The 17th annual Lone Star Film Festival is the premier film festival held in the 12th largest city in the nation, Fort Worth. In-person screenings, Film Talks, and parties return in 2023.

Past showcase films include:
LIVING - BUTCHER'S CROSSING - JOCKEY - THE HUMANS - 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:
Taylor Sheridan - Ryan Bingham - LaMonica Garrett - Channing Godfrey Peoples - Ethan Hawke - Richard Linklater - Michael Martin Murphey - Paul Schrader - 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

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest Award
Best Feature Film Award
Best Documentary Film Award
Cine-Más Award
Audience Choice Awards (Feature & Short)
Best Narrative Short Film Award
Best Documentary Short Film Award
Best Texas Film Award
Best Super-Short Short 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 60 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 in November 2023.

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 2023 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. 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.

9. 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.

10. All entries must be submitted through FilmFreeway by August 25, 2023.

11. Notification of selections will be by September 22, 2023. Only then will the film be considered for awards.

12. Being an accepted film does not guarantee eligibility for awards. Films may screen out-of-competition at the discretion of our programmers.

13. Lone Star Film Festival does not offer paid transportation or lodging for the event.

14. Lone Star Film Festival accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of exhibition screeners (DCP, thumb drives, etc) during shipment to or from the Lone Star Film Festival.

15. To be eligible for a film competition category, your film must not have previously screened in Fort Worth or the surrounding Dallas/Fort Worth area.

16. LSFF reserves the right to screen a submitted film out-of-competition during the festival if a category is filled.

17. LSFF follows all State and Federal guidelines for Covid-19 protocols.

18. Selected Films will be provided two (2) All-Access Passes, and a small allotment of complimentary tickets to the 2023 Lone Star Film Festival in November.
50 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Christopher Fitzpatrick

    Few festivals can pack in as much as this festival does. From tours to parties and post parties, happy hours, all within walking distance in the Ft. Worth Stockyards. I didn't see a bad film and the screenings were well attended. The festival reached out to assist with press and the local media was happy to oblige, enough so that our film OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN was handed the Audience Choice award.

    Definitely worth a submission fee if you are an indie filmmaker trying to crack into the DFW market. 5*

    March 2023
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  • Mollie Mulvey

    This festival was overall an amazing experience. They were so well organized and hospitable to both the filmmakers, as well as general attendees. Anderson and Chad have a wonderful passion for indie film and filmmakers which can be felt in every aspect of the festival.

    December 2022
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  • Michael Charron

    This was our first time attending the festival and we were blown away. Well organized, great communication, and we screened with a fantastic block of films. Can't recommend it enough!

    November 2022
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  • David Merritt

    Very well run. Great city and has even better people. They support indie films.

    November 2022
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  • Matthew Black

    A great festival all around. Highly communicative with some amazing venues and networking opportunities! A great slate of films. We'll definitely be submitting here again.

    November 2022
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