressed with everything about the festival. The screenings were packed, the staff crushed it and the networking was worth the trip alone. Thanks for sharing my films!

    November 2019
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  • Michael Piscitelli

    Such an amazing festival to be a part of. Top notch quality films, expansive events like panels and mixers, outstanding communication, a wonderful theatre, and support from the organizers as well as volunteers. This festival is worth buying tickets to even if you don't have a film in it.

    November 2019
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  • Meg Cook

    I loved the Lone Star Film Festival. The staff and volunteers were all incredibly warm and helpful. All communication leading up to the event was very prompt. Filmmakers got 2 All-Access passes, which was awesome! I loved the programming, and the short film blocks were really well grouped. The whole festival was incredibly organized, and everything seemed to run smoothly. The moderator during the Q&A panels were also very friendly, and I really enjoyed participating after my film had screened!

    November 2019
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